TRADITION dies hard in schools rugby and it reasserted itself yet again, at Lansdowne Road yesterday, when Blackrock College, the most successful and potent force on the schools scene, retained the Leinster Senior Cup. They captured their 62nd title by defeating Newbridge, 37-3.
Not since the first year of this century, when Blackrock defeated Corrig School 63-0, has there been a more comprehensive victory in the final. Ironically, exactly 50 years ago, Blackrock defeated Newbridge 28-3. That had been the most decisive victory in the last 50 years until yesterday.
Through the years Blackrock College has sent out some very accomplished asides. After this excellent display, the current team can also be put in the quality bracket. Newbridge, for all their full hearted resolution, just could not match their combination of power, flair and opportunism.
At times during this season's competition, Blackrock seemed inhibited by a conservative approach, perhaps burdened by the expectation of emulating their predecessors. But they reserved the best until last. They decorated yesterday's triumph with a superb display of all purpose rugby. Unfortunately for Newbridge, they just had no answer, however hard they tried in the task of containment. The performance given by Blackrock was as good as I have seen at schools level, while their tactical appreciation was as perceptive as it was productive.
Playing with an appreciable wind in the first half, Blackrock took 13 minutes before registering the first score a penalty by out half Neil O'Donovan. He took over the kicking duties when centre David Quinlan, their frontline kicker, was carried from the field after just four minutes. If O'Donovan is not as accomplished in the art of place kicking as Quinlan, his play in the out half position was extremely good. He read his brief in an accomplished manner, while he enjoyed, a quality service from his half back partner, Ciaran Scally.
Blackrock's backs were all proficient and Shane Kelly proved a most able deputy for Quinlan.
Mind you, they got a great service from a tremendous pack. There was quality in every facet of the Blackrock pack's play. Their line out work was excellent, with Robert Casey and Leo Cullen dominant, and their rucking and mauling was of the highest calibre. The manner in which Blackrock recycled the ball bore the quality stamp.
One left the scene with profound sympathy for Newbridge. They tried their utmost to stem the tide up front Brian Flanagan, Eric Behan and Cathal Whelehan did their best to try and contain Blackrock. Their half backs, Jim Ferris and Geordan Murphy, never got the platform on which they might have been able to trouble their rivals.
Blackrock had the game won by the interval, by which time they had built a 20-0 lead. Following O'Donovan's penalty, the opening try came three minutes later when David Johnson touched down after a very good movement. O'Donovan converted. Blackrock stood 10 points clear and were on their way. O'Donovan added a try in the 24th minute and Kelly a third just on half time. That third try was a real killer for Newbridge.
Murphy kicked a penalty for Newbridge three minutes into the second half. With the wind at their backs and their forwards striving to match the Blackrock pack, they held their opponents scoreless for 23 minutes. But they could never seriously trouble the winners.
Blackrock finished the match as they had the first half, with a three try blitz in the closing 12 minutes. Michael Price, Woods and Cullen got the touchdowns, one of which O'Donovan converted. A six try tally was telling testimony to Blackrock's quality and supremacy.
