John O'Sullivan at Donnybrook
Whatever young Vasya Artemiev goes on to achieve in life, he won't easily forget yesterday's game at Donnybrook, nor will those in the 4,500 crowd present who were fortunate to witness one of the great schoolboy individual performances at the venue.
Artemiev scored three tries, none of the social welfare variety where there is nothing more taxing demanded than catching a pass and ambling over unmolested. The Russian-born schoolboy sped through the cluttered corridors of midfield, subtlety changing angles and pace for the first two while for the third he sashayed past five players on a slaloming run.
He proved Blackrock's saviour on an afternoon when Gonzaga came closing to living rather than simply dreaming the dream of a cup final success. They rattled their opponents to their back teeth, leading 11-5 with just 15 minutes remaining. It was a wonderful effort full of character, spirit and a fierce commitment to each other.
At times they rode their luck, on other occasions played with an intelligence and structure that belied their tender years. None epitomised their virtues more than captain Simon Murphy: but for Artemiev's tour de force, the Gonzaga captain's display would have grabbed the headlines.
He kicked two penalties, neither of which was straight-forward, and scored a try, contributing all his side's 11 points. The try came on 44 minutes with his side leading 6-5. Second row Dan O'Sullivan collected a loose kick, stepped inside the first tackler and released Murphy with a short pop pass.
The centre burst through the first line of defence and the next 50 metres was a foot race; none proved quicker. His exertions probably caused him to lose a little rhythm on the conversion. Gonzaga supporters raised the decibel levels appreciably but their joy was to be quashed within 90 seconds.
Artemiev, who had earlier looped outside outhalf Luke Fitzgerald, stumbled and then hit the afterburners to outpace the cover for a fine try, arrived again through the same hole - Fitzgerald demonstrated wonderfully soft hands for the pass - and this time his angle took him under the posts. Gonzaga had been undone by training ground precision.
Six minutes later and the Russian wing gave his side some breathing space, again coming off the blindside wing to appear in midfield before jinking past several defenders.
It was a far cry from Blackrock's first-half performance, more measured, less frenetic and less error-prone.
Scrumhalf Dave Moore provided an impeccable service, captain David O'Connor, David O'Brien, John Manahan and Niall Morris conspicuous in carrying ball. For Gonzaga fullback Mark Kelly, Donagh O'Shea, Sam Hodgins and Stephen Ryan enjoyed some high-profile cameos.
In the end though it was Artemiev who took a cracking contest by the scruff of the neck and in the process become the most famous Russian wing since Prince Obolensky.
SCORING SEQUENCE
21 mins: Murphy penalty 0-3
Half-time: Blackrock 0, Gonzaga 3
39: Artemiev try 5-3
40: Murphy penalty 5-6
44: Murphy try 5-11
46: Artemiev try, Fitzgerald con 12-11
52: Artemiev try 17-11
BLACKROCK: C O'Toole; N Morris, S Rogers, E Cody, V Artemiev; L Fitzgerald, D Moore; J Allen, D O'Brien, W Kavanagh; P Ryan, E Costigan; A Cullen, D O'Connor (capt), J Manahan. Replacement: E Fleck for O'Toole (45 mins).
GONZAGA: M Kelly; P Lynn, M Appleby, S Murphy (capt), S Ryan; S Gahan, W McGreal; J Conlon, D O'Shea, J Moriarty; J Gethings, D O'Sullivan; S Corcoran, S Hodgins, G Fitzgerald. Replacements: C McKinney for Conlon (41 mins); B Kelly for Corcoran (43 mins); J O'Sullivan for Appleby (54 mins).
Referee: A Baird (Leinster).
