McClafferty's late chase yields Blackrock victory

Just when it seemed certain that Newbridge had done enough to knock the 'Rock, this tense and superbly played Junior Cup semi-final was decided on one simple twist of fate.

With just 30 seconds left at Donnybrook, a routine clearance kick was blocked and chased by Blackrock flanker Shane McClafferty. To the amazement of everybody who witnessed it, he carried on down to the line and crushed the Newbridge party just as they prepared to celebrate.

That for sure was the deciding score. And while substitute Morgan Crowe managed to double the difference with his try deep into added time, both sides know just how finely balanced was the outcome. Throughout the hour, there was nothing more than inches in it.

From the first couple of minutes it was clear the sort of rousing affair that was in store. Always flowing, at times electric, there wasn't a moment when either side let the pace significantly slacken. Led by the driving forwards David Snell and Anthony Kavanagh, it was Newbridge who took the early hold, and worked up well-struck penalties by full back Barry Flanagan and Kavanagh in the opening 12 minutes.

The early problem for Blackrock was the loss of ball among the backs, making it difficult for them to get into the oppositions half. After quarter of an hour, they started clicking a little better with centres David Nyhan and captain Ryan Walsh making the most notable breaks.

At all times the Newbridge blocking was sustained and effective. But when Blackrock scrumhalf Cillian Willis ran a short-range penalty, followed by a succession a rucks they were facing real danger. After running another quick penalty, Nyham picked up the pass to sneak over for the opening try. Michael Kavanagh converted and Blackrock were 7-6 in front just in time for the turnaround.

When Kavanagh kicked his first penalty for Blackrock four minutes after the restart, it appeared the game was about to fall into the predictable pattern. Not so.

Newbridge regained their composure, probing for the opposition's line with heightened ambition and also dealing confidently with a couple of Blackrock counter-attacks. David Kerin and Eric Tully both lifted their game in the forwards and, entering the final 10 minutes, Flanagan kicked far down the touchline to set up the score that restored their lead.

Awarded another penalty, the ball was quickly passed through hooker Liam Jacobs and finished with prop Ian O'Connor crashing over the line. Flanagan missed the conversion but it didn't seem to matter. Newbridge were a point in front and looking stronger all the time.

They looked further assured of victory when Kavanagh missed a final penalty for Blackrock with minutes remaining. Yet as the minutes turned to seconds, McClafferty stunned everyone by scoring the crucial try.

Scoring Sequence: 4 mins: Flanagan penalty, 0-3; 12 mins: Kavanagh penalty, 0-6; 27 mins: Nyhan try, Kavanagh con, 7-6; 34 mins: Kavanagh penalty 10-6; 49 mins: O'Connor try, 10-11; 59 mins: McClafferty try, 15-11; 62 mins: Crowe try, Kavanagh con, 22-11.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: S O'Brien; C Moore, D Nyhan, R Walsh (capt), M Kavanagh; J Quinn, C Willis; A Franciosi, J Coady, D Soden, R Quinn, S Moloney, S McClafferty, K O'Toole, B J Leahy. Replacement: M Crowe for Quinn (53 mins).

NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE: B Flanagan; S Rouine, E Burns, A Clarke, D Griffith; J Murphy, B McGrath; D Kerin, L Jacobs, I O'Connor, E Tully, D Snell, J Holmes (capt), R Finan, A Kavanagh. Replacement: R Price for Tully (32 mins).

Referee: B Payne (Leinster Branch).