Blackrock march on to semi-final after taking early command

Blackrock College 21

Gonzaga College 12

Blackrock were made to fight all the way in the Leinster Junior Cup against Gonzaga at Donnybrook yesterday. It looked like it was going to be easy for the holders early on after openside Michael McGagh drove over for tries in the 11th and 24th minutes. Outhalf Joey Caputo converted both.

Captain Liam Turner followed up the sensational work of number eight Liam McMahon to go over for the third try, also converted by Caputo, for a 21-0 in the 38th minute.

Following a clever kick by Eoin Barr, Gonzaga forced a five-metre scrum which culminated in fullback Andrew Coman slicing through. Barr converted to reduice the deficit to 21-7.

They weren't done. Their maul proved a the driving force and prop Matt Meagher touched down in the 54th minute, leading to an umcomfortable final quarter for Blackrock.

BLACKROCK: N Brady; A Thompson, L Turner (capt), R Hally-Doody, D Colgan; J Caputo, L O'Reilly; G Coyne, S Molony, T Clarkson, T Godson-Treacy, J Stapleton, J Burke, M McGagh, L McMahon. Replacements: R Gallagher for Clarkson, 43 mins; M Grogan for McMahon, 46 mins; R Wilson for Brady, 50 mins; H Donnelly for O'Reilly, G Jones for Thompson, both 57 mins; J Tarrant for Caputo, H Kelly for Molony, H Angulo for Coyne, all 60 mins.

GONZAGA: A Coman; C McCarthy, B O'Donnell, M Neville, D Inglis; E Barr, R Moran; M Meagher, E Barron, S Clear, C Fassbender, E Buggy, R Kidney (capt), C Kirby-O'Brian, I O'Grady. Replacements: H Barlow for Fassbender, 34 mins; S Barry for Neville, 37 mins; M Gleeson for Buggy, 46 mins; F O'hOisin for Coman, 50 mins.

Referee: A Lynch, Leinster Branch.