Belvedere College 23
Newbridge College 7
Ryan Bailey reports from Donnybrook
THE THREE-IN-A ROW bid is building momentum, and as has been the case for the last number of years in this competition, Belvedere College are again emerging as the team to beat.
They needed a strong second-half display to eventually see off Newbridge College but once Phil Werahiko’s side began to flex their considerable muscle, there was only ever going to be one winner.
In what was a scrappy contest, Belvo displayed all their credentials by striking at key moments. Neil Howard crashed over just before the interval to break the deadlock and although the 12-time winners were pegged back by the concession of an intercept try not long after, they pulled clear in the final quarter.
Prop James Gleeson finished off a powerful rolling maul in the far corner and after fullback David Lacey had knocked over two penalties, centre Matthew Grogan completed the win with a fine individual score at the death.
Even without their talismanic out-half David Hawkshaw, who had his right shoulder heavily strapped as he acted as water carrier, this Belvo side have big players all over the field, no more so than captain Ruadhan Byron.
Newbridge landed a couple of blows of their own, and in Cian Prendergast have a supremely-talented lock, but having expended huge energy in keeping the game scoreless until the 35th minute, were unable to match Belvo’s relentless energy and power.
The first period was played at a high-tempo, but poor handling skills let both sides down and neither were able to land a punch until the final minute of the half when replacement lock Howard crashed over for Belvo.
On the balance of play, Newbridge were unfortunate to go in behind at the break, particularly when they thought Luke Rigney had muscled his way over after a period of sustained, and controlled, pressure.
As the powerful prop, whose departure through injury shortly into the second half proved crucial, held off three would-be tacklers and stretched for the line, referee Gary Conway adjudged the grounding to be fractionally short, although TV replays suggested it was a harsh call.
Belvo struck at the other end.
Newbridge will have been disappointed with a sloppy exit after initially shutting the door and from there Belvo worked it in-field and their superior power up front told as Howard eventually found a gap from close range.
The defending champions enjoyed the majority of the possession and territory after the interval, too, but were caught when Ted Walsh’s attempt to go down the short side was read by Donal Conroy, who had the footwork to evade the last man back and then race clear uncontested. Luke Maloney converted for a 7-5 lead.
Behind on the scoreboard, Belvo’s dominance grew.
They hammered away relentlessly for large periods, often to no avail, but all the while the defensive effort was sapping the life out of Newbridge, who then had nothing left to give with the contest in the balance.
The boot of Lacey, a minor footballer with Dublin, nudged them back in front after Newbridge were caught offside and the lead was extended when Gleeson scored in the far corner after Byron had made the initial surge.
Lacey added another penalty to ensure Belvo’s safe passage through to the last four, and the icing on the cake arrived courtesy of Grogan’s slalom score as the centre carved through midfield to dive under the posts.
Belvedere scorers:Tries: Neil Howard, James Gleeson, Matthew Grogan
Penalties: David Lacey [2 from 2]
Conversions: David Lacey [1 from 3]Newbridge scorers:Tries: Donal Conroy
Conversions: Luke Maloney [1 from 1]
BELVEDERE COLLEGE: 15. David Lacey, 14. Alex O’Grady, 13. Matthew Grogan, 12. Cailean Mulvaney, 11. Alistair Loughrey, 10. Justin Leonard, 9. Ted Walsh; 1. James Gleeson, 2. Luke Harmon, 3. Conor Cagney, 4. Alekseiy Soroka, 5. James Murphy, 6. Gerard Hill, 7. Aaron Coleman, 8. Ruadhan Byron (captain).
Replacements: 16. Andrew Synnott, 17. Jonathan Bell, 18. Mark Daly, 19. Neil Howard, 20. Cian Scott, 21. Patrick Lysaght, 22. John Meagher, 23. Gareth O’Brien.
NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE: 15. Donal Conroy, 14. Con Creedon, 13. Karmon Fitzgerald, 12. Eimhin Conroy, 11. Daniel O’Connor, 10. Luke Maloney, 9. Jack Doyle; 1. Thomas Grant, 2. Larry Kelly, 3. Luke Rigney, 4. Dylan Morrissey, 5. Cian Prendergast (captain), 6. Oisin Halpin, 7. Harry O’Neill, 8. Muiris Clearly.
Replacements: 16. Geoff McNelis, 17. Robert Scully, 18. Mark Moynihan, 19. Conor McGroary, 20. Ruairi Finan, 21. Sam Cahill, 22. Thomas Sheedy, 23. Daniel Caulfield.
Referee: Gary Conway.
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Cos we got Salah… Oh mane mane!!
@Ciarán: For now you have Salah.
The only debate is which big club he will go to in the summer, like every other player that shows some ability at Liverpool.
It’s ok though, iv made a song for his replacement:
We’ve got Boufal, MAYBE Mane, no one wants Firmino.
@Eoin Finnega: jaysus that’s a shite song.
@Eoin Finnega: I dont care if he goes or not Im enjoying the moment, Try it!! My support is not built around idolising footballers.
Two games in a row now Karius has made great saves to keep LFC ahead. Those of us who had seen something in him to recommend are feeling pretty good about now… Let’s hope he keeps it up, because he’s slowly winning the remaining doubters over.
@James Doyle: I imagine Klopp has told him to put in the performances til the end of the season to make him not have to sign another keeper. Literally playing for his anfield career
@Declan Snow: He told him he was number one and he wanted him to prove he made the right choice.
@Declan Snow: think myself playing behind VvD has made all the difference. From his debut, Van Dijk has been encouraging Karius to make the area his own. For a young goalie, that must make a huge difference, having a centre half who talks to you and trusts you to take care of things behind him. He’s always had talent, but he just looks more at home now.
@James Doyle: Ye he certainly looks more confident. When we signed him he was apparently the 2nd best keeper in Germany. Having a big talker infront of him has to help. He just needs to come off his line a bit quicker and be more decisive around that and he’ll be there or there abouts a top keeper.
@James Doyle: high opinion of yourself there James if you think it‘s you playing behind VvD that‘s the difference. I‘ve never even noticed you on the pitch.
@PJ Connolly: hur hur. But as the sort of guy who delights in pointing out similar errors in others, I have to give you kudos. Smart assery is always welcome.
Exciting times at Liverpool would love see klopp and Liverpool win the league next season. Still Have great chance in champions league
Salah for top goalscorer
@Jordo: Kane will nick it luckily
It’s such a strange feeling as a Liverpool fan to see our keeper make a save like that (Karius has quietly been excellent for weeks now). We’ve been so used to having a poor standard of keeper for a long time now. Van Dijk is an incredible addition to the squad and I won’t hear otherwise, and with Karius stepping up, Liverpool have really really steadied the ship at the back. A few more midfield additions and we are so, so close.
@Laura Walsh: what about the ox, he’s coming into his own in a big way too the last few games. He has a fair few assists now too!
@Hardly Normal: absolutely love Ox. Just one of those lads that you really want to do well cause he seems so sound. So happy he’s playing well! Say he’s delighted he left the sinking ship.
Good win.great save by Karius in 1st half.onwards and upwards.Salah is a legend.Goes to show how well liverpool are playing when theres a slight sense of dissapointment when they only win by 2.
Salah top scorer shhhhh. This team is on route to becoming one of Liverpools greatest. Y.N.W.A.
@England’s Envy: huge similarities between your posts and the Anto Whelan pretend Dub troll.
Class again top 4 in the bag now finish 2nd and get a run in Europe