THE LEINSTER SENIOR Schools Cup quarter-finals were played during the week with four enthralling games taking place at Donnybrook.
The headline tie, Blackrock’s clash with Belvedere, ended in a draw and will be played again but here are four players who stood out during the four games.
St Michael's captain Jack Kelly. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
St Michael’s blew away Terenure with four unanswered tries in the first-half, and their impressive captain Jack Kelly was responsible for two of them.
The full-back has an imposing stature for any opposition defender and his ability to run with pace and power is a lethal cocktail which was evident in this quarter-final.
He opened the scoring on eight minutes after he got on the end of a superb Harry Byrne pass to burst his way through the opposition defence and ground the ball.
Kelly, who is part of the Ireland U19 training panel, went on to score an even better second try just minutes later, as he cut inside the Terenure defence from his own half to score his second and his team’s third try of the game.
Advertisement
The score will arguably go on to be the individual score of the tournament. Kelly is a player to keep an eye on as the competition reaches its climax.
Patrick Nulty was central to Clongowes' win. Gary Carr / INPHO
Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO
Clongowes were deserved winners against Monkstown and they had their back row of Sean McMahon, Sean McCrohan and in particular Patrick Nulty, to thank for producing such a convincing victory.
Nulty demonstrated all the skills the modern blind-side flanker should possess. He was strong in the tackle, halting several CBC attacks in the second-half as they tried to claw their way back into the contest.
It wasn’t just the resilient nature in his defensive play that made Nulty standout but his willingness to run with the ball in attack and gain vital yards at important times for his team.
Gavin Mullin tackled by Hugh Sexton of Belvedere. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
The quarter-final clash was easily the tie of the round, and the resulting draw means that the two Dublin teams from either side of the River Liffey must do it all again.
A player to look out for in the replay will be Blackrock’s centre Gavin Mullin. He was equally good in defence as attack, and was source of many attacks which seemed to inspire his teammates further.
Although physically strong, he also has the capability to read the game, and managed to thwart several potential Belvedere attacks in the first-half. Mullin could be the difference in the replay which takes place on 22 February.
Jack Culligan dots down. Gary Carr / INPHO
Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO
Jack Culligan’s introduction helped Roscrea march to victory over Gonzaga. With Alan Tynan becoming central to Roscrea’s attack following his move to out-half in the first period, Culligan’s arrival saw the holders take control of the game.
The open-side flanker made an immediate impact, scoring a try within three minutes of his second-half entrance.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
4 players who caught the eye during the Leinster Senior Cup quarter-finals
THE LEINSTER SENIOR Schools Cup quarter-finals were played during the week with four enthralling games taking place at Donnybrook.
The headline tie, Blackrock’s clash with Belvedere, ended in a draw and will be played again but here are four players who stood out during the four games.
St Michael’s College 29-14 Terenure College
St Michael’s blew away Terenure with four unanswered tries in the first-half, and their impressive captain Jack Kelly was responsible for two of them.
The full-back has an imposing stature for any opposition defender and his ability to run with pace and power is a lethal cocktail which was evident in this quarter-final.
He opened the scoring on eight minutes after he got on the end of a superb Harry Byrne pass to burst his way through the opposition defence and ground the ball.
Kelly, who is part of the Ireland U19 training panel, went on to score an even better second try just minutes later, as he cut inside the Terenure defence from his own half to score his second and his team’s third try of the game.
The score will arguably go on to be the individual score of the tournament. Kelly is a player to keep an eye on as the competition reaches its climax.
Clongowes Wood 27-5 CBC Monkstown
Clongowes were deserved winners against Monkstown and they had their back row of Sean McMahon, Sean McCrohan and in particular Patrick Nulty, to thank for producing such a convincing victory.
Nulty demonstrated all the skills the modern blind-side flanker should possess. He was strong in the tackle, halting several CBC attacks in the second-half as they tried to claw their way back into the contest.
It wasn’t just the resilient nature in his defensive play that made Nulty standout but his willingness to run with the ball in attack and gain vital yards at important times for his team.
Blackrock College 10-10 Belvedere College
The quarter-final clash was easily the tie of the round, and the resulting draw means that the two Dublin teams from either side of the River Liffey must do it all again.
A player to look out for in the replay will be Blackrock’s centre Gavin Mullin. He was equally good in defence as attack, and was source of many attacks which seemed to inspire his teammates further.
Although physically strong, he also has the capability to read the game, and managed to thwart several potential Belvedere attacks in the first-half. Mullin could be the difference in the replay which takes place on 22 February.
Roscrea 27-17 Gonzaga
Jack Culligan’s introduction helped Roscrea march to victory over Gonzaga. With Alan Tynan becoming central to Roscrea’s attack following his move to out-half in the first period, Culligan’s arrival saw the holders take control of the game.
The open-side flanker made an immediate impact, scoring a try within three minutes of his second-half entrance.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
‘Tweaked calf’ for Boss only negative for Leinster as Ross and Healy build match fitness
‘At some stage we have to start doing, rather than just trying to learn all the time’
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Leinster Schools Senior Cup Next generation Schools Rugby