Terenure and Blackrock battle for Leinster bragging rights
Since the inception of the competition back in 1887, Blackrock have proven to be the Cup’s standard-bearers as they bid to annex a record 66th title against Terenure who sit joint-second with Belvedere College on the roll of honour with 10 wins apiece.
Blackrock’s previous title success arrived three years ago in the last schools final at the old Lansdowne Road with a team that featured Ireland international, Luke Fitzgerald. It was fine Blackrock team, who at times played a bold style of rugby, and the class of 2009 is also ranked as one of the best to emerge from the famous Dublin 4 school.
Since the outset of this year’s Cup, they’ve remained favourites to attain ultimate honours, and on their path to the final overcame Monkstown, St Michael’s and holders, Belvedere College. However, against Belvedere, they had to draw on the inspiration of the talented Andrew Conway to run out narrow 16-12 winners.
Three years ago, this group won the equivalent Junior Cup and in Jordi Murphy (captain), number 8 Conor Barry, centre Brendan Macken and Conway at fullback, they possess players of the highest calibre at this level.
“People talk about us winning so many cups, but the point is this particular group of players haven’t won the senior cup,” said coach, Joe Gough. “We’re happy we’ve had a close encounter in the semi-final, and we hope we’ve learned a lesson from it. If we have we’ll be ready to compete with Terenure.
“Terenure have very strong pack with two good half backs. They play a very simple game-plan. They’ve two twin-towers in the lineout, they like to kick the ball to touch and have an out half in the mould of a Munster out half who can kick for territory.”
Gough’s assessment of the Terenure isn’t too far off the mark. Their lock forwards, Robert Duke and Cathal Deans, were immense in their 10-3 semi-final win over St Mary’s, played in miserable conditions. However, much has been made about their game-controlling half backs, Kevin O’Neill and James Thornton, who like to play the percentages, pin opposition back inside their own ‘22’ and, from there, exert a pressure game. Their approach is, in many ways, similar in outlook and execution to an old-style Munster side.
Terenure, who last captured the title in 2003, will be confident of victory with history showing they’ve an excellent record against Blackrock in finals. Back in 1979 and 1980 Terenure prevailed in back-to-back final wins, while the Dublin 6 college also ran out winners in their last meeting in a final in 2001.
“Over the last 20 years we’ve probably had the upper-hand over Blackrock in finals,” says Terenure games master, Larry Halpin. “The last meeting between the sides in a final in 2001 was won by a late kick. But a final is a special day — you get there, and anything can happen in a final. The big threat from our point of view is Andrew Conway, a tremendous player. I think he has got to be stopped. If any kind of loose ball comes his way, he ghosts through any sort of gaps that you don’t even see.”
Verdict: Terenure College
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: A Conway; L McHugh, B Macken, K Curran, C Rowden; B Kingston, P O’Shea; D Buckley, P Kilcoyne, A Lyons; J O’Beirne, J Murphy (capt); D Fawsitt, R Liddy, C Barry.
Replacements: M Duncan, T Parsons, C Walsh, D Heffernan, M Walsh, D Godfrey, C Fitzpatrick.
TERENURE COLLEGE: J O’Donoghue; C Kelly, R Williamson, D O’Dowd, H Moore;J Thornton, K O’Neill; P McCormack, S Reid, R Burdock; R Duke (capt), C Deans; A Clarkin, C Shanahan, E Joyce.
Replacements: A Byrne, B Mooney, G O’Doherty, S Doherty, N Casey, M Hyland, G Douglas.
Referee: D Phillips (ARLB).
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