Late double strike sees clinical Roscrea seal place in decider

BACK rowers Lorcan Smyth and Seamus Hennessy struck for two late tries to see Cistercian College Roscrea through to the final of the Powerade Leinster Schools Vinnie Murray Senior Cup final at Naas RFC yesterday.

St Gerard’s mounted a serious challenge after conceding early tries to Roscrea openside Paddy Finn and left wing Peter Rouse. Jordan Egan kicked a penalty and converted tight-head Fergus Maxwell’s try to see the losers trail 10-7 at the break.

Then, St Gerard’s moved almost the length of the field for Egan to hit the line for a converted try. Roscrea full-back Jonathan Cody got over for out-half David Joyce to add the points before Egan tied it up with a penalty.

But, the weight of pressure told when Smyth and Hennessy made the line to deny us a replay.

Scorers: Cistercian College Roscrea: S Hennessy, J Cody, P Finn, L Smyth, P Rouse try each; D Joyce 2 cons. St Gerard’s School: Jordan Egan try, pen, 2 cons; Fergus Maxwell try.

Cisterican College Roscrea: J Cody; F Ryan, T O’Halloran, Cormac Pardy, P Rouse; D Joyce, K Quinlan; P Duggan, J Hayes, L Hyland (capt), J Magee, Ross Farrell, L Smyth, P Finn, S Hennessy.

St Gerard’s School: J Egan; C McKeown, J Crosbie, S O’Brien, C Cafferky; S Toal-Lennon, R Glynn; G Crotty (capt), P O’Donnell, F Maxwell, A O’Reilly, D Bourke, A Roche, R McCarthy, D Duggan.

Referee: T Duncan, Leinster Branch.