Leavy leads Michael’s to glory

Captain Dan Leavy was the try-scoring driving force behind St Michael’s second ever Leinster Schools Senior Cup, denying Clongowes a first three in a row in an enthralling final at the RDS yesterday.

The smaller, more explosive Clongowes front five applied pressure at the maul and scrum to deny the St Michael’s back row and half-backs a platform for the speedsters out wide. Ross Byrne and Conor Mahony swapped penalties in the first half.

Clongowes turned around into the wind. Their captain Edward Byrne’s dazzling speed from a short ball by centre Sebastian Fromm was good for a gain of 30 metres. Then, a long, looping pass was picked off by right wing Chris Fagan for a clear run to the line from 45 metres. Byrne converted to make it 10-3 in the 45th minute.