St Mary's survive Blackrock comeback

Blackrock College 17 St. Mary's College 22

It was a game of two halves at Stradbrook as Blackrock almost came back from the dead against a lively St. Mary’s outfit.

Mary’s burst out of the blocks with winger Daragh Fanning, hooker Ollie McCormack, a younger brother of Leinster’s Ronan, and flanker Karl O’Brien registering first half tries. Out-half Jonathan Sexton added a penalty and two conversions for a 22-0 buffer at the interval.

Restored to 15 after full-back Michael Price had been sin-binned before half-time, ‘Rock roared back with tries from wingers Rob Ronayne and Paul Graham and prop Malcolm Cuffe, but it was not enough.

Scorers: Blackrock: Tries: Rob Ronayne, Paul Graham, Malcolm Cuffe; Con: Paddy O’Toole

Mary’s: Tries: Daragh Fanning, Ollie McCormack, Karl O’Brien; Cons: Jonathan Sexton 2; Pen: Sexton