Blackrock fight back to earn dramatic draw with Mary's in Leinster Schools Senior Cup final

The two sides will have to do it all again at Energia Park next Monday.

Cian McCarron's late try combined with Luke Coffey's conversion earned Blackrock a draw with St Mary's in the Leinster Schools Senior Cup final. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Leinster Schools Senior Cup final: Blackrock College 24 St Mary’s College 24

Cian McCarron and Luke Coffey came to the rescue of Blackrock College in front of 8,736 spectators at Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday afternoon as the 72-times champions earned a dramatic draw with St Mary’s College in a gripping Leinster Schools Senior Cup final.

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening half of their latest showpiece appearance, ‘Rock edged in front with a third-minute penalty from scrum-half Coffey.

While Mary’s were determined to leave a lasting impression in the Rathmines school’s first senior cup decider since 2008, their opponents maintained a potent attacking threat that was evident in their semi-final triumph over St Michael’s College.

At the end of an extended move, ‘Rock hooker Harry O’Neill dotted down for a 22nd minute try was supplemented by a confident bonus strike from Coffey. Justin Vanstone’s side were subsequently pegged back by a converted try from Mary’s flanker Eoghan Brady with just under three minutes to go until the interval, but there was enough time left in the opening period for ‘Rock to reinforce their authority.

After inside centre Bernard White dived over underneath the posts off a well-worked stoppage-time attack, Coffey once again supplied the extras to leave ‘Rock 17-7 in front at the break.

Although this was a set-back for Mary’s, Kieran Moloney’s charges probed with intent on the resumption and got their just reward when centre Daniel Tourish found space inside the ‘22’ to dot down for a 48th minute try.

Neary’s second conversion brought Mary’s back to within three points of 'Rock once again, but this time they were able to push on and turn the game on its head.

The Rathmines side were piling on the pressure as the play progressed and hooker Joseph Christle matched the efforts of his opposite number O’Neill from the opening half by driving over the line in ruthless fashion.

Neary added the bonuses with considerable aplomb and when the influential fly-half split the uprights off a 63rd minute penalty, Mary’s were in sight of a first final victory in 24 years.

Yet ‘Rock were always going to fight until the bitter end and broke a stubborn Mary’s resistance when powerful lock McCarron powered over in the 70th minute.

This meant that all eyes were now on Coffey and he made light of the tricky elements by knocking over a nerveless conversion that means these two sides will have to do it all again at Energia Park next Monday.

Scorers for Blackrock College: Tries: H O’Neill, B White, C McCarron Cons: L Coffey 3 Pens: L Coffey.

Scorers for St Mary’s College: Tries: E Brady, D Tourish, J Christle Cons: P Neary 3 Pens: P Neary.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: C McCloskey; A Vetjens (R Keogh 51), J Browne, B White, A Aschenbrenner; P Scally (S Moloney 67), L Coffey; L Magee (L Golden 53), H O’Neill, B Guerin (L Kelly 62); G Eggars (R Kenneally 47), C McCarron; C Power, P Agnew, T Keaveney (L Hill 57).

ST MARY’S COLLEGE: J Kelly; C Maguire, C Cantwell, D Tourish, N Sheehan; P Neary, J Fogarty; T Quigley, J Christle, D Kenny; E Farrell, M Egan (J Whitty 47); E Brady, A McGauran, S Thornton.

Referee: J MacNeice (LRR).