U20s McCorry Cup R1

This article first appeared on Leinsterrugby.ie

BLACKROCK COLLEGE 33 - 24 DUBLIN UNIVERSITY

Blackrock put their disappointing League form aside to produce a fine performance on Thursday night. 

It helped coach Mark MacGinty to have out-half Rudy O’Reilly, centre Darragh Farrell and second row Conor Hanly back in the fold for the first round of the Cup.

Nonetheless, Trinity settled into a rhythm early on. A tap penalty was the trigger for Fionn O’Neill to power over for the opening try in the sixth minute.

When the ball rolled loose around halfway, full-back James Clancy initiated smooth inter-play for Darragh Farrell to make the corner for a try to level the scores at 5-all. 

An efficient rolling maul saw hooker Thomas Begley touch down for a try, converted by Callum McDonald, to restore Trinity’s lead.

But Blackrock hit back quickly as scrum-half Ben Crowley dummied and dived over from the side of a ruck for O’Reilly to make it 12-all from the conversion. 

The alert Hanly blocked down a kick, and the ball fell favourably for the second row to gather and score to give the home side their first lead of the day. O’Reilly converted.

Again, Trinity were able to bounce back when ‘Rock fumbled the kick off, allowing Marcus Boyle to drive in their third try, converted by out-half McDonald to tie game up once more at 19-all.

Just before the break, O’Reilly put Alex Doorly through a gap, and the centre hit the trailing wing Lachlainn Harris on the inside for a sweet try, converted by O’Reilly to give Blackrock a 26-19 half-time advantage. 

The hosts rose to the challenge into the wind in the second half, taking the game to Trinity and being held up over the line three times.

For Trinity, O’Neill was outstanding, Aidan Walsh was prominent in the loose and Mylo Bouckaert was effective in the centre.

The students were unable to take advantage of the elements until McDonald scored in the corner to close the gap to 26-24 on the hour. 

Ultimately, ‘Rock were able to hold up in defence before coming forward for Darragh Farrell to grab his second try for O’Reilly to add the conversion. 

This means Blackrock move on to a quarter-final at home to Old Belvedere next Sunday. 

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: James Clancy; Lochlainn Maher, Alex Doorly, Darragh Farrell, Lochlainn Harris; Rudy O’Reilly, Ben Crowley; Charlie O’Keefe, William O’Sullivan, Ernie O’Brien, Ben O’Halloran, Conor Hanly, Gavin Trayer, Harry Dixon, Zephaniel Lewis.

Replacements: Darragh Walsh, Cillian O Leary, Jack McSherry, Tom Yaxley, Luke Fitzpatrick, Patrick Brennan.

Scorers: D Farrell 2 tries; C Hanly, B Crowley, L Harris try each; R O’Reilly 4 cons. 

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY: Alexandre Seguret; Marcus Boyle, Gavin Keane, Mylo Bouckaert, Ryan Sheridan; Callum McDonald, Joshua Gordon; Donie Grehan, Thomas Begley, Aidan Walsh, Ronan Savage, Fionn O’Neill, Daniel Cox, Conor Lysaght, Mike Branagan.

Replacements: Milo Lavelle, Olan Storey, Mehdi Merah, Stephen Connolly, Sami Phelan, Hugh O’Sullivan Sexton, Daragh McFadden.

Scorers: C McDonald try, 3 cons; F O’Neill, T Begley, M Boyle try each.