Newbridge College have booked their place in the last eight , after a slick performance to beat a valiant Kilkenny College 29-12 on Tuesday afternoon.

 dominant first-half display set the tone early. Billy Bohan with a brace and another try scored by Adam Larkin Smithers gave them a 19-0 advantage at halftime.

Kilkenny who were more than competitive on the day couldn’t get the breaks to ever really threaten the Newbridge lead. Adam Watchorn and Michael Adewuyi scored their two tries.

Inside centre Paddy Taylor put in an impressive individual shift, scoring nine points. The playmaker looks like the real deal and definitely an important player for them in the weeks to come

The schools cup games come thick and fast this time of year. Today, we saw game number three between two very capable sides, making for an interesting encounter.

There is a lot of confidence and belief around this Newbridge College squad. They have an abundance of talent at their disposal, with six of their starters playing in the Junior Cup final-winning team back in 2021.

They started with the skilful centre partnership of  Taylor and Ciaran Mangan. Their scrum half Tadhg Brophy is another exciting prospect

In the same respect, Kilkenny College are a strong outfit, just coming up short to eventual senior league winners Gonzaga College in the semi-final, a little over a month ago.

They too have talent all around the park. Ireland U19 contenders in out-half Sean Naughton and tight-head prop  Watchorn are cornerstones for how they like to approach their game. Their captain Stephen Smyth is always looking to be active.

Johne Murphy’s team made the ideal start to their cup campaign. After being awarded an early penalty, they were given the perfect attacking platform five metres out from the try line.

Tighthead prop  Bohan took it from the back of the lineout and with a timely side step, he navigated his way to the whitewash.

It only took Bohan six minutes to complete his brace. Newbridge were ruthless in the redzone again, a pre-rehearsed move and a lovely linkup between Taylor and Bohan gave them their second try of the game. Irish schoolboy Taylor slotted the early conversions.

In the 24^th minute, Newbridge looked to be in again. A lively counterattack got them speeding towards the danger zone once more.  A slick transition between Mangan and Lawlor finished in what looked like a try for Larkin Smithers, but the referee called it back for an earlier foot in touch.

In the 28^th minute, Larkin Smithers got his second bite at the cherry, and this time he got his name on the scoresheet. The forwards set the stall for the third try. A solid carry from Shane Davitt edged them forward. They worked the blindside, and getting his hands free, captain Shane Treacy gave a crisp offload to his waiting left winger, who touched down in the corner.

Kilkenny College had much more time on the ball in the second half. Watchorn and Smyth getting more involved in the action. They asked questions of the opposition defence, maintaining possession for long periods.

They had a penalty right on the doorstep of the scoring zone, deciding not to waste time they ran in. But second-row Jake O’Sullivan was held up.

The Kildare school didn’t have much possession in the second half, but when they did have it, they made it count. Backrow Ronán McGroary, driving his legs, wrestled over for their fourth try of the afternoon.

It was a frustrating day for Pieter  Swanepoel’s team who just weren’t clinical enough when presented with opportunities in good areas of the pitch. In the 55^th minute, they got their reward when the impactful Watchorn powered over from close range. At his first attempt, Naughton made sure the conversion was successful.

The silky skills of the Newbridge backline were clear to see. A loose Naughton kick was tidied up by Lawlor who passed back inside to Taylor. The competitive runner had his jet shoes on and like a lightning bolt he scored their fifth try.

Kilkenny mounted some late pressure. Substitute Michael Adewuyi went over in the corner for their second try, something they deserved given their efforts throughout the contest.

Newbridge will have to wait until Friday’s draw to see who they get in the next round of the competition.