Blackrock College got their Leinster School’s Senior Cup campaign off to a flying start with a 25-20 win over St. Michael’s College.

Tries from Ruben Moloney, Oliver Coffey and Gus McCarthy secured the second half comeback for Rock.

It was a fast start from St.Michael’s College who looked well up for the physical side of today’s battle. Rock did strike first through out half Zach Quirke who sent a penalty directly between the posts to give his side a 3-0 advantage after just four minutes.

Rock struggled with their handling early on and Michael’s took advantage of this after just over ten minutes on the clock.

 The Terenure outfit opted for a maul off the back of a lineout on the Blackrock five metre line and hooker Zach Baird crossed for the first try of the game. Fintan Grunne added the extra two points from the tee.

The 69-time Leinster Schools Senior Cup Champions did strike back with another penalty from the reliable Zach Quirke to reduce the deficit to just one point.

Blackrock looked like they were getting back into the affair and flanker Liam Molony was excellent at the breakdown, securing turnovers and making big carries for his side.

Michael’s did reply with a penalty of their own through Fintan Gunne just before the interval to give his team a 10-6 advantage at the break.

Blackrock came out at an emphatic pace for the second period and their efforts were rewarded after just three minutes when hooker Gus McCarthy peeled off the back of a maul before diving over the line to give Blackrock the lead again.

Rock continued their great play and after a wayward pass from St.Michael’s on the half way line, Ruben Moloney intercepted the ball and raced down the wing for Blackrock before diving over the line to score his side’s second try of the game.

Quirke stood up and converted the extra two points to stretch their advantage to eight points.

Michael’s never stopped and Fintan Gunne added another three points to his tally with a fantastic penalty from just inside the Blackrock half.

Rock showed brilliant skill and determination to constantly soak up St. Michael’s attacks and their ability to turn defence into attack was proved after Tom Briggs turnover right on his five metre line to stop the Michael’s attack.

Blackrock moved the ball up field and back row Kevin Jackson broke the line before offloading to scrum half Oliver Coffey who crossed for their sides third try of the afternoon.

St. Michael’s continued to fight and found their second try of the game in almost identical fashion to their first. Michael’s maul proved too powerful for the tiring Blackrock pack and Zach Baird crossed for his second try of the game.

Michael’s continued the relentless pressure until the final whistle but it wasn’t enough to overcome Blackrock.