Gonzaga College got off to the optimum start in the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Senior Cup, after a hard fought 34-26 win over Clongowes Wood College at Energia Park this afternoon.

They now advance into the next round, but had to dig deep in the second half, having led 22-0 for most of the opening half, they led by just a point four minutes after the restart, as Clongowes were slow to get going all afternoon but started a massive comeback, that failed to materialise in a win.

The Clane school will be disappointed having reached the final in 2020, before the pandemic stopped them getting a day out as they bowed out after a spirited showing in the first round.

Fly half Stephen McMahon put Gonzaga into a 3-0 lead after four minutes, he landed a short range penalty after great built up saw Clongowes penalised at the breakdown.

They remained on top adding a try just four minutes later, a fantastic attack saw Jody Browne manage to cross in the corner on his first start in the competition, McMahon managed a difficult sideline conversion to push them to a 10-0 lead.

Thomas Murphy the big second row managed to cross for their second try after 26 minutes, McMahon with great skill in the build up to break past the defence, he offloaded to Murphy who crossed without difficulty, another fantastic conversion by McMahon saw them lead 17-0.

Just before the half time break, Hugo McLaughlin added a third try, Murphy with tremendous skill in the build up as he kicked in behind to collect the ball, after the maul formed the offload fell to McLaughin who dived over to score.

The Ranelagh school looked comfortable now in a 22-0 lead, McMahon missing the conversion as it struck the post, but straight from the restart Clongowes got their first try with their first major attack of the afternoon.

Blayze Molloy the man to cross for the Kildare school, he managed to break clear of the defence and give them a lifeline just before the interval, fly half Tom Murtagh with the conversion as they trailed 22-7 at half time.

Clongowes hit the jugular within two minutes of the restart, managing to get two quick tries Oscar O’Brien and Shane MacNulty both crossing over, as the Gonzaga line looked unable to stop them early in the half, the conversions making it a one point game 22-21 after 38 minutes.

Ten minutes later the Dublin school struck back with their fourth try of the afternoon, a great lineout worked toward the five metre line, the offload finding its way to Rory Finlay who crossed open in the corner, the missed conversion making it a six point advantage for Gonzaga.

The remainder of the second half was a dogfight between the teams, but we had plenty of late drama, substitute Oscar O’Neill breaking clear to add their try in the 68th minute, another McMahon conversion making it 34-21 as it looked to be all over, a late surge by Clongowes saw Dan Daly power over in the corner for a late consolation try.