Details

Date Time Competition Season
16 February 2022 3:00 pm Leinster Schools Senior Cup 2021/22

Match Report

Five grab tries in Newbridge College win

Newbridge College booked their place in the second round of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup after a 31-12 win over St. Gerard’s College at Energia Park.

Tries from Todd Lawlor, Ciaran Mangan, Sam Watson, captain Kieran Kelly; and Shane Treacy secured the win for the Kildare school.

Newbridge College started the game the brighter of the two sides and opened the scoring after just over five minutes on the clock.

Centre pairing Tom Waters and John Collins linked up before finding Callum Bolton in space down the blind side. Bolton popped the ball into the path of the lightning, Todd Lawlor who crossed over in the corner to score his side’s first try of the game.

 Paddy Taylor was left with a difficult conversion right on the touchline but the young out half showed no signs of nerves and stroked the ball over the ball between the posts to add the extra two points.

Gerard’s did grow into the game but found it difficult to break down the strong Newbridge defence. Captain Kieran Kelly and Ronan McGroary were instrumental at the breakdown for the Kildare side.

Newbridge found their second of the game after Paddy Taylor and Todd Lawlor linked up in midfield before the ball found it’s way to John Collins. Collins kicked the ball along the ground into the path of Ciaran Mangan who dove over in the corner for Newbridge College.

The Bray school did get back into the affair after No.8 Luke Long showed tremendous strength and determination from close range to reduce the deficit.

Newbridge were dealt a big blow when captain Kieran Kelly was forced off through a blood injury with Sam Watson replacing the flanker.

Watson made an instant impact on the cusp of half time when he crossed for Newbridge’s third try of the first period. Taylor added the extra points from the tee and sent his side into the break with a 19-5 lead.

Gerard’s continued to try and build attacks from the start of the second period but were met with a strong and resilient Newbridge defence every time. After hooker Ronan Byrne was sin-binned for the Wicklow school , Newbridge were rewarded with their fourth try of the game. Captain Kieran Kelly powered home from close range, directly beneath the posts.

St. Gerard’s did find a late consolation try courtesy of prop Fionan Denver but it was Newbridge who had the final say when lock Shane Treacy crossed for his side's fifth of the game inside the final play. 

Ground

Energia Park
Energia Park, Donnybrook Road, Pembroke West B ED, Dublin, County Dublin, Leinster, D04 T8X2, Ireland

Luke is a final year Journalism student in DCU. He is a Sports Reporter for Wicklow People Sport and FinalWhistle.ie.