Blackrock College were crowned Leinster Schools Senior Cup Champions for a 70th time after a thrilling battle against Gonzaga College at the RDS.

Tries from Liam Molony, Andrew Quinn, Eoghan Walsh, Gus McCarthy, Mikey Yarr and two from Hugh Cooney, as well as 11 points from the boot of Zach Quirke sealed the 50-21 win for Rock.

Gonzaga struck first after just five minutes on the clock courtesy of some outstanding handling from their backline. Hugh Goddard and Jody Browne linked up just inside the Blackrock College 22 metre line before offloading into the path of Hugo McLaughlin.

The Zaga full back then passed the ball wide into the path of Rory Finlay who showed excellent acceleration to run over the line for the first try of the contest.

McLaughlin faced a tough task in the conversion from an acute angle, but he made it look easy and stroked it between the posts.

Justin Vanstone’s side replied instantly, and their pressure resulted in a Blackrock lineout on the 5-metre line. After collecting the ball and recycling for a couple of phases, Liam Molony drove over from close range to get his side back into the game.

Zach Quirke converted to level the scores after 10 minutes played.

Liam Molony showed his sheer power and class in abundance during the first half, and it was his line break that put Blackrock College ahead for the first time. The Rock flanker burst through tackles inside the Gonzaga half before eventually being tackled inside the Gonzaga 22.

Paddy McCarthy and Zach Quirke then carried before Quirke offloaded to the on-rushing Hugh Cooney who dived over the line.

It took just under two minutes later for Blackrock College to score their third. Ruben Moloney showed why he is one of the most highly regarded schools rugby players around after his electric pace tore the Gonzaga defence open.

Moloney then passed the ball down the blind side to Eoghan Walsh who ran in for Rock’s second try in as many minutes.

Quirke continued his 100% record from the tee to give his side a 21-7 lead.

Blackrock were dealt a blow moments later when captain Gus McCarthy was sin binned for an illegal shoulder in a ruck.

From here Gonzaga pressed and looked to have been through for a try when Hugo McLaughlin broke through the Blackrock defence.

McLaughlin kept the ball alive and passed it into Michael Sullivan, but the scrum half spilled the ball on the 5m line and Rock maintained their lead.

Gareth Pelly’s side did make the extra man advantage go their way when Stephen McMahon found Hugo McLaughlin who raced over for Gonzaga’s second try of the game just minutes before the interval.

McLaughlin converted his own try to send the sides into the break with Blackrock College leading 21-14.

Blackrock started the second half at an emphatic pace but after phases of possession on the Gonzaga try line, Zaga’s defence were fantastic and held off the early pressure.

Despite Gonzaga's best efforts, Blackrock did find their fourth try of the game after seven minutes of the second period played.

Gus McCarthy’s intelligent offload found Andrew Quinn who ran an amazing line through and over the try line.

Zach Quirke added the extra two from the tee before stroking over a penalty minutes later to give Blackrock College a 17-point lead with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Gonzaga didn’t shy down despite Rock’s big lead and their efforts were rewarded when Hugo Neville’s speed led to the quick winger diving over for Gonzaga’s third of the game and reducing Blackrock’s lead to 10 points.

Sadly for Gonzaga, Blackrock responded immediately through Hugh Cooney, who showed brilliant determination to block down the Gonzaga clearance and score his second try of the afternoon.

Gus McCarthy was immense for his side during the whole tournament, and he capped off his brilliant season with a try off the back of a maul with five minutes remaining.

McCarthy's late replacement Mikey Yarr found a try in the final play of the game to send the Senior Cup to Blackrock.