Two tries either side of half time spearheaded Gonzaga College’s bid to make the Leinster Schools Senior Cup Final, as they had to endure a late Newbridge comeback to secure their spot.

It was a frantic game but one that Gonzaga will be delighted came to a conclusion at the right time as Newbridge fought back to almost snatch a late win, Newbridge will be devastated having come back from a tie that looked dead and buried for a time in that second half.

Newbridge had early possession and looked dangerous in attack, only for a knock on in the build up to a move they may have breached Gonzaga early but the Dubliners solid in defence to allow their attack to flourish.

The relentless attack from Gonzaga felt they had done enough to get over after eight minutes but they were held up, however an advantage saw them get a second chance as they tapped and went from close range with a penalty but again the Newbridge defence was stern and held up the grounding.

A penalty saw Newbridge get out of their half after soaking up countless amounts of pressure to keep Gonzaga at bay, kicking to touch gave their lineout a first big test, the maul formed well and a swift pass by scrum half Tadhg Brophy found Paddy Taylor who made a stride beyond the Gonzaga defence, he offloaded to Ciarán Mangan on his shoulder to get over for their opening try, Taylor added the extras for a seven point lead.

The Newbridge lead only lasted three minutes as Mangan's opposite number Aidan O’Flanagan intercepted a pass from Paddy Martin as Newbridge were playing out from their own half, the centre hit the afterburners and raced away to touch down, Stephen McMahon levelled from the tee.

Attack is the best form of defence and for Newbridge their attacking play has been a joy to watch, just three minutes after conceding they were up the other end and who else but Todd Lawlor, a hat trick hero the last day getting a pass and clever footwork combined with his strength got him over the line, Taylor adding his second conversion to put them back ahead by seven.

Newbridge kept pressure applied and a move down the left wing almost grabbed them a third try with Mangan and Lawlor involved in the build up, but an intervention by O’Flanagan stopped them gaining ground, however they would have a penalty which Taylor pointed to the posts, a difficult angle for him as the penalty trailed wide. 

Back came Gonzaga to put pressure on Newbridge, they tested their defence and forced the referee to have words with them about the force used to stop their opponents, a couple of penalties transpired and Billy Bohan would be sent to the bin, Gonzaga opted to go to the scrum and with the pressure mounting Tom Brophy fizzed the ball out to Number 8 and captain Paul Wilson, his drive enough to get over for their second try, McMahon again equalising off the tee from the conversion attempt.

Just at the half was coming to a conclusion Gonzaga would grab their third try, their scrum again proving an issue for Newbridge, Wilson gathered and again made a drive for the line but was held up, Brophy immediately went out to JP Breslin who was held shy of the line however Luke McLaughlin pumped the legs and dove from close range to get their third try in added time, McMahon with a difficult conversion on the side line added the full seven points, Gonzaga ahead 21-14 at the break.

It was the perfect start to the second half for Gonzaga as Hugo McLaughlin carved his way through the Newbridge defence after a lovely free flowing attacking move, while McMahon was having an exhibition off the tee as he made it four from four with his kicking duties.

Further wow for Newbridge saw John R Walsh go the bin for a high tackle, Gonzaga almost made full use of the extra man with a beautiful free flowing move down the left wing but play was called back as they had a penalty advantage, going to touch they forced a dangerous lineout five metres out which Newbridge did not contest, from the back of the resulting maul McLaughlin sniped over for his second try of the afternoon, McMahon unable to add the extra two as his second drifted right and wide.

Knowing a spot in the final was at stake, Newbridge came back fighting, pressure, pressure and more pressure applied on the Gonzaga defence, forcing errors and a card looked to be on the way as the referee was having words, in the blink of an eye they went out wide and Lawlor grounded in the corner for their third try as the deficit was down to 14 as the conversion went wide, they still had time as we only ticked into the 53rd minute.

They made it a nervy finish to the tie as Paddy Taylor got over with six minutes left on the clock for their fourth try, the conversion was difficult for him as it just drifted wide, but Newbridge were starting to really impose pressure on the tie, it told as they grabbed the crucial score but they needed nine more points to level the tie.

It was box office stuff as three minutes from time they came within two, Shane Devitt with a massive drive piercing the Gonzaga defence and he could not be stopped from bulldozing over the line for the try, under the posts it allowed Taylor an easier shot at goal and the tension was palpable on Energia Park.

But Gonzaga forced a crucial turnover and won a penalty right at the death, they kicked for touch and after winning the lineout held possession and the sound of the referee's whistle came as a relief to them as they now head to the RDS for the decider.