Clongowes Wood 19
St Michael’s College 13
LAST YEAR’S LEINSTER Schools Senior Cup runners-up Clongowes Wood showed their determination to go one better this time around as they knocked favourites St Michael’s College out with a 19-13 win at Donnybrook.
Clongowes, who narrowly lost out to Blackrock twelve months ago, produced a resolute defensive display as they upset the odds to book their place in the last four.
After hitting the front through an early converted try, Clongowes were pegged back by Michael’s as the Ballsbridge outfit crossed the line twice in quick succession.
Just before the interval, however, Clongowes – eight time winners of the competition – went over in the corner to take a 12-10 lead into half-time.
As the game resumed at a frenetic pace on the new 4G pitch at Donnybrook, Michael’s restored their lead with a penalty but the defining moment came with 15 minutes remaining on the clock.
Clongowes’ third converted try opened up a six point lead and some dogged defence in the final quarter saw them hold out to advance to the semi-finals and dump the favourites out of the competition.
On Tuesday, St Andrew’s College face Newbridge College in the second quarter-final at Donnybrook.
