St Andrew’s College 7
St Michael’s College 25
FOR A SIGNIFICANT chunk of this heated contest, there was persuasive evidence to suggest St Andrew’s had enough about them to spring the competition’s first shock of 2016.
But St Michael’s, even with 14 men following the first-half dismissal of Oisin Dowling, flexed their considerable muscle to lay down a marker as they advanced through to the quarter-finals of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup.
The game sparked into life after 17 minutes when Dowling, an Ireland U18 international, was shown red by referee Brian Montayne after the officials spent several minutes deliberating the outcome of an off-the-ball scuffle.
Andrew’s centre Peter Sullivan was sent to the sin-bin for his involvement but the sense of injustice only ignited Michael’s as they ran in two tries before the break.
With a firm stranglehold on proceedings, the two-time winners extended their advantage through Barry Fitzpatrick’s boot shortly after the break.
Jordan Larmour’s try gave Andrew’s hope but even with a numerical advantage left themselves with too much work to do as Michael’s closed out the game to book their place in Friday’s draw.
The Ailesbury Road school didn’t look as convincing in the first period when their indiscipline could have cost them dearly.
On this occasion, however, Andrew’s, who have enjoyed a resurgence in the last few years, weren’t able to make them pay as their promising season was cut short at the first hurdle.
Michael’s buckled under the favourite’s tag twelve months ago but weren’t prepared to stumble this time around as they clicked into gear after an opening quarter riddled with mistakes.
Up until Jake Kelly’s opening try, Andrew’s had stood firm in defence but the pressure eventually told as the Michael’s captain stormed in under the posts.
The crucial score came minutes before half-time as out-half Ian O’Kelly forced his way over in the corner to stamp his side’s authority on the game.
Andrew’s, to their credit, kept going and produced a spirited response as the hugely impressive Larmour dotted down after a period of sustained pressure from the Booterstown outfit.
But it was too little, too late as Dan O’Donovan’s late intercept try sealed the win for Michael’s and a passage through to the next round.
St Andrews’s scorers:Tries: Jordan Larmour
Penalties:
Conversions: Peter SullivanSt Michael’s scorers:Tries: Jack Kelly, Ian O’Kelly, Dan O’Donovan
Penalties: Barry Fitzpatrick, Harry Byrne
Conversions: Barry Fitzpatrick, Harry Byrne
St Andrew’s College: 15. Joe McDonagh, 14. Dougie Burns (Reece Jordan 63′), 13. Jordan Larmour (captain), 12. Peter Sullivan, 11. Stephen Keane, 10. Sean Ballance, 9. Adam Larmour; 1. Rian O’Flaherty, 2. Harry McCarthy (Nick Judge 55′), 3. David Wilson, 4. Ben Ryan, 5. Will Holland (Dagan Morris 31′), 6. Harry O’Byrne-Cullinane, 7. Ben Nolke (Rory Simmington 61′), 8. Zola Henry.
Replacements not used: 17. Jack O’Brien, 19. Ben Crowley, 20. Andrew Vincent, 23. James Meier.
St Michael’s College: 15. Jack Kelly (captain), 14. Jeff O’Loughlin (Dan O’Donovan 50′), 13. James Hickey, 12. David Ryan (Harry Byrne 38′), 11. Michael Heaney (Michael Roche 63′), 10. Ian O’Kelly, 9. Tomas Killeen (Peter O’Beirne 38′); 1. Ronan Kelleher (Milo O’Donahoe 60′), 2. Stephen Judge (Max Kennedy 60′), 3. Samuel Griffin (Luke Duffy 60′), 4, Ryan Baird, 5. Jack Duane (Andrew Courtney 54′), 6. Oisin Dowling, 7. Scott Penny, 8. Barry Fitzpatrick.
Referee: Brian Montayne (IRFU).
