Kilkenny College JCT 2017 gpfoto
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KILKENNY COLLEGE DELIVER IN JUNIOR CUP FIRST ROUND WIN February 9, 2017
ing down the left flank in order to release fullback Mark Noone and wing Robbie Browne. The school from the south-east simply absorbed the pressure and countered well enough to earn another penalty which Tector landed from the left for 11-0 just before the break. It was a hill that needed climbing quickly.
Instead, Kilkenny went straight on the offensive, Tector breaking strongly and Hodgins having the wheels to get on his shoulder for a fine finish in the 33rd minute. Centre Ryan Strong converted while Tector reKilkenny College delivered on their reputation to ceived treatment. make the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Junior They kept the scoreboard ticking over when wing Cup quarter-finals at Donnybrook on Thursday. Adam Strong managed to touch down with a The League finalists got into their stride nice and cluster of defenders in attendance. early as the forwards went about establishing a The game was gone, but not the contest for the platform. ball. There was a flow to their attack and full-back Matthew Hodgins had the athletic ability to take advantage in the 10th minute.
Out-half Charlie Tector kicked a penalty to make it a two-score game in the 15th minute. CBC did what they could to bridge the gap, mov-
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CBC were intent on a fightback, led by captain Liam Forster, to come within five metres before out-half Eoin Quinn chipped over the top for centres Adam Kilroy and James Finnegan to come close to claiming the bouncing ball.
It was as close as they came with Hodgins striking from distance to complete his hat-trick for replacement Dan O’Neill to add the extras. Kilkenny College 30 CBC Monkstown 0 At Donnybrook – KILKENNY COLLEGE COLLEGE (M Hodgins 3 tries; A Strong try; C Tector 2 pens; R Strong, D O’Neill con each); CBC MONKSTOWN 0 Kilkenny: Matthew Hodgins; Adam Strong, Johnny Crossley, Ryan Strong, Ross Jacob; Charlie Tector, Josh Coyle; Scott Neale, Darragh O’Reilly (capt), Craig Chamney, Liam Fennell, Dylan Watchorn, Noah Pim, Glen Culbert, Chris Reynolds. Replacements: Colm Meenagh for Fennell 41 mins; Dylan Whitford for Neale, Finlay Grace for A Strong both 48 mins; Dan O’Neill for Tector 53 mins; Cillian Birney for R Strong 57 mins; Adam Holmes for O’Reilly, Raymond Armitage for Chamney, Sam Treacy for Watchorn all 58 mins. CBC: Mark Noone; Alex Lee, James Finnegan, Adam Kilroy, Robbie Browne; Eoin Quinn, Sean Cronin; Conor Eivers, Seamus Flannery, Naoise Burke, Jack Reynolds, Jack Palmer, Michael Donnelly, Liam Forster (capt), Conor Anderson. Replacements: Jonathan McCann for Anderson 43 mins; Louis Whelan for Eivers 45 mins; Ross Clarke for Donnelly, Cian Meghan for Burke both 56 mins; Mark Newman for Kilroy 57 mins; James Brindley for Lee, Finnian Moloney for Browne, Calum McCoy for Flannery both 58 mins. Referee: Susan Carty, Leinster Branch.
JUNIOR CUP QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEW February 25, 2017 / 12:00 pm / Leinster Rugby Site Editor Blackrock College v Gonzaga College, Donnybrook 3pm (Tuesday) Blackrock were given just what they wanted in a serious test from Terenure for what was, by far, the best match of the first round. They dropped to 6-0 behind in the opening 10 minutes before settling down to shut out ‘Nure, while building the points for a 15-6 win. Gonzaga will be a handful as they look to follow their seniors into the semi-final where they too will meet ‘Rock. Their captain Arthur Henry is another one of the superb outside centres in the competition. His biggest strength is just that – his strength – with a long, powerful fend which is very effective in keeping defenders at arm’s length. They were well-worth their 19-5, three tries-to-one win over St Gerard’s. Second row Conor Carson is not afraid to mix it up in the open spaces and number eight Hugo Fitzgerald is a canny operator from the base. Newbridge College v Wesley College, Donnybrook 3pm (Wednesday) League winners Newbridge were as good as their preCup form suggested in getting over St Mary’s 21-0 in the first round. It was their capacity to absorb pressure that was most eye-catching. They were patient and persistent without the ball, seeming to have a good understanding of when to strike. They were able to keep St Mary’s pointless even though they lost two boys to yellow cards. Their centre John Shanahan is the key to their attack as a source of go-forward with speed men further out in James Gaire and Donal Conroy. Wesley have always relished the role of the underdog. They will endeavour to do what St Mary’s could not, by jumping out to an early lead and finding out how New-
bridge react to having to come from behind. The Fr Godfrey Cup finalists took care of St Andrew’s 22-7 in their first outing. Full-back Jamie Metchette is a dangerous strike runner, knowing when to make his presence felt on the ball. They have true leadership up front from hooker Jamie Kavanagh, lock Tadgh O’Neill and number eight Peter Costello. St Michael’s College v Kilkenny College, Donnybrook 3pm (Thursday)
The hottest of favourites, based on the fact they were
unbeaten all season, St Michael’s are a team of talents. It truly is one of those rare occasions where there are too many threats to manage one or two exclusively. Perhaps, the best illustration of their resources comes through their formidable centre partnership. The star man in Christopher Cosgrave, also their goal-kicker, is a beautifully balanced runner blessed with genuine speed. The boy inside Cosgrave is Tim Gilsenan, a more direct physical option, not short on skills either. They were very good in beating Castleknock 35-10 in the first round, a match in which the northsiders played close to their potential. There was a distinct impression St Michael’s have more gears to go to should they be needed. And they will. Kilkenny are nobody’s chopped liver. They were just outdone 22-20 in the Leinster League final by Newbridge. Their reaction to this setback was to come out and whitewash CBC Monkstown 30-0 in their first round on the basis of an aggressive defence. Full-back Matthew Hodgins is a flowing runner and took most of the plaudits with a hat-trick outside the play-making of out-half Charlie Tector. They have a feisty pack, led by hooker Darragh O’Reilly, their captain, and a combative back row of Noah Pim, Glen Culbert and Chris Reynolds.
Kilkenny College JCT 2017
Back row: Colm Meenagh, Raymond Armitage, Dylan Witford, Craig Claxton, Jack Gillespie, Sam Treacy, Craig Chamney, Glen Culbert, Scott Neale, Chris Reynolds, Darragh O’Reilly(captain), Liam Fennell, Dylan Watchorn, Noah Pim, Dylan O’Bryne Front Row: Adam Holmes, Cillian Birney, Dan O’Neill, Joshua Coyle, Ross Jacob, Ryan Strong, Adam Strong, Matthew Hodgins, Jonathon Crossely, Charlie Tector,Jake Caldbeck, Finlay Grace. gpfoto my photos, your story gpfoto@ymail.com +353 (087) 2424123 © All rights reserved