THE AWESOME power and all-round finesse of Blackrock College took its toll on Lansdowne in this under-19 McCorry Cup final at Donnybrook last night.
Blackrock came into this final with an "unbeatable" tag. Yet, they looked anything but in an opening 20 minutes that featured some heavy hitting. In short, Lansdowne succeeded in stifling Blackrock's momentum at source.
From the beginning, it was clear that Lansdowne were intent on destroying Blackrock's aura of invincibility. The Lansdowne players took great satisfaction in driving their opponents back in the tackle.
So much so that after 15 minutes Lansdowne were 8-0 ahead. Ray Niland's 12th-minute penalty and prop Derek Dornan's 19th-minute try did the damage.
A Lansdowne penalty on half-way was smacked into the right corner by full back Dermot O Sullivan. From the resulting line-out, hooker Ross Murray found Graham Quinn near the tail and the subsequent maul quickly made its way to Blackrock's line with Durnan in possession.
However, no matter how well Lansdowne defended, Peter Smyth, Robert Casey, Richard Woods and Leo Cullen in the Blackrock pack just kept coming at the opposition, grinding out the yards, wearing them down. Smyth twisted his way over in the 27th minute and centre David Quinlan added the extra points.
Lansdowne held an 8-7 advantage at the break. However, one sensed their supporters knew the players were in for 40 minutes of desperate defence. Blackrock were beginning to monopolise possession, with Casey and Cullen taking ball from the line-out at will.
Nevertheless, it took a three-quarter line movement of absolute precision to prise open the Lansdowne defence in the 62nd minute. Andrew Boyd, Niall O'Donovan (twice), Quinlan and Tom Keating linked to send right wing Rory Guinan over in the right corner.
Blackrock's constant pressure was biting into Lansdowne's reserves and four players were called ashore during the second half. A 68th-minute penalty-try and a 72nd-minute try from prop Mark Fearon, both converted by Quinlan, wrapped matters up for Blackrock.
. England coach Jack Rowell hit back as the criticism mounted over his decision to recall 34-year-old Rob Andrew to the squad for Saturday's match against Wales.
Harlequins coaching director Dick Best followed Wasps supremo Nigel Melville in slamming Rowell for ignoring the younger generation, and accused him of putting his own interests before those of English rugby.
"I cannot understand why former recent England managers and coaches criticise policy and selection in the build-up to important matches," said Rowell. "It has been happening periodically this season and is disruptive to preparations and can be distracting to the team.
"I don't criticise the way other coaches and managers work with their teams. My record speaks for itself. The teams I have coached have won something in every year since 1984 - except when Bath had a double slip-up in 1988."
