Gonzaga College 21 Newpark 0:GONZAGA OVERCAME awful conditions and a strong Newpark challenge to book their place in the Vinnie Murray Cup final at Anglesea Road yesterday.
The 2008 winners got off to a dream start when Patrick Lavelle’s strong run allowed winger Seán Murphy to score under the posts after just four minutes of play.Stephen Murphy added the conversion.
Newpark didn’t let their poor start get to them and were the better side for most of the first half. But they couldn’t make their field position pay thanks to Gonzaga’s excellent defensive lineout and the tackling of their centres Murphy and Richard Diviney who forced a number of knock-ons.
The Ranelagh boys turned the screw during the second half and prop Ceithrean Murray scored after ripping the ball from a maul and crashing over. Murphy kicked the conversion, and they added an injury-time third as substitute Andrew McEvoy held off Michael Halpin’s tackle to score.
GONZAGA:J Fitzpatrick; R Lenehan (M Fitzpatrick 57), D Diviney (C Ó Brolchain 66), Stephen Murphy (A McEvoy 63), Sean Murphy; M McPhillips, H Byrne; C Murray, C McDowell, K Hargaden (J McDowell 60); C O'Leary, H Mays (O O'Cleirigh 40); P Lavelle, M McGroarty, D Seaver O'Leary.
NEWPARK:S Crowe; O Dwyer, E O'Connor, F Halpin, E Black; M Halpin (F Hawley 70), E Thornley (P Collins 70); A Marshall, J Sheehan (R Heffernan h-t), S Reynolds; R Garland, N Sundermann; J Wheatley (B Clarke 55), Z Jurgmann, L Hanratty (H Connor 44).
Referee:W Sheridan (ARLB).
