It was a bona fide classic, an utterly compelling and wonderfully entertaining tussle between two enterprising teams. The quality of rugby was excellent for large periods of the game, a toe-to-toe gritty, physical duel in front of 6,500 appreciative spectators.
The ebb and flow of the proceedings in terms of ascendancy on the scoreboard merely augmented the standard of fare and the see-saw nature of the last eight minutes plus injury-time made for riveting viewing. At it's best, schools' rugby throws up a handful of magnificent encounters, and yesterday's clash could be bracketed with the best.
Blackrock entered the game as favourites, physically bigger and stronger up front, and were expected to subdue the Clongowes forwards. The initial exchanges seemed to vouchsafe that assertion, with Blackrock's big prop Jodie Danagher and the equally formidable number eight and captain Michael Carroll, making big territorial inroads.
Those who undervalue the merits of any Clongowes pack do so at their peril. The Kildare school's pack proceeded to offer an exhibition of exemplary rucking, frequently pinching Blackrock ball, simply through good positional play and hitting rucks as a unit.
Despite the physical mismatch up front, Clongowes drove right at the heart of the Blackrock pack, eschewing the boot in favour of retaining possession. It seems churlish to single out individuals in a fine pack performance but Clongowes number eight and captain - regular captain John Smyth missed the match with a thumb injury - Aidan Proctor worked prodigiously.
Behind the scrum centre David Clavin produced a colossal performance, his strength and angles of running a constant handful for the Blackrock defence. Philip Treacy was assured at full back, dropping an excellent goal while right wing Stephen McGee was an elusive runner, capping a fine performance with a brilliant try.
Collectively Clongowes were just that little bit more cohesive whereas Blackrock relied more on individuals. Carroll, Danagher and right wing Daire Higgins all enjoyed fine moments but it was full back Martin Olima who was their most potent weapon. He scored a magnificent try from 75 metres and always looked dangerous.
Blackrock dominated the lineouts winning virtually every Clongowes throw yet failed to maintain the pressure. They cantered into an 8-0 lead through Olima's unconverted try and a penalty from flanker Philip Van Esbeck. Clongowes showed their mettle by responding two minutes from the interval.
Clavin almost made the line but a great double tackle stopped him inches short. The Kildare school maintained the pressure and from a ruck close to the line Clavin forced his way over. McGee converted and when Treacy dropped a goal after 55 minutes Clongowes scented an upset. To their credit Blackrock responded in a champions' manner, and Van Esbeck nudged them in front following a penalty that was reversed by the intercession of touch judge Conor Brannigan.
McGee restored Clongowes' lead with an excellent 28 metre penalty before effectively sealing victory with a superb try one minute from time. Clavin's loop and well-timed pass put McGee away and he superbly bypassed two defenders to score close to the posts. He missed the conversion and his team-mates had to survive two or three long range surges by Blackrock before celebrating.
Scoring Sequence: 5 mins: Olima try, 5-0; 24: Van Esbeck penalty, 8-0; 33: Clavin try, McGee conversion, 8-7. Half-time: 8-7. 55: Treacy drop goal, 8-10; Van Esbeck penalty, 11-10; 64: McGee penalty, 11-13; 69: McGee try, 11-18.
Clongowes: P Treacy; S McGee, R Jenkinson, D Clavin, P Berkery; M Britton, C Matthews; J Moran, M Kelly, D McKeown; M Egan, D Lync h; R O'Toole, A Proctor (capt), M Rooney. Replacements: D Hickey for Egan 65 mins; S Dunne for McKeown 70 mins.
Blackrock: M Olima; D Higgins, P Mulrean, J Ronan, K O'Leary; C Sharpe, R Molloy; D Burke, G Hegarty, J Danagher; C Davis, D Ganno n; J Conway, M Carroll (capt), P Van Esbeck. Replace- ments: G Fitzgerald for Burke 60 mins; J Healy for Conway 62 mins; R McCormack for Olima 67 mins.
Referee: T Redmond (Leinster).
