Belvedere College 42 CBC Monkstown 14
Centre James McKeown was the highlight-reel hero with a hat-trick of tries as Belvedere completed the final four in the Leinster Schools' Senior Cup at Donnybrook.
CBC would have taken note of the exploits of Clongowes Wood and Roscrea in overturning St Michael’s and Blackrock, respectively, in what has been the year of the underdog. But, they could never really land a significant blow at Donnybrook on Friday until it was way too late.
Belvo’ launched a series of impressive raids that yielded tries for wing Seán Long, centre McKeown (2) and outhalf Conor Jennings as they moved ruthlessly 32 points clear by the interval.
There was a clear impression that they would not go the way of other favourites and the quality of their handling belied the greasy conditions on a mild, wet afternoon.
They were swift to switch the play from one side of the field to the other to make use of their speed men with Long particularly impressive cutting in off the wing and McKeown as a consummate support runner.
It was merely a matter of McKeown completing his set of three and Hugo Sexton completing the half dozen by sliding over in injury-time.
In between, brave CBC did manage to find some sort of rhythm to their play, mainly through the maul. There was plenty of commitment and enthusiasm from captain Hugo O’Neill, prop Alex Holmes, hard-hitting centre Ben Mahon and number eight Joe Halwax.
They owned the final quarter and stitched together two tries by Halwax and replacement Seán Tinney, both converted by centre Mahon.
In the immediate aftermath, Belvedere were drawn against Clongowes in the first semi-final on Tuesday March 3rd, while Leinster League finalists Newbridge and Roscrea will duel it out the next day, both back at Donnybrook.
Belvedere: H O'Sullivan; E Cleere, J McKeown, D Monaghan, S Long; C Jennings, G O'Kelly; M Sweeney (capt), A Hynes, E Molloy, C McCaffrey, B Egan, J Iredale, M Kearney, T de Jongh. Replacements: O McGrath for O'Kelly 2 mins – temp; O McGrath for Long 43 mins; F Dillon-Kelly for Molloy 44 mins; S McNulty for Kearney; J Kenny for McCaffrey both 50 mins; H Sexton for McKeown 51 mins; C Galvin for Iredale 57 mins; D McCaffrey for Hynes 65 minutes.
CBC Monkstown: D Porter; S Sweeney, K Shaw, B Mahon, T O'Callaghan; S Doyle, R Jordan; M McGrath, A Holmes, E Clarke, J McAteer, H O'Neill (capt), R Courtney, M Hallam, J Halwax. Replacements: T Kelly for Doyle 16 mins; P Lyons for Courtney ht; P Rogers for Shaw 37 mins; E McCabe for Porter, C Byrden for Holmes both 42 mins; S Tinney for McGrath 65 mins.
Referee: K Beggs, Leinster Branch.
Semi-final draw
Clongowes Wood College v Belvedere College, Tuesday, March 3rd, Donnybrook 4.0pm
Cistercian College, Roscrea v Newbridge College, Wednesday, March 4th, Donnybrook 4.0pm
