Schools Rugby Leinster Senior Cup/ St Michael's College 19 Belvedere College 10: The manner in which St Michael's overcame St Gerard's in the first round confirmed the rumour they were the best team in Leinster.
The mental fortitude exuded here proved they possess the essential tools to win their first Senior Cup.
They were faced by a decent Belvedere side, hard as nails up front, who adopted a gameplan that initially, at least, seemed to have unearthed St Michael's Achilles' heel.
The rucking in the opening 20 minutes was ferocious as Belvedere cleaned their opponents off several of their own balls. The approach had the stamp of Clontarf coach Phil Werahiko all over it.
Conor Colclough was kicking his goals, while flanker Peter Synnott battered his way over for a try in first half injury-time.
St Michael's trailed by 10 points and this was the sort of contest that didn't look like yielding too many more scoring opportunities.
And yet, they still appeared to be the better team. Two significant developments turned things around in an engaging second half. St Michael's showed the depth of their resolve while Belvedere punched themselves to a standstill.
It's one thing possessing talented individuals, which St Michael's do in abundance, but to win the Cup a handful of the group must show composure when placed under intense scrutiny.
At fullback, Michael O'Malley's solidity under the constant early Belvedere bombs visibly settled team-mates.
Conor Cleary is a giant of a schools player. A leader and playmaker at inside centre but built like a blindside flanker.
The imposing presence of Patrick Mallon at number eight is supported by two quality flankers in Alex Byrne and Rajan Reilly.
Belvedere believed they possessed the ability to overcome these players. Number eight and captain Jonathan Slattery was magnificent for the opening three quarters before eventually succumbing to cramp. His late knock on from a straightforward fielding exercise signified Belvedere were finally feeling the effects of this war of attrition.
St Michael's loosehead Ian Leonard was dragged into an individual battle with Belvedere tight head Nermin Lovic that will leave both players with an improved dimension to their games. Leonard was a Goliath in the loose.
In fact, it was his gut-busting run into the 22 that laid the foundation for the contest's decisive score. Scrumhalf Freddie Mehigan provided Stephen Malone with snappy service before the outhalf popped to Cleary.
The captain skipped Reilly to put fellow centre Rory Pratt in space. Pratt fed Alex Byrne who fixed the defence before handing over to Mallon to drive over the line.
Not even an organised defence like Belvedere's could deny a free flowing move involving every back and backrower, be it quick hands or decoy running.
That's why St Michael's look capable of winning the Cup. They don't allow the added pressure of the occasion to inhibit their style.
That try made it 10-8 to Belvedere with 25 minutes remaining. Noel Reid was immediately sent into the action to relieve Cleary of the touchline conversion.
Reid was the kicker on the team that made last season's final. Injury and illness meant this was his first appearance in the Cup this season.
The conversion was wide but 12 minutes later he put his team in front for the first time with a straightforward penalty. Belvedere messed up the restart and St Michael's made them pay.
A clever punt from Cleary put play into the Belvedere 22. When the defending team were pinged for pulling down a maul, Reid landed another penalty, this time from near the touchline to make it 14-10.
Belvedere continued to press the issue but they were out on their feet.
With two minutes remaining outhalf John Moriarty had a clearance kick blocked down by John Daniel and the hooker proceeded to dive on the loose ball. Reid struck the post from the conversion.
St Michael's even have the potential to improve before playing Blackrock or Kilkenny in the semi-final on March 6th.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 7 mins: C Colclough pen, 0-3; 36: P Synnott try, 0-8; C Colclough conv, 0-10. 36: C Cleary pen, 3-10; 44: P Mallon try, 8-10; 56: N Reid pen, 11-10; 60: N Reid pen, 14-10; 68: J Daniel try, 19-10.
ST MICHAEL'S COLLEGE: M O'Malley; D Marshall, R Pratt, C Cleary, P Brophy; S Malone, F Mehigan; I Leonard, J Daniel, M Kelly, C O'Sullivan, S Mahony, A Byrne, R Reilly, P Mallon. Replacements: N Reid for D Marshall (45 mins); K McKenna for C O'Sullivan (67 mins).
BELVEDERE COLLEGE: J McDevitt; N Myron, C Colclough, A Kenny, M Keating; J Moriarty, C Spelman; CJ Barry, T Sexton, N Lovic, E Browne, D White; S Breen, P Synnott, J Slattery. Replacements: J Torsney for CJ Barry, M Kenna for E Browne (both 60 mins).
Referee: D Philips(ARLB).
