St. Gerard's edged out
ST GERARD'S 6 ST MICHAEL'S 15
Action from the game between St. Gerard's and St. Michael's. Credit: (Photo: Maeve Jenkins)
Wednesday March 10 2010
FOR THE third time in this year's Leinster Schools Senior Cup, David was readying his slingshot. As St. Gerard's School took on St. Michael's College in Donnybrook for a place in the Leinster Schools Senior Cup final. The opening minutes were really a battle of wits more than anything; both full backs exchanged points before anything materialized.
Outhalf Steven Crosbie mishandled a pass from his half back partner O'Rourke and Michael's now had a perfect attacking platform within the Gerard's half.
Paddy Dix and Luke McGrath executed a set piece move perfectly and isolated wing Jett Desmond, McGrath fed the ball to wing Mark Corballis and the winger showed great agility and acceleration to evade Josh Glynn's tackle and touchdown in the corner. First blood to St. Michael's.
The younger Crosbie saw a small hole and showed delicate hand to offload to brother Jody and after the initial break. Strong and well drilled defence saw Michael's turn the ball over but it led to a penalty being conceded, to which Glynn duly converted.
Michaels' came back strongly after the penalty and put the Thornhill Road School under great pressure which ultimately led to another mistake. After five minutes of sustained attack, the St. Gerard's defence were stretched and Number 8 Paddy Dix showed soft hands to set up Dave Egan for another score.
Shorty after Glynn sweetly slotted over a penalty a penalty for St. Gerards's to close the gap to four points at the interval.
St. Michael's who took the initiative in the second half with a sublime counter attack which was started by winger Mark Corballis and resulted in a try for winger Dave Egan on the other side of the pitch.
The game stayed 15-6 for the rest of the half, as Gerard's held possession with Michael's happy enough to set up shop and make the tackles.
- David Murray
