Boyle leads the charge to put Michael’s in dreamland
HAIL glorious St Michael’s as for the third time the most coveted trophy in Leinster underage rugby makes the short journey to Ailesbury Road.
The final scoreline is a little harsh on Gonzaga in their first Senior Cup final but the title rests where it is most deserved as the best team over the course of the competition delivered a winning performance appropriate to the occasion.
It was difficult not to feel for Gonzaga as they gave it their best shot. They will be disappointed that having crossed for a precious try into a difficult wind just before the break they failed to capitalise on the advantage of the elements in the second period.
Game on
At just 12-5 down and with that wind advantage to follow, it was game on.
But despite this being a young Michael’s squad (with many in fifth year) the presence and leadership of skipper Mark Hernan has been central to the high level of performance in every round.
Along with fellow flanker Jack Guinane and No 8 Will Hickey, this back-row unit has been exceptional.
Hickey, loosehead Jack Boyle and scrum-half Rob Gilsenan were the stand out figures in the decider.
Michael’s announced their intent in the fourth minute with a powerful driving maul from inside their own 22 and up to half-way, culminating in a penalty. It was an early psychological blow via the setpiece, and the kick up the line from the again excellent Chris Cosgrave established field position for Hickey and Boyle in particular to carry hard into contact.
Once they got within striking distance of the try line there was only going to be one outcome. The tactic worked twice, with tries in the eighth and 24th minutes, with the impressive Boyle the scorer on each occasion.
Cosgrave converted both with conviction, as he has done from the tee throughout this campaign.
The Gonzaga response was immediate and for the next ten minutes they dominated position and possession, with Jack Coolican’s try on the half-time whistle just reward for player and team.
But Michael’s took control after the break. The picking and driving so effective in the first half was garnished by some pragmatic kicking for the corners in the second.
Further tries followed from Lee Barron and then on the hour from Gilsenan with the latter score the pick of the day involving the hard-grafting Simon O’Kelly, the effervescent Smith, the speedy Eddie Kelly and the hugely influential Gilsenan in a length-ofthe-pitch effort.
It was a try befitting the occasion but it was extremely difficult not to feel for Gonzaga.
They gave it their all with hooker Hugo Fitzgerald, lock Coolican, Jack Connolly (the latest off the Gonzaga scrum-half conveyor belt, following Matt Healy and John Cooney) and full-back Conor Hennessy too having his moments.
But in the final analysis that defensive Michael’s shield, particularly around ruck and maul, proved almost impenetrable.
It makes up for the bitter disappointment of last year’s semifinal exit and the one that got away. No-one will begrudge the most complete squad in the competition this success now as the cream has well and truly risen.