Rock roll on to face Belvo
Ross Deegan scores a try. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Blackrock powered to the Leinster Senior Cup final at The RDS on St Patrick's Day by taking out Gonzaga 34-8 at Donnybrook.
What a fascinating prospect it will be to see how the holders Belvedere deal with the athleticism and bulk of 'Rock.
They went behind to Gonzaga out-half Michael O'Kennedy's penalty before striking for 17 points from tries by lock John Fairley and centre Liam Turner to take control.
Full-back Tom Roche stretched the lead. But, Gonzaga full-back David Lynch hit back in spectacular fashion.
There was room enough for replacement Ross Deegan to finish in style and for Roche to bag his second try of the afternoon.
Rock outf-half Peter O'Reilly, who also plays Gaelic football with Kilmacud Crokes, kicked on penalty and three conversions over the 70 minutes.
Blackrock: T Roche; T Maher, L Turner (R Deegan 38), J Moriarty, D Heavey (G Jones 64); P O'Reilly, P Patterson (R Fahy 61); G Coyne (C Delaney 60), S McLoughlin (S Molony 42), J Byrne (T Clarkson ht), J Fairley (M Carroll 64), A Murphy, M McGagh, A Francis (J Burke 60), C Reilly (capt).
Gonzaga: D Lynch; H Twomey (E Allen 61), B O'Donnell, E Barr (F McHugh 53, J Connolly 62), S Galvin; M O'Kennedy, J Kenny; M Gleeson (M Meagher 51), C Gleeson (capt), S Clear, E Buggy, C Fassbender (C Goulding 53), I O'Grady (M Holly 67), M Keegan (J Veale 46), R Kidney (D Carson 65).
Referee: H O'Reilly, Leinster Branch.
