Dramatic Leinster Senior Cup Final Heads to Replay After Blackrock Comeback
A thrilling Leinster Senior Cup final between Blackrock College and St Mary’s College ended in a 24-24 draw, setting the stage for a highly anticipated replay. The match, played at Tallaght Stadium in front of 8,736 spectators, saw a last-gasp conversion from Blackrock captain Luke Coffey snatch a draw and deny St Mary’s a first title since 2002.
Last-Minute Heroics Define the Contest
The game culminated in a dramatic finish as Blackrock secured a late try through Cian McCarron in the 79th minute. The conversion attempt, under immense pressure and battling windy conditions, was calmly slotted by captain Luke Coffey, leveling the score and forcing a replay.
Blackrock head coach Justin Vanstone acknowledged the difficulty of the kick, stating he’d “back him 99 times out of 100,” but conceded the wind significantly increased the challenge. The late surge kept alive Blackrock’s hopes of achieving a three-in-a-row, a feat they haven’t accomplished in 62 years.
A Game of Shifting Momentum
Blackrock started strongly, capitalizing on the wind advantage to build a 17-7 lead by halftime with tries from Harry O’Neill and Bernard White, alongside Coffey’s accurate kicking. However, St Mary’s mounted a spirited comeback in the third quarter, mirroring their semi-final performance against Terenure, where they overcame a 10-point deficit.
Tries from Eoghan Brady, Daniel Tourish, and Joseph Christle, coupled with Paul Neary’s accurate conversions and a late penalty, saw St Mary’s take the lead 24-17. Despite the momentum shift, Blackrock refused to yield, ultimately forcing the dramatic draw.
Coaches Reflect on a Rollercoaster Ride
St Mary’s head coach Kieran Moloney described the match as a “rollercoaster,” acknowledging the emotional highs and lows experienced by both teams. Vanstone conceded his team “got out of jail,” emphasizing the opportunity the replay presents.
Both coaches highlighted the difficulty of preparing their players for the emotional fallout of such a close contest and the need for quick recovery ahead of the replay.
Team Lineups
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: C McCloskey. A Vetjens, J Browne, B White, A Aschenbrenner; P Scally, L Coffey (capt); L Magee, H O’Neill, B Guerin; C Power, G Eggars; C McCarron, P Agnew, T Keaveney.
Replacements: R Kenneally for C Power (47 mins); R Keogh for P Agnew (51); L Golden for L Magee (53); L Hill for Keaveney (57); L Kelly for B Guerin (63), S Moloney for P Scally (67).
ST MARY’S COLLEGE: J Kelly; C Maguire, C Cantwell, D Tourish, N Sheehan; P Neary, J Fogarty; T Quigley, J Christle, D Kenny; E Brady, E Farrell; M Egan, A McGauran (capt), S Thornton.
Replacements: J Whitty for M Egan (47 mins).
Scoring Summary
Blackrock: H O’Neill try, B White try, C McCarron try, L Coffey 3 cons, 1 pen.
St Mary’s: E Brady try, D Tourish try, J Christle try, P Neary 3 cons, 1 pen.
FAQ
When and where is the replay? The replay will be held next Monday at Donnybrook Stadium.
Who were the key players in the match? Luke Coffey’s late conversion was crucial for Blackrock, while Paul Neary was instrumental for St Mary’s with his kicking, and playmaking.
What was the attendance at the final? The match was attended by 8,736 spectators.
What is at stake in the replay? The Leinster Senior Cup title and, for Blackrock, the chance to secure a three-in-a-row.
Did either team have any injuries? No injury information was provided in the source material.
Pro Tip: Maintain an eye on the weather forecast for the replay, as wind conditions could again play a significant role in the outcome.
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