Page 90 - The Gonzaga Record 1986
P. 90
were shown in the new year when with Roscrea centre broke upfield. But out-
a great team spirit we went on a long, half Paul Coyle managed to stop him,
unbeaten run, the climax of which was and he then sent Eoin Brophy on a run
the return match against Pres. Bray from which he nearly scored in the
(the Cup holders) in which Gonzaga corner. With the seconds of injury
claimed revenge in a stylish 16-10 time ticking away, pack leader David
victory. Everyone was pleased with the Stritch broke from the resultant line-
Cup draw: a bye into the second round out and barged over for the deserved
where we were to meet Wesley College. try. With virtually the last kick of
Morale was high and even though the the game, Eoin Brophy landed the
burly Rory O'Brien was unavailable, it touch line conversion to drag his team
was still thought that Gonzaga should through to a replay.
win the match in the forwards. With both teams now fully fit, the
replay promised to be even more excit-
The Cup record ing than the first game. Indeed, it was,
to quote The Irish Times 'the outstand-
On cup day in the Belfield 'Bowl' the ing match of the competition: Gonzaga
predictions all came true. The heavier dominated the early stages of this
Gonzaga pack drove Wesley into de- match once again through the efforts
feat. The hard working front five used of their pack. We opened the scoring
their tremendous scrummaging power with a concerted push-over try credited
to provide the platform the back row to the number eight, Aengus Kelly.
and half backs needed to create try- Roscrea responded with the penalty
scoring chances. In this way flanker kick. The score at half time was 6-3
Brendan McVeigh and scrum-half Paul and it seemed that victory was well
Slattery both scored tries. Late in the within the reach of Gonzaga. However,
game Eoin Brophy sent winger Kevin Roscrea came storming back with a try
Quinn over the corner after a strong in the corner for their excellent centre
run by the full back. Brophy also and captain. But yet again Gonzaga
landed the touch line conversion. A set up camp in the Roscrea half. Gal-
late penalty goal by Wesley made the lagher broke from a maul close to the
final score 14-3. line; Kelly was on hand to take the pass
The quarter final was to be held in for his second try. But Roscrea broke
Donnybrook against a very talented through yet again to take a 13-10 lead.
Roscrea side, just over a week later. The stage was set for an exciting finish.
But then a 'flu epidemic hit Third year, After intense pressure Gonzaga made
numbering virtually all the Junior the breakthrough when prop Dave Ken-
team among its victims. It was there- nedy capitalised on fumbled possess-
fore a much physically weaker team ion by the Roscrea half-backs to get
that took the field against Roscrea, the winning try. Brophy added the con-
albeit somewhat strengthened by Rory version. The final score was 16-13 and
O'Brien's return. It was not surprising for the first time Gonzaga had ad-
that Gonzaga were 6-0 down going vanced to the semi-final of the Cup.
into the final quarter. Roscrea's At this point I would like to
converted try came after a well- acknowledge the support we received
executed movement by their dangerous during the Cup campaign. It was a
back line. But showing great spirit, tribute to the supporters that in the
Gonzaga put in a huge final effort to semi-final they outnumbered and out-
get that desperately needed score. cheered the Blackrock support. I can
However, all seemed lost for Gonzaga honestly say that our juniors 'shook
when, after encamping unsuccessfully the 'Rock' and only luck prevented it
on the Roscrea line, the strong-running from crumbling. In similar circum-
88
a great team spirit we went on a long, half Paul Coyle managed to stop him,
unbeaten run, the climax of which was and he then sent Eoin Brophy on a run
the return match against Pres. Bray from which he nearly scored in the
(the Cup holders) in which Gonzaga corner. With the seconds of injury
claimed revenge in a stylish 16-10 time ticking away, pack leader David
victory. Everyone was pleased with the Stritch broke from the resultant line-
Cup draw: a bye into the second round out and barged over for the deserved
where we were to meet Wesley College. try. With virtually the last kick of
Morale was high and even though the the game, Eoin Brophy landed the
burly Rory O'Brien was unavailable, it touch line conversion to drag his team
was still thought that Gonzaga should through to a replay.
win the match in the forwards. With both teams now fully fit, the
replay promised to be even more excit-
The Cup record ing than the first game. Indeed, it was,
to quote The Irish Times 'the outstand-
On cup day in the Belfield 'Bowl' the ing match of the competition: Gonzaga
predictions all came true. The heavier dominated the early stages of this
Gonzaga pack drove Wesley into de- match once again through the efforts
feat. The hard working front five used of their pack. We opened the scoring
their tremendous scrummaging power with a concerted push-over try credited
to provide the platform the back row to the number eight, Aengus Kelly.
and half backs needed to create try- Roscrea responded with the penalty
scoring chances. In this way flanker kick. The score at half time was 6-3
Brendan McVeigh and scrum-half Paul and it seemed that victory was well
Slattery both scored tries. Late in the within the reach of Gonzaga. However,
game Eoin Brophy sent winger Kevin Roscrea came storming back with a try
Quinn over the corner after a strong in the corner for their excellent centre
run by the full back. Brophy also and captain. But yet again Gonzaga
landed the touch line conversion. A set up camp in the Roscrea half. Gal-
late penalty goal by Wesley made the lagher broke from a maul close to the
final score 14-3. line; Kelly was on hand to take the pass
The quarter final was to be held in for his second try. But Roscrea broke
Donnybrook against a very talented through yet again to take a 13-10 lead.
Roscrea side, just over a week later. The stage was set for an exciting finish.
But then a 'flu epidemic hit Third year, After intense pressure Gonzaga made
numbering virtually all the Junior the breakthrough when prop Dave Ken-
team among its victims. It was there- nedy capitalised on fumbled possess-
fore a much physically weaker team ion by the Roscrea half-backs to get
that took the field against Roscrea, the winning try. Brophy added the con-
albeit somewhat strengthened by Rory version. The final score was 16-13 and
O'Brien's return. It was not surprising for the first time Gonzaga had ad-
that Gonzaga were 6-0 down going vanced to the semi-final of the Cup.
into the final quarter. Roscrea's At this point I would like to
converted try came after a well- acknowledge the support we received
executed movement by their dangerous during the Cup campaign. It was a
back line. But showing great spirit, tribute to the supporters that in the
Gonzaga put in a huge final effort to semi-final they outnumbered and out-
get that desperately needed score. cheered the Blackrock support. I can
However, all seemed lost for Gonzaga honestly say that our juniors 'shook
when, after encamping unsuccessfully the 'Rock' and only luck prevented it
on the Roscrea line, the strong-running from crumbling. In similar circum-
88
