Heartbreak in Dublin as last-gasp penalty denies PSS Newbridge
A last-minute huddle for PSS Newbridge at Energia Park, Donnybrook. Photo: PSS Newbridge.
Patrician Secondary School Newbridge suffered a heartbreaking defeat yesterday (Thursday, December 11th) in the Pat Rossiter Leinster Junior Cup Final, losing out to St Paul’s College Raheny.
The sides were level at 20 points apiece with the clock in the red at Energia Park, Donnybrook, but a penalty from Raheny from just inside the 22 was enough to clinch the title for the Dublin school.
The journey to the final was a thrilling one for Newbridge, who set their stall out early in the competition, running in five tries for an impressive 34-14 victory over Maynooth.
St Mary's of Edenderry were the opposition for the semi-finals where Newbridge again scored well over 30 points as another five tries helped them to a 36-17 triumph.
The Kildare school found themselves two points adrift at half time, with a great try from lock Wiktor Kuzniewicz as well as a penalty from fly half Ronan Carroll leaving Newbridge down 10-8 at the break.
St Paul's kicked a penalty to five up before a wonderful try from Ryan Rushe and subsequent conversion from Carroll saw Newbridge go in front in a "tense and nerve wracking second half."
A brilliant finish from winger Dean Hanniffy-Murnaghan gave Newbridge their third try, but Raheny managed to get back on level terms late on.
With the game seemingly destined for extra time it was a penalty with the very last kick of the game that proved to be the difference as St Paul’s captured the Paul Rossiter Cup.
"It was an absolute punch in the guts for our lads, however, they represented the school and their clubs and families with great pride," PSS Newbridge said.
"Not an easy defeat to take but what a performance of bravery and skill by everyone involved. Hard luck lads, we are very proud of you and your efforts."
Ronan Malone; Dean Hanniffy-Murnaghan, Ryan Rushe, Carl Pinero, Mark Lacey; Ronan Carroll, Calum Kinsella; Declan Jennings, Cole Sheridan, Elliot Lane; Wiktor Kuzniewicz, Tadgh Conlon; Oscar Cummins, Jake O'Connor, Ethan Brannock.
Charlie Burke, Eoghan Lane, Daniel Fitzpatrick, Mason Comerford, Owen Murphy, Logan O'Loughlin, Malachy Ryan, Toni Perkovic.
George McCormack; Shane Smyth, Matthew Smyth, Noah Johnston-Breen, Riley Monahan; Zach Ramsay, Tom Cooke; Josh Carthy, Charlie Coll, Ben Smith; Dominik Markowicz, Sam Doyle; Arthur Mallon, Jack Farrell, Zach Orr.
Sean McQuaid, Sam Mogerley, Daniel Armour, James Sinnott, Michael Mallon, Patrick Ryan, Oran Dooley, Floyd Coyne.
