This article is pulled from Leinsterrugby.ie on 17th December 2024:
Blackrock College lead the charge in Bank of Ireland JP Fanagan Premier 2 Super Six Group 1
Author Des Berry Posted17th December 2024 Estimated Reading Time3 minutes
The Bank of Ireland JP Fanagan (U-20) Premier 2 league has been divided into two phases this season.
The first phase consisted of two groups of six clubs, in which the teams played each other once.
From there, the top three in each group move on to the Super Six Section A and the bottom three in each group move on to the Super Six Section B.
In this regard, Blackrock College (5-0), Dublin University 2 (3-1) and De La Salle Palmerston (3-2) from one group have been joined by St Mary’s College (4-1), UCD 2 (4-1) and Buccaneers (4-1) from the other to form Premier 2 Super Six Section A.
Blackrock College lead the way on 17 points, adding a draw against UCD (38-all) and Sunday’s win over Buccaneers (36-17) to the wins carried forward from defeating Dublin University 2 (34-14) and DLSP (17-3) in the initial group.
Coach Mark Macginty has been encouraged at how ‘Rock has shown resilience when losing at half-time.
Last Sunday week, they were 14 points down to UCD at one stage and seven adrift with just three minutes left, before fighting back to claw out a draw.
Hooker Jamie Rogan has improved greatly over the last 18 months, while loosehead prop Ernie O’Brien and wing Harry Casey have been prolific try-scorers.
Second row David Leane has marshalled the lineout well and Paddy Bramley has provided physicality.
St Mary’s College saved their best for the last round before Christmas, beating Dublin University 36-17 at College Park on Sunday to put them second, six points adrift of Blackrock.
Tighthead prop James Molloy has been an anchor in the scrum and Liam Flaherty is a standard setter for physicality in and around the ruck.
They are quick to look to the razor-sharp Jack Halpin to provide a difference in the back division with Ethan Kenny making the decisions at out-half.
Third-placed UCD have not quite found their footing, falling to arch-rivals Dublin University (34-29) at the start of December and drawing one they should have won against Blackrock.
Hooker Fionn Devereaux has been a standout for his consistency in a competitive pack of forwards.
James Mason is something of a late bloomer in the centre and Josh Powell has been a spark plug around the field.
Dublin University have lost two out of three to Buccaneers (25-17) and St Mary’s (36-17) to drop to fourth on the ladder.
Unfortunately, flanker Josh Perrem’s stellar form has been interrupted by injury but Oliver Scott has still made an impact at number eight.
The energy of Freddie Bracken Smith, nephew of ex-England international Kyran Bracken, has been infectious from scrum-half.
Winger Charlie Murphy has emerged as their dangerman, notching a hat-trick against UCD.
Buccaneers have improved as the season has progressed, strengthened by the return of their GAA contingent.
But the win over Dublin University (25-17) was balanced by the loss to leaders Blackrock (36-17) on Sunday to leave them in fifth place.
Number eight Niall Tallon, openside Patrick Egan and full-back Dylan Duffy have backboned their campaign with Blackrock, St Mary’s and UCD set to come to Athlone in the new year.
Bottom club DLSP scraped into the top group with a return of won three, lost two from their opening five games.
Since then, Salmo’s best performance of the season came two rounds ago when surprising St Mary’s 24-22 at Templeville Road.
The table can be misleading as Blackrock (17-3) were forced to dig deep to overcome the club from the Dublin hills.
They have skilful, playmaking operators in out-half Johny Cazzini and centre Will Saunders to prosper from the correct service.
Coach Conor Holland can trust the commitment of flanker Leo Troy as his captain, working beside vice-captains Harry Machesney, Aaron Murphy and Saunders.
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