The blue bloods of the Leinster Schools Rugby world, Blackrock College are rolling again in 2013, led by their powerful No 8, Nick Timoney.
When you have 66 Leinster Senior Cups to your name, you are entitled to walk with a bit of swagger. Blackrock College are the undisputed kings of the Leinster Schools Rugby scene and with their last title all the way back in 2009, the heat is on for the ‘Rock to land a title this year.
Tucked in behind Terenure on the bookies list of favourites for this year’s Cup, the signs are good. A tricky looking first round match with Gonzaga turned into a comfortable 44-18 victory and the main man in that game was No 8 Nick Timoney.
The driving force at the base of the Blackrock scrum, Timoney set up the opener in that game and his drive and running make him a valuable attacking weapon for Blackrock.
The quarter-final draw has been favourable to Blackrock, with Kilkenny College due to meet them in Donnybrook on Wednesday. Negotiate that obstacle and the final will be within touching distance.
Ideally, at least from a neutrals point of view, we would love to see Blackrock come up against Terenure at some point after their epic clash in the first round last year, which was won by ‘Nure 17-15.
That could be a clash for the ages, and a glimpse at some of the brightest talent in Ireland all on one pitch. Timoney would come up against many of his Leinster Schools interpro counterparts, a grade in which he has a happy knack of scoring tries.
He has yet to cross in this year’s school competition but we wouldn’t put it past him. If Timoney does find his scoring touch, ‘Rock may roll all the way to the big one in March.
