GONZAGA DEFEAT A FAMILY AFFAIR The McEvoy household must have been a quiet place on Sunday evening as Gonzaga full-back Dan McEvoy and out-half Will McEvoy were joined in their disappointment at the 6-3 loss to Blackrock by their mother, Gill, who was the acting doctor on the day for the school.

BLACKROCK SWEAT ON SMITH Blackrock College will have to wait on a medical report to see if their blindside forward Robert Smith will be passed to play their quarter-final against Kilkenny College. He received a blow to the head and appeared disorientated as he left the pitch.

AMERICAN DREAM FOR �?G MURPHY St Munchin's College captain Liam �?g Murphy has reacted positively to being left out of the Ireland Under19 squad. He will travel across the Atlantic to trial with the USA Under-19s in the hope making the cut for the World Cup in Belfast this April.

BREAKTHROUGH OVER THE BORDER It is difficult to judge the varying strengths of the provinces, but Clongowes Wood College, second favourites to St Michael's College in Leinster, gave Portora Royal, one of the eight-seeded schools in Ulster, a 36-12 hammering in their "nal friendly before the cup.