THE dazzling footwork of Castleknock left wing Bruce McDevitt proved the difference between two evenly matched sides in this first round meeting at Templeville Road.
A first half stalemate saw McDevitt and Gonzaga full back Colin Mullins miss penalties. Early in the second half, Castleknock produced the one fluent movement of the match. It was to prove enough. Liam Slyne, Ian Hopkins, David Churchward and Tommy Horan all handled before McDevitt injected the necessary pace to take him past the Gonzaga defence and under the posts for the touchdown.
Hopkins missed the subsequent conversion, however, and Castleknock nearly paid thee price. With the forwards rucking superbly, and full back Mullins particularly dangerous, Gonzaga, enjoyed the territorial advantage thereafter. Castleknock realised the threat posed by Mullins and countered it sufficiently to hold on to their narrow advantage.