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Keane breaks Temple hearts Rugby Leinster Schools Section A

Skerries Community College out-half Owen Keane struck an injury-time penalty to break the hearts of Mount Temple in a thrilling…

Thu Nov 27 2003 - 00:00

Skerries Community College out-half Owen Keane struck an injury-time penalty to break the hearts of Mount Temple in a thrilling, 24-23 outcome to the Leinster Schools Section A McMullen Senior Cup quarter-final at ALSAA yesterday.

The game crackled with all the excitement and adventure that makes schools rugby such compelling viewing. Skerries produced three first-half tries from wings Eddie O'Mahony and Damian Daly (two) to go in 21-15 to the good.

Temple's Alan Corcoran claimed his second try in the 49th minute to reduce the deficit to 21-20 and Ian Denham looked to have kicked them to victory with his second penalty at the end of normal time, but Keane rose to the challenge to dissect the posts.

It was just as nerve-wrecking at Railway Union where Shane O'Connell's late penalty sent St Conleth's College to the last four with a 17-15 defeat of Sandford Park. Sandford outscored the opposition two tries to one through scrumhalf Rory Allwright and wing Thomas McFall, but centre Phil McGlade's superb individual effort in the 51st minute paved the way for O'Connell's winning kick.

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Newpark Comprehensive held off the persistent challenge of St Mel's College, Longford, to come through 10-8 at Edenderry. Outhalf Matthew Colquhoun's penalty gave Newpark a 3-0 lead at the break.

St Mel's equalised from a Philip Dardis penalty in the 39th minute and were soon ahead when Seán Macken glided through the opposition defence.

Right wing Columba Kelly strode over under the posts to set up Colquhoun's all-important conversion.

At ALSAA: Skerries Community College 24 (D Daly 2 tries; E O'Mahony try; O Keane 2 pens, dr gl), Mount Temple 23 (A Corcoran 2 tries; M Rantz-MacDonald try; I Denham 2 pens, con).

At Railway Union: St Conleth's College 17 (P McGlade try; S O'Connell 3 pens; J Doherty pen), Sandford Park 15 (R Allwright, T McFall try each; P O'Brien pen, con).

At Naas: St Patrick's Classical School, Navan 45 (S Gallagher 3 tries; A McCormack 2 tries, 5 cons; S Dawson, C Brady try each), Good Counsel College, New Ross 0.

At Edenderry: Newpark Comprehensive 10 (C Kelly try; M Colquhoun pen, con); St Mel's College, Longford 8 (S Macken try; P Dardis pen).