Mount Temple gave Monkstown a run for their money at Distillery Road yesterday, but in the end it was Monkstown who progressed through to the next round.

Monkstown have to look back to 1976 for their last success in the competition when they defeated Castleknock in the final and vast improvement is needed if they are to have any chance of upstaging the big guns this time round. They particularly struggled in the line-out with the Mount Temple forwards outjumping them on numerous occasions. The game was ultimately decided by the Monkstown back division, who always posed the greater threat. And shortly before half-time, full back Stephen O'Connor struck in the corner following a sweeping move from right to left.

Centre Ken Walsh, arguably their most effective player on the day, then brought them into double figures midway through the second half. But Mount Temple's pack responded with greater character and a penalty from Jeff Moore on 57 minutes was just reward for their efforts in the final quarter.