St Patrick's Navan didn't have things all their own way in a tight 19-7 defeat of Moyne Community School in the first round of the Leinster Schools Junior Cup (Section A) at Mullingar yesterday.
St Patrick's retain just one player from the side which won the Section A trophy last year. Philip Culligan has made a seamless move from the wing to outhalf and he was very much a boy in charge. He finished off one move for his own try and converted those of full back David Keating and prop Chris Curtis.
Moyne were not in the least overpowered. They were right in it until the last 10 minutes. Their downfall was the inability to finish off from good positions. They did manage it once through Patrick Faughnan for Ian Higgins to convert.
Wexford CBS, who haven't been beyond the second round in their four previous attempts, removed Presentation Glasthule from the competition with an unexpected 17-15 win at Wicklow.
Their back row, with number eight Neil Howlin and openside Anthony Walsh to the fore, proved a real handful for Glasthule and slowly the Wexford side assumed control around the fringes and Mark Heffernan's fifth minute penalty settled the underdogs.
The Dublin school, though, were always dangerous, once they could get a foothold in their opponents' half. They pierced the Wexford defence three times for Darragh Lawless, Barry Lightburn and Barry Kiernan to collect tries. But, they just could not land a conversion. In the end, that would be their undoing.
Centre Stephen Berry gave the Wexford boys belief with their first try and his midfield partner Damien Corrigan clinched the match with a 46th minute touchdown that put them into a 17-10 lead. Glasthule forced an unconverted touchdown late on. But, that wasn't enough to save the day.
Last year's Section A beaten finalists Mount Temple ran out 62-0 winners against Colaiste Lorcain at Naas. Star of the 10-try show was hat-trick scorer Stephen Boyle.
It was a good deal closer for Scoil Bhride, Carnew who just about deserved their 19-12 win over Bridgetown VS at Enniscorthy. It all swung on the expert boot of Lorcan Higgins. His three penalties, added to tries from Barry Nolan and Pierce Brennan, meant that the losers were punished severely for any indiscretions.
First-time competitors Bridgetown were in with a shout for most of the hour. Philip Horgan and Nigel Sinnott contributed well worked tries and David Waters landed one conversion from two attempts. It just goes to show the pricelessness of a good kicker, even at such a young age.
New Ross Vocational College lasted the pace better in their 15-14 victory over Gorey Community School at Wexford. Stuart Power and Shane Doyle were their try scorers. But, it was Paddy Delaney who emerged as the key figure, kicking a late penalty to de ny Gorey whose Mike O'Loughlin ran the length of the pitch for a sparkling try.
There was disappointment for the boys of St Columba's and St Conleth's, who, when they turned up at Belfield, found that a referee was nowhere to be seen. Supporters from both schools took the situation in good spirits. The sides will reconvene at the same venue this afternoon. Hopefully the man in the middle will, too.
Kells Community School did not become aware of their Monday kick-off until it was too late. Consequently, their clash with Wilson's Hospital has been postponed until Thursday. St Oliver's Drogheda conceded a walkover to Newpark CS.
