ST MICHAEL'S completed the Leinster Schools' Junior Cup second round line up with a hard fought, if not entirely convincing, defeat of De la Salle, Churchtown, at Donnybrook.

In the end, the difference between the two sides boiled down to the sharper cutting edge of the Merrion Road school. Down 3-0 to a well struck Alan Gallen penalty after 10 minutes, St Michael's came storming back to force three kickable penalties. Centre Conal Boyd was off target with the first two attempts and sensing his luck was out, thought it better to kick into touch from the third.

It was the captain. John Byne, who eventually took the initiative. He burst through a slack De la Salle defence from a scrum 10 metres out to give his side a lead they never relinquished. Boyd kicked the simple conversion and St Michael's led 7-3 at the break.

Captain and number eight Paul Corcoran's line out jumping, the front row's power scrummaging and the ability of flanker David McManmon to take the fight to St Michael's in the loose, kept De Ia Salle in contention. The backs, though, lacked a little punch.

For it was the penetrative ability of St Michael's right wing Barry Coughlan that hurt De Ia Salle most. After 52 minutes, excellent number eight Andrew Murphy drove into the midfield defence, before a quick ruck ball set the back line in motion. With fully 45 metres to go, Coughlan easily outstripped the cover. Boyd added the conversion.

A late Gallen penalty failed to undermine the St Michael's performance, as they comfortably held out for a second round meeting with High School on Monday week.