Templeogue survive late CUS surge

Templeogue College 27 CUS 22: The late scare aside, Templeogue College showed their potential with a forward-inspired, five-try display in the first round of the Vincent Murray Leinster Schools' Senior Cup yesterday.

Such was their early dominance - they ran in four tries in the first half - it seemed CUS were destined for a hiding. However, they showed their character in the latter stages of the contest, when every decision went their way.

With four minutes remaining referee John Montagne awarded a penalty try after he had repeatedly warned Templeogue for killing the ball at the breakdown. Darragh Pelly added the conversion and when he scrambled over for his second try moments later it looked like a miraculous upset was on the cards. However, time ran out on their cup dreams.

Two early tries from Templeogue proved the vital scores. Leinster Schools' prop Paul Collins gladly ran on to Ger Dowling's deft pass after just two minutes for the first try. Then, after 14 minutes, winger Joey Byrne warmed up the freezing crowd with a wonder run. From deep in his own half his pace took him clear of the defence and he showed great strength to shrug off three tacklers to get over in the corner.

As is the way in the Schools' Cup, this early salvo produced a ferocious response from CUS. Their main attacking force, centre John Fraher, twice threatened to break free but they had to be content with a Niall McInerney drop goal.

Their inability to cross for a try was punished within five minutes when loosehead prop Owen Kelly powered over at the other end. They refused to let up, Collins claimed his second try to leave it 22-8 at the interval.

Prompted constantly by scrumhalf Karl Ryan, CUS salvaged their pride in the second half but it is Michael Glynn's team who progress to face St Paul's.

SCORERS: Templeogue - P Collins 2 tries, J Byrne, O'Kelly, P Tully try each, R Hannify con. CUS - D Pelly 2 tries, 2 con, penalty try, N McInerney drop-goal.

TEMPLEOGUE COLLEGE: R Hannify; M Halloran, R Hale, M Ebbs, J Byrne; P McGillion, G Dowling; O Kelly, M Mooney, P Collins, P Foran, R Dever, G Foran, A Deacon, P Tully.

CUS: D Pelly; G Cowzer, J Fraher, J Egan, D Hayes; N McInerney, K Ryan; C McMahon, D Macari, A Cosgrave, K Naughton, C Kane, R McAuley, J O'Connor, R Savage. Replacement: D Kavanagh for McInerney (58 mins).

Referee: J Montagne (Leinster Branch).