Castleknock topple St Mary's

Starting with intent Castleknock were impressive in how they moved seamlessly through the phases to winkle out a penalty for Daniel Ruane to slice the posts in the 12th minute.

The Dublin 15 side carried the greater early threat and were rewarded when second-row Wali Khwaja took off up the middle and centre Brady taking a sharp line for a fine try, Ruane converted from the left for a 10-0 advantage at the break.

A beautiful piece of handling from Ruane put flanker Izac Scallan in business until St Mary's centre Evan Moynihan's defence made a difference.

Gusting hailstones arrived to make moving the ball a liability which was bad news for St Mary's in light of the leeway.

Nonetheless, Andrew Sparrow's big fend bought time and metres for replacement Daniel McNulty to slip the chasers to make it 10-5 in the 47th minute.

Castleknock narrowed their focus to get Khwaja and Ruane on the ball in a smart ploy to drain the clock and the energy of the St Mary's defence.

Out-half Ross O'Connor's solid kicking and the strong carrying of Emmet Brady and Sam Wisniewski further out kept them in the right area for lock Khwaja to burst over for the clinching try.

CASTLEKNOCK COLLEGE: E Wallace; J Fewer, E Brady, S Wisniewski, D Enright; R O'Connor, L Donohue; B Dowling (P McNally 57), S Mahon, J Cadogan, C Lennon (D O'Callaghan 59), W Khwaja, I Scallan, C Boyle (capt), D Ruane.

St MARY'S: G Foley; S Murray, C Cusack, E Moynihan, W Byers; S O'Connell (D McNulty 35), G Mulvihill (L McGill 44); T O'Shea, C Jacobs, R Smyth, L Policky (T Keogan 53), N Johnson (D Leane 37), A O'Brien, L Jennings, A Sparrow (capt).

REF: J Hollywood (Leinster).