Ard Scoil conquer CBC for deserved victory
In doing so, Ard Scoil avenged their defeat by the same opposition in last year’s decider. Having struggled for much of the first half when helped by the strong, cold wind, the winners raised their game in highly commendable fashion on the turnover, keeping Christians pinned in their own territory for long stretches as a strong, well drilled forward pack took control.
Ard Scoil had a couple of key men up front in live-wire hooker Paul Clayton and number eight and captain Barry Sheehan, while out-half Dave Lynch performed with a maturity that belied his tender years. His distribution and kicking were of a very high standard. Christians left Thomond Park disappointed that they hadn’t performed to their full potential, their cause not helped when Brian Fleming missed a penalty from a favourable position as early as the third minute.