Memorable individual displays in thriller

Terenure College3

Despite the close encounter, it was a thoroughly deserved triumph and the only feature lacking was a try. Both sides came close on a couple of occasions but St Mary's can have no complaints about the outcome.

Terenure picked up the pace in the second period of the game after struggling early on and there were some really memorable individual performances, darting runs to split a normally tight defence, and this match needed such inspiration at vital times.

In the opening spell, the game was lacklustre and unfortunately, the chances in the opening half were limited. Terenure started well but drifted out of the contest and the only real opportunity in the face of extraordinarily well-organised defences fell to St Mary's outhalf Jonathan Sexton in the 20th-minute.

His 35-metre penalty attempt was, however, wide of the mark and short as well.

A magnificent run 40 metres run after 30 minutes by Stephen Grissing was the highlight of the first half.

Shades of Brian O'Driscoll but not quite good enough to manufacture the score.

Michael Finlay, having found himself in space, tried a snap drop goal. It was on target but not high enough and Terenure survived another difficult moment.

They did finish the half strongly and started the second period in equally audacious fashion.

Scrum-half David Brophy made a beautiful break and that nearly cut the St Mary's defence to pieces.

Again, however, they were unable to sustain the pressure and when Brophy retired with a cut leg the signs were bad.

Yet, before Brophy returned, Terenure had already hit back.

In a tight game, they took the initiative, the risks and eventually the spoils.

Their resurgence began with a great run from full-back Robert McCarthy from which a third phase of play led to a penalty that Gary Byrne duly kicked from 25 metres.

Suddenly, they grew in confidence and they strung together some great passages of play.

McCarthy was always to the fore and outhalf Conor Gildea along with Brophy, Brian Moroney, Andrew Sherlock, Alex Dunlop (the acting captain) and Barry Murphy helped to keep St Mary's in their own territory for much of the second half.

Grissing was always a threat for the losers and they couldn't have wished for better example from captain Paul Nash, Brian McGovern and Jonathan Sexton.

The problem was that their supply of possession dried up and when team captain David Cazabon came on as a late substitute.

Terenure became even more inspired to endure the last pulsating minutes of a very tight match. He, McCarthy and Gildea contrived to turn this match into the impossible dream for the holders.

It was tight, it was as close as the score line suggested and it was still entertaining. Leinster rugby personnel will say this wasn't a vintage year for the schools' game, but there was never a hint that there was lack of effort in this decider.

Sometimes very tight games can still provide entertainment and this was one between two very evenly contested sides.

Terenure fans mightn't agree on the basis of their performance, but given the three-point differential, St Mary's maybe, just maybe, deserved a second chance.

ST MARY'S COLLEGE: P. Brophy, G. Roche, S. Grissing, M. Finlay, E. Lernihan, J. Sexton, B. McDermott, M. Houlihan D. Fallon, B. McGovern, B. Smithy, N. Brew, P. Nash (captain), G. O'Meara, C. McInerney. Replacement. R. Morris for Fallon (63)

TERENURE: R. McCarthy, C. Doyle, G. Byrne, R. Harrison, A. Sherlock, C. Gildea, D. Brophy, M. Hamilton, K. Molloy, N. McCann, B. Murphy, B. Moroney, K. O'Malley-Farrell, A. Dunlop (captain), A. Donohue. C. O'Hagan for Donohue (45), D. Czabon for Doyle (57), C. Byrne for G. Byrne (67), T. Small for Molloy (73), R. Vij for Cazabon (75, injured).

Temporary replacement. R. Vij for Brophy (44-48)

Referee: D. Keane (IRFU).