Pack paves the way for Árd Scoil

Árd Scoil Rís 9 Crescent Comp 0

Although neither side managed a try, this was a very enjoyable affair in which Árd Scoil Rís held the upper hand in the forward exchanges but had to display outstanding defensive qualities on a number of occasions to defy the best efforts of a speedy Crescent back division.

Árd Scoil got off to the best possible start when full-back Declan O’Rahilly kicked a fine penalty in the second minute. After that, though, it was all Crescent and they were foiled of at least two gilt-edged try scoring chances.

It took a marvellous cover tackle by O’Rahilly to keep out winger Hugh Mulcahy after ten minutes and almost immediately only a Peter Stringer-style hand trip by Keith Payne stopped full-back Sean Scanlon from getting over.

Árd Scoil duly regained the initiative through a series of devastating rolling mauls, with second-row Sean Daly, prop Michael Sherry and number eight and captain Aidan Quilligan consistently prominent. O’Rahilly landed his second penalty after 22 minutes and Árd Scoil went on to lead 6-0 at the break.

Mulcahy had another opportunity to bring Crescent back into it ten minutes after half-time when he planted a nice kick over the Árd Scoil defence and regained possession only to touch down inches over the dead ball line.

All the time, the Crescent pack worked away diligently with James O'Nolan, Ross Harbison and Stephen Cowhey much to the fore while outhalf and captain Ronan O’Sullivan also did all he could to redress the imbalance.

But Árd Scoil had the power where it counted most on a heavy back pitch and made sure with O’Rahilly’s third penalty just before the end.

ÁRD SCOIL RÍS: D. O'Rahilly; K. Payne, R. Brock, P. Corrigan, M. Cosgrove; G. Murphy, D. Horan; M. Sherry, S. Hogan, B. Rowley, S. Daly, C. Phelan, D. Toomey, J. Burton, A. Quilligan capt. Replacement, R. Ryan for Cosgrove, 50 mins.

CRESCENT COMP: S. Scanlon; H. Mulcahy, O. O'Riordan, D. Upton, N. Riordan; R. O'Sullivan capt, W. Hanley; E. Mylan, R. Harbison, J. O'Nolan, R. Herbert, P. English, E. Ryan, S. O'Dea, S. Cowhey. Replacement, J. McArdle for Hanley, 56.

Referee: G. Clancy.