Front row provide power for Clongowes’ charge

Two tries in three minutes helped fire Clongowes Wood to an emphatic victory in this Leinster Schools Senior Cup quarter-final at Donnybrook yesterday.

Champions Clongowes fell behind to Robert Troy’s expertly-struck fourth-minute penalty but the front row combination of the outstanding Byrne twins, Brian and Edward, and Daniel O’Byrne quickly put Castleknock on the back foot.

Hooker Brian Byrne was the catalyst for their opening score, shrugging off two tackles to ground the ball in the 26th minute before full-back Max McFarland finished off a lightning counter in the 29th. Conor Mahony converted both tries.