Blackrock hold off Mary's challenge

St Mary’s 18 Blackrock 23

Blackrock College will hope this isn’t just another case of history repeating itself, as they held off the Mary’s challenge at Templeville Road to record their second win at the venue in two years.

The 23-18 scoreline doesn’t do justice to their supremacy, but tries from Dave Gannon and busy full back Conor Kilroy saw them to their first win of the AIB season.

Last season’s win happened at the wrong time for the Stradbrook club, as they went on a six game losing streak after their win over Mary’s.

A poor Mary’s outfit looked defeated as early as half-time as they changed ends 16-3 down.

Barry Lynn notched their sole score of the first half and a stern talking to by coach Brent Pope had them suitably fired up for the second half.

Blackrock went on to score their second try of the game in the second period, before tries from Mary's scrum-half Philip Caldwell and winger Gavin Ingles save them edge closer to a rampant ‘Rock side.

Lynn hit a second penalty to close the gap to five points but that’s as close as the home side got.