Three tries from number eight John Laffey gave Mount Temple victory over a fine New Ross VC side at Wicklow yesterday.

The victory was not as comprehensive as the margin suggests for New Ross won lots of line-out ball but kicked away far too much possession. Despite this they managed to restrict Mount Temple to a 12-0 interval lead.

When Donal Mullins pulled off a fine score midway through the second half, the Dublin side secured their next round passage. Captain Shane Finnegan kicked two conversions.

MOUNT TEMPLE: L Gorman; R Arthurs, D Mullins, D Carie, D Kavanagh; S Finnegan, P O'Rourke; G Kells, M Murray, K Kendellan, B Taylor, H O'Mahony, O Brennan, J Laffey, A O'Neill.

NEW ROSS VC: P Phelan; K Grangel, S Purcell, T Walsh, B Murphy; P Griffin, V Codd; W Redmond, J Murphy, P Kinsella, P Cullen, D Caulfield, B Cullen, S O'Forman, C Butler.