New Ross proved too strong for south Dublin opponents Ballinteer Community School in the first round of the Leinster Schools' Senior Cup, Section A, at Wicklow yesterday.

New Ross had many heroes on the day, and Paddy O'Gorman and Tommy O'Brien both scored two tries. The breakthrough came after 15 minutes when Daryl Thomas kicked forward from a set scrum and, after the Ballinteer full back failed in his attempted catch, O'Gorman gained possession and raced between the posts for the opening try.

O'Gorman almost got on the score-sheet again a couple of minutes later with a superb run from the half-way line, but he put a foot in touch just before going over. However, just on half-time, O'Brien made it 10 points to nil when he got the vital touchdown after a scramble near the line.

After the break it was all one-way traffic, with Danny Conway scoring another try for New Ross, before O'Brien got his second to make it 20-0.

Battling Ballinteer made a brave effort to get back into the game with some attacking runs from Joseph Brady, John Coleman and Stephen O'Leary.

However it was to no avail, and tries by Mark Rellis and O'Gorman, which were converted by Darren Boland and Damien Haberlien, effectively ended the contest.