Three tries and a conversion to one penalty goal was a fair reflection of the superiority enjoyed by St Michael's College, Ballsbridge, as they defeated the plucky Kilkenny College at the Oakpark Grounds in Carlow yesterday.
The Dublin side got a dream start with a first minute try from winger, Michael Lawlor. Kilkenny's lone score came from a successful penalty by out-half Richard Gee after 15 minutes. But a second Michael's try from scrum-half Ben Cleary put them 10-3 in front at the interval.
Kilkenny were pinned in their own half almost throughout the second half as Michael's made good use of their physical superiority which saw them dominate both from lineout play and scrums.
A fine try 10 minutes from time by number eight Johnathan Rocket was richly merited as St Michael's advanced to a meeting with De La Salle, Churchtown.
St Michael's: G Doyle (con); M Lawlor (try), J Gibbons, C Geoghegan, G Dixon; B Cleary (try), J Pollard; B Maher, K Moran, J Coyle, H Carroll, D Carroll, S Maguire, J McCarthy, J Rocket (try).
Kilkenny College: D Jacob; P Lawrence, N Patterson, R Bergin, G Rothwell; R Gee (pen), N Allen; J Fennell, P O'Connell, R Handige, J Fraser, A Wynne, N Ardill, H Deacon, I Devereux. Replacement: D Canty for Gee (injured).
Referee: J Downey (Leinster Branch)
