Leinster Schools' Senior Cup/Terenue College 24 Castleknock College 18: With 15 minutes remaining somebody finally remembered to flick the Terenure switch because until that point Castleknock looked every inch the better outfit in this Leinster Senior Cup first-round encounter.
Sure, the tackles were executed and an incessant effort was noticeable from players like Terenure centre Conor Allen, but the intensity expected from a local rivalry was non-existent.
Terenure's sizeable pack ensured the majority of possession but until the front five, led by captain Niall McDonagh, really asserted their authority, Castleknock looked primed for a surprise win.
There were six tries yesterday, four of which came off the set-piece and maul scenario. Terenure number eight Ian Morley was hauled over the line by his team-mates on 53 minutes to reduce the deficit to a point. Outhalf Terry Jones curled over the conversion from the right touchline to put his team ahead for the first time.
The next Terenure attack yielded another try, in identical circumstances, only this time lock Robert Duke retained possession from the lineout to power over. It was a case of superior technique coming to the fore and yet Castleknock refused to fold.
And, after dominating the opening exchanges, why would they? Winger James Ring was denied a try after eight minutes thanks to a cover tackle by Paul Elliott. A Philip Carroll penalty goal followed moments later.
Confirmation an upset was on the cards came when Eoin Graham rumbled over for a Castleknock try. It was fearless rugby.
Allen kept Terenure afloat by bulldozing through the midfield for his team's only points of the first half but the lead was pushed out to 11-5 before the turn by a quality drop goal from Marcus McAllinden.
Castleknock held firm until Terenure realised the key to overcoming less fancied opposition was to muscle them into submission. Jones, the Leinster under-18 outhalf who possesses the skills to guide Terenure into March rugby, seemed to wrap up the contest when, from an attacking platform, he dummied his opposite number before diving under the posts. He then made it 24-11 but his late withdrawal - he was carried off - will spark a fortnight of grave concern.
What followed is why people rave about this competition.
Castleknock hooker Conor Barry (making a miracle return from a cruciate knee injury) was forced over for an injury-time try. Carroll added a difficult conversion as referee Ken Henley-Willis indicated enough time remained for the restart.
Terenure regained possession but a turnover on the Castleknock line forced McAllinden to hoist a garryowen. The ball broke off a Terenure player and it was battered downfield. Three Castleknock players were in hot pursuit to just one defender but in the scramble Liam Townsend gathered the ball in an offside position. A clear run to the line was denied. Terenure survived.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 10 mins: P Carroll pen, 0-3; 21: E Graham try, 0-6; 28: C Allen try, 5-8; 30: M McAllinden drp gl, 5-11. Half-time. 55: I Morley try, 10-11; T Jones conv, 12-11; 59: R Duke try, 17-11; 65: T Jones try, 22-11; T Jones conv, 24-11; 70: C Barry try, 24-16; P Carroll conv, 24-18.
TERENURE COLLEGE: R Williamson; D Byrne, P Elliott, C Allen, M Russell; T Jones, E O'Hanlon; N McDonagh, R Byrne, J Clarke, R Duke, C Keenan, C Fitzgerald, C Farrell, I Morley. Replacements: M Baston for C Farrell, B Duke for T Jones, (both 67 mins).
CASTLEKNOCK COLLEGE: P Carroll; G McIntyre, C Woodgate, A O'Donoghue, J Ring; M McAllinden, L Townsend; E Boylan, C Barry, M Moore, D McDonald, D O'Riordan, LL McConville, E Graham, S Donnelly. Replacements: S McNally for E Boylan, S McCarthy for L McConville, M Coffey for J Ring (all 60 mins), A Hoey for E Graham (64 mins).
Referee: K Henley-Willis (Leinster).
