Tolan makes difference

A try in each half from St Michael's left wing Bernard Tolan proved the crucial scores as the Dublin college edged out Cistercian…

A try in each half from St Michael's left wing Bernard Tolan proved the crucial scores as the Dublin college edged out Cistercian Roscrea in this second-round game at Athy. A strong wind favoured Roscrea and they took lead when full-back Eoin Kealy kicked a penalty. But a minute before the interval the Tipperary side attempted to move the ball out of defence, possession was turned over and Tolan went into the left corner for a try.

Early in the second half, Tolan took an inside pass from outhalf James O'Flanagan to score again with Peter McGibney adding the conversion.

In the 21st minute, Roscrea opted to run the ball from a five-metre penalty and forced their way over the line with second-row forward Simon Frazer getting the touchdown and outhalf Diarmuid Walsh converting.

It was all to play for then but the last score fell to St Michael's as Peter McGibney landed a penalty.

READ MORE

ST MICHAEL'S: F Kearney; T Diamond, S O'Hanlon, P McGibney, B Tolan; J O'Flanagan, D McKillen; R O'Neill, C Mullen, B Greer, W Hempenstall, K Smyth, R O'Boyle, S Hartigan, P Foley.

CISTERCIAN, ROSCREA: E Kealy; I Collins, P Downey, M Boland, D Cordial; D Walsh, G Dolan; D Gilfoyle, R Kerley, D McNamara, J Meskell, S Frazer, A McIntyre, R Lee, M Leahy.

Referee: M Gillick (Leinster).