CASTLEKNOCK's ability to convert pressure into scores gave the eight time winners of the Leinster Schools' Senior Cup the vital edge over St Paul's in their first round tie at muddy Donnybrook yesterday.

The dreadful conditions - many were surprised the game went ahead at all - ensured that both teams, adopted a safety first attitude. St Paul's opened brightly, out half Paul Ryan kicking a penalty from, the 25 after Castleknock were penalised at a line out.

Although Castleknock scrum half Ian Murphy was off target with a very kickable penalty six minutes' later, the pack had St Paul's under fierce pressure from the drop and when the ball came back Murphy was able to get in the blockdown and right wing Brian Fitzgerald was in for the try.

Before half time Ryan's second penalty attempt dropped just short Castleknock held onto their two point lead. The game's decisive score came four minutes into the second half when flanker Ted Robinson peeled off a serum inside the St Paul's 25 and fed the ball to out half Robert Dolan who squeezed over for a try.

After that, St Paul's were always chasing the game and while they enjoyed more than their fair share of possession in that second period, it was the more cohesive and disciplined Castleknock pack that prevailed.

Castleknock finished strongly. Ian Murphy hit the upright with a close range penalty late in the game, but with the St Paul's line under siege it was no surprise when hooker and captain Paul Grimes crashed over for a try in the first minute of injury time.