Leinster Schools' Senior League final: There was nothing to choose between these sides save for the quick thinking of Gonzaga prop James Gethings, whose instinctive looping run around the outside of the St Gerard's defence made all the difference at Donnybrook yesterday.

Poor handling errors and an appetite to administer the big hit interrupted the flow of the game. St Gerard's shot into a 10-3 lead when outhalf Kyle Tonetti drew in the cover with a beautifully delayed pass out of the tackle that sent right wing Cailbhe Doherty into the corner.

Alan Power's inch-perfect conversion and previous, first-minute penalty, for handling in a ruck, were a warning to Gonzaga about infringing within kicking distance.

St Gerard's had their own "punisher" in captain Michael Boland. He booted an 11th-minute penalty and provided a flat pass for centre Shane Hanratty to take up a crash ball and bump off two defenders on his way to the line. Boland added the points to leave them tied at the interval.

Full back Power's second penalty edged St Gerard's ahead in the 45th minute as their captain Zach Desmond and Gonzaga replacement James Moriarty took it in turns to lift their team-mates with big plays.

Gonzaga always seemed to have the greater threat out wide. Little did anyone know it would be their prop, Gethings, who would make his way over along the sideline's whitewash for the winning try.

Scorers: Gonzaga College: J Gethings, S Hanratty try each; M Boland pen, con. St Gerard's School: C Doherty try; A Power 2 pens, con.

GONZAGA COLLEGE: M Kelly; S Gahan, S Hanratty, T Toomey, S Ryan; M Boland (capt), S Mitton; B Hannon, R Upton, J Gethings, D O'Sullivan, S Hodgins, K Eustace, D O'Shea (J Moriarty, 32 mins), J Egan.

ST GERARD'S SCHOOL: A Power; C Doherty, S Campbell, G Mooney, E Deveney; K Tonetti, E Lynch; J Kinsella, N Bitone, C Kenna, C McDermott, R Headley, N Kruseman, B Wojnar, Z Desmond (capt).

Referee: K Beggs, Leinster Branch.