AS expected, Belvedere College joined St Mary's College in the Leinster Schools Junior Cup final yesterday, but not without having to endure a searching test from St Michael's College, at Donnybrook.

In the end, the greater forward power of Belvedere proved too much for St Michael's to handle. Belvedere's number eight, Damien O'Donohoe, had a fine game and captain Andrew Cullen and fellow flanker, Ken Lloyd, were not far behind in completing a formidable back row.

Twice St Michael's were ahead in the first half with penalties from Colm Hutton (nine minutes) and Simon Byrne (17 mins) and twice Belvedere levelled from Niall Murray penalties in the 14th and 25th minutes.

Belvedere's out half, Donal Crotty, scored two dropped goals in the 34th and 56th minutes that clinched the match. Allied to this, and sandwiched in between, was another Murray penalty.