Schools' Rugby/Leinster Section A final: The verve and swerve of outhalf Ian McKinley was the difference between two committed sides in the Leinster Schools' Section A (Duff) Cup final at Templeville Road yesterday.
There were no tries to decorate a match that held the full attention of the crowd right to the final whistle. The smaller St Columba's boys tried to move their heavier opponents around the pitch and McKinley's 21st-minute penalty had them in front before Ciarán Smyth levelled it up at the break.
St Patrick's had the more direct runners in Brian and Eamon Sheridan, but they could not work their danger men, Cathal Lawlor and Anwar Kahn, onto the ball often enough.
McKinley was the class act on show with a smooth sidestep and intuitive footballing ability. It was appropriate that his second penalty, in the 53rd minute, should be the winner.
ST COLUMBA'S COLLEGE: P Owens; P Maestre (C Maenpaa 50 mins), E Wilson, M Shirley, C Fenelon; I McKinley, C Lilly; R Wann (M Priddy, half-time), S Jocelyn, A Browne, G Howie, J Trayer, S Stevens, C Boyd, L Mathews.
ST PATRICK'S CLASSICAL SCHOOL: C Smyth; A Kahn, C Carthy, E Sheridan, C Lawlor; B Sheridan, D Sheridan; A Cutajar, R Duane (F Carragher 50 mins), R Perez, D Lamanga (C McQuaid 50 mins), S Ronan-Duggan, O Clarke (C Kealy 57 mins), B Carolan, M Byrne.
Referee: K Laide (Leinster Branch).
