Monkstown take title

Leinster Junior League final/CBC Monkstown - 27 Gonzaga - 10: CBC Monkstown confirmed their status as one of the favourites …

Leinster Junior League final/CBC Monkstown - 27 Gonzaga - 10: CBC Monkstown confirmed their status as one of the favourites for the Leinster Schools' Junior Cup by overpowering Gonzaga College in the Leinster League final Stradbrook yesterday.

CBC went into the final with the impressive statistic of not having lost to a school in the province all season. They were quickly into their rhythm and Killian Horgan's penalty and conversion of Kevin Nolan's try, from a five-metre burst, made it 10-0 at the break.

Two minutes into the second period, centre Gary Foley's fine solo try, converted by Horgan, put the issue beyond doubt, even though Gonzaga had a strong wind at their backs.

Gonzaga were driven on by inspirational forward play from Killian McDonagh and Dan Kane, and wing Niall Holleran breached the CBC cover. Outhalf Will McEvoy's conversion made it 17-7.

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There was the hint of a comeback, but CBC's Nolan and replacement Eoin Cunningham both crossed the Gonzaga line in the last quarter.

Scorers: CBC Monkstown: K Nolan 2 tries; E Cunningham, G Foley try; K Horgan pen, 2 cons. Gonzaga College: N Holleran try; W McEvoy pen, con.

CBC MONKSTOWN: A Ging; J O'Connor (E Cunningham 59), G Foley (capt), K Jenkinson, E Gallagher; K Horgan, S Roberts (S O'Connor 58); S Devine (R Kearney 58), S Boucher, D Lewis (D Graham 58), S Flood, R Ivers, B Dunne, K Nolan (C Ennis 57), S Grannell.

GONZAGA COLLEGE: N Hanratty; N Holleran, C Keegan, K Larchet (E McDonagh 53), B Reilly; W McEvoy, J Cooney; C Carolan (G Fitzgerald 41), S Meagher, P O'Reilly, K McDonagh, D Ryan, S Costelloe (R O'Keeffe 41), R Crean, D Kane.

Referee: C O'Brien (Leinster Branch).