Castleknock College ... 6 St Michael's College ... 3Castleknock College celebrated revenge for their Leinster Schools Junior Cup final loss to St Michael's College last year with a nail-biting two penalties to one victory in the first round at Donnybrook yesterday.

It took both sides the guts of an entire half to smooth out the cracks in their games.

Castleknock captain Brian Collins, a survivor from 12 months ago, struck a 25th-minute penalty to give his side a 3-0 lead at the break.

St Michael's were a different proposition in the second-half. Full back Michael Twomey, centre Patrick Brophy and outhalf Andrew Cummiskey, another in his second Junior Cup campaign, all set Castleknock serious problems.

In fact, Cummiskey levelled the game from a penalty on the right in the 40th minute.

The thrills were coming thick and fast. Castleknock's Daniel O'Connor and St Michael's Stephen Smith both knocked on over the line and prop David Mahoney, for the losers, was held up over the line.

In the 48th minute, Castleknock surged deep into enemy territory. When they could not breach the St Michael's line, referee David Bolger blew for a penalty beneath the posts.

Outhalf Collins had no trouble in sending the ball between the posts for a lead that was protected with some desperation and much bravery.

CASTLEKNOCK COLLEGE: A Toolan; A Redmond, D O'Connor, R Greally, B McKeon; B Collins, E Murphy; R Murphy, J Lee, S Tighe, D O'Riordan, J Murray, K Cooke, M Sheerin, T Walsh. Replacement: J Quinn for Murray (49 mins).

ST MICHAEL'S COLLEGE: M Twomey; K Cleary, S O'Dwyer, P Brophy, A Dooley; A Cummiskey, R Shanley; D Mahoney, C Broderick, K Coleman, S Mahoney, S Smith, G O'Sullivan, R Reilly, T McKillen.

Referee: D Bolger (Leinster Branch).