Rugby

Leinster Schools: Castleknock sneak past Kilkenny to reach quarter-finals

A late Luke Hanly try and Matthew Brennan conversion gave Dublin side victory at Energia Park

Matthew Brennan of Castleknock College is tackled by Jason Shirley of Kilkenny College. Photograph: Andrew Conan/Inpho
Matthew Brennan of Castleknock College is tackled by Jason Shirley of Kilkenny College. Photograph: Andrew Conan/Inpho
Wed Jan 22 2025 - 17:42
St Vincent’s Castleknock College 20 Kilkenny College 18

A late Luke Hanly try and Matthew Brennan conversion gave Castleknock a place in the Leinster Schools Senior Cup quarter-final at Energia Park on Wednesday.

The first semblance of fluid rugby came when Kilkenny’s lineout created momentum through the straight running of Ivor Fenton and Tom Dundon for Tadhg Berry to dive over at the post. Josh Bennett converted.

Castleknock had an answer in double-quick time, Finn Watt taking the ball to the line, pulling it back for Matthew Brennan to direct a pinpoint kick to Jaydon Caroll for a fine try in the 15th minute.

They moved in front for the first time when Watt’s fine line was accompanied by a miracle blind pass for Alex Tilly to flash to the corner in the 23rd minute.

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It looked like their momentum was paying off until secondrow Rian McEntaggart was judged to be held up over the line.

No matter, Luke Mooney struck a simple penalty after a bout of educated pressure that pushed Castleknock six points clear.

Kilkenny blasted from the blocks, their runners hitting the line aggressively for Aiden Horkan to blast through bodies for the try.

They were moving into their phase game too quickly for ‘Knock’s liking, earning a penalty for Finn Brennan’s kick to make it 15-13 in the 43rd minute.

Castleknock had to have more territory. All they could muster was Brennan going close from a long-range penalty.

Kilkenny could not extend the lead beyond one score, outhalf Brennan pulling a penalty slightly right of the posts.

They stayed in control by keeping the ball long enough for Bennett to bang over a penalty for 18-13 in the 68th minute.

There was still time for a rebuttal. ‘Knock had the composure to grind out every inch for Hanly to convince the referee he had downward pressure under a pile of bodies. Brennan kept his nerve to convert the winning points.

Scorers

Castleknock: A Tilly, J Carroll, L Hanly try each; L Mooney pen; M Brennan con.

Kilkenny: T Berry, A Horan try each; J Bennett pen, con; F Brennan pen.

KILKENNY: T Dundon; J Bennett, I Fenton (capt), T Berry, M Quaglia; F Brennan, A Cole; P Bevan, J Shirley, G Agar Cox, M Corbett, R Powell, A Horkan, G Trayer, C Bramley. Replacements: P Horan-Flynn for Dundon 30 mins; A Burgess for Agar-Cox 38 mins, S Neale for Corbett 53 mins; M Miller for Cole 60 mins; M Bird for Berry 64 mins; S O’Doherty for Fenton 69 mins.

CASTLEKNOCK: L Mooney; A Moreno-Gallardo, A Tilly (Capt), F Watt, J Carroll; M Brennan, H Reilly; E Shanahan, PJ Matthews, B Fallon, R McEntaggart, F McLoughlin, J Ginnety, O Clinton, B O’Toole. Replacements: L Hanly for O’Toole 43 mins; T Quigley for Carroll 69 mins.

Referee: K Beakey, Leinster Branch.

The Counter Ruck

The Counter Ruck

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