Longford representatives St Mel's, better known as a Gaelic football nursery, did enough work in the first half to win this Junior Cup Section A second-round replay at North Kildare yesterday.

Stephen Lynch opened their account with a penalty. This was followed by tries from Tommy Nolan, their best player, and Trevor Clendenning, which was converted by Lynch.

Barry Rogerson kicked over a penalty to cut the winners' lead to a dozen points just before the half ended, with St Mel's ahead by 15-3.

St Mel's failed to score after the interval and were forced to defend for much of the second half, as most of the action took place inside their half. The Dublin school were finally rewarded for a good deal of pressure when Tiernach Donnelly touched down in the corner with 15 minutes left to play. However, it was not enough.

ST MEL'S: B Diffley; E Farrell, M Donnellan, H Brady, D Skelly; S Ward, J Kiernan; S Lynch, T Clendenning, T Nolan, D Harrison, B Farrell, S Doherty, A O'Connor, P Reynolds. Sub: D McNeaney for Brady