TEMPLEOGUE College enhanced their Junior Cup prospects with a victory over St Gerard's at Kilternan yesterday.

And while the scoreline perhaps flattered them somewhat, there was no doubting they were by far the better side.

Their application, in particular, was exceptional, with their pack first to nearly every loose ball.

So it came as something of a surprise to see them just three points in front at the break, from a 12th-minute penalty from fullback Mark Carroll.

Shortly after the interval, they extended their lead when forward momentum enabled prop Kenneth McInerney to power his way over. Ten minutes later, their out-half and captain, Wayne O'Connor, sent over a dropped goal to bring Templeogue's tally to double figures.

Gerard's, missing two key players from the pack, continued to struggle and conceded two further tries, the first of these, a Barry Fitzgerald score, converted by Carroll, before left wing Stephen Joyce took advantage of an overlap to touch down in the left-hand corner.