Late Penalty Wins It For Schools

A penalty from full-back Robert Kearney gave the Irish Schools a 8-6 win over the Irish Under 19s at Lakelands Park on Monday (Dec 29th). Although the Schools dominated possession they were resticted to just one try – it came from Barry O’Mahony in the 11th minute – and trailed 6-5 at the break thanks to two penalties from U19 Keran Hallett

The Schools side’s defence, marshalled by number eight David Pollack and Ron Boucher then held up superbly against a period of pressure from the 19s and with two minutes of normal time remaining, Kearney atoned for some earlier misses by kicking the winning penalty.

Scorers:
Ireland Schools: B O’Mahony try, R Kearney pen.
Ireland Under-19s: K Hallett 2 pens.

Ireland Schools: R Kearney (Clongowes); R Drysdale (Belfast RA), T Gleeson (PBC Cork), D Cave (Sullivan Upr School), P Shallow (Rockwell); C Doyle (Ard Scoil Ris), D Williams (CBC Cork); D Hurley (CBC Cork), S Cronin (Ard Scoil Ris), L Casey (Ard Scoil Ris), D Best (Ballyclare HS), D Toner (Castleknock), R Boucher (CBC Monkstown), B O’Mahony (Crescent), D Pollock (RS Dungannon).
Replacements: E Ryan (PBC Cork) for T Gleeson (48 mins).

Ireland Under-19s: M Butler (Sligo); J McGrugan (Ballymena), C McNaughton (Greystones), S Megaw (Queen’s), C Power (Corinthians); K Hallett (Exiles), P Phelan (Exiles); M Diffley (Buccaneers), J Kerins (UCC), P Doran-Jones (Dublin University), R Noonan (UCC), B Holland (CBC), M Essex (CBC), F McGuckian (UCD), S Ferris (Portadown).
Replacements: B O’Neill (Belvedere) for M Butler, J McCall (RS Armagh) for F McGuckian, C Gildea (Terenure) for K Hallett (all 48 mins).

Referee: A Rogan (Leinster Branch).