McKeon up to the task

LEINSTER SCHOOLS SENIOR CUP Gonzaga College 6 St Gerard’s, Bray 3: A 61st-MINUTE penalty from out-half Conor McKeon proved crucial in Stradbrook yesterday, as Gonzaga College emerged victorious from a low-scoring, yet fiercely competitive, Leinster Schools Senior Cup first round encounter with St Gerard’s of Bray.

Gerard’s early pressing paid off 13 minutes in when right-wing Sam Kingston easily converted a close-range penalty.

The score brought the Ranelagh side to life and moments later centre Patrick Hollywood nearly got in for a try in the left corner.

However, McKeon levelled matters with a 25-metre penalty.

Gerard’s did have a chance to regain the lead on 42 minutes but Kingston’s penalty went left of the posts.

They escaped themselves two minutes later when McKeon’s drop-goal came crashing off the woodwork.

Kingston also missed a penalty opportunity from just outside the 22-metre line on 50 minutes.

McKeon stepped up 11 minutes later to coolly slot over.

GONZAGA COLLEGE : J Fitzpatrick; J Phelan, P Hollywood, C O’Brolchain, A Marks; C McKeon, D Lavelle; R Byrne, M Lowe, J McDowell, U Murray, J Hennessy, P Finlay, A Clarke, K Murray. Replacements: A Maye for Phelan (56 mins); S Maybury Thornton for Lowe (65 mins); E Byrne for Murray (70 mins).

St GERARD’S, BRAY : M Prendergast; S Kingston, C Callan, C Shiel, D Morgan; D Callan, H Gallagher; C Collins, J Ryan, R Boland, K Carroll, H Delaney, J Mooney, O O’Neill, J Prendergast. Replacements: F Smith for Boland (45 mins); C Kenny for Ryan (49 mins); C Mulcahy for M Prendergast (70 mins).

Referee: J Montayne (Leinster Rugby).