McKeon holds his nerve for Gonzaga
GONZAGA 6
ST GERARD’S 3
A 61ST-MINUTE penalty converted by out-half Conor McKeon proved crucial as Gonzaga emerged victorious from a fiercely competitive encounter in Stradbrook yesterday.
St Gerard’s made the brighter start and their early pressing paid off on 14 minutes when Sam Kingston converted a close-range penalty.
McKeon got them back on level terms by slotting over a 25-metre penalty.
After the break, Kingston missed two chances to put St Gerard’s back into the lead before McKeon struck for what proved to be the winner.
GONZAGA – J Fitzpatrick; J Phelan (A Maye 56), P Hollywood, C O’Brolchain, A Marks; C McKeon, D Lavelle; R Byrne, M Lowe (S Maybury Thornton 65), J McDowell, U Murray (E Byrne 70), J Hennessy, P Finlay, A Clarke, K Murray.
ST GERARD’S – M Prendergast (C Mulcahy 70); S Kingston, C Callan, C Shiel, D Morgan; D Callan, H Gallagher; C Collins, J Ryan (C Kenny 49), R Boland (F Smith 45), K Carroll, H Delaney, J Mooney, O O’Neill, J Prendergast.
REF – J Montayne (Leinster Branch).