O’Brien proves the hero

LEINSTER SCHOOLS SECTION A JUNIOR LEAGUE FINAL Ashbourne CS 17 Tullow CS 12: CAPTAIN JACK O’Brien was the hero for Ashbourne CS at Naas RFC yesterday, as his second try, deep into second-half stoppage time, gave the north Meath school the title in a last-gasp victory.

The score at the break was 5-0 to Ashbourne after Andrew Armstrong got through for a try in the right corner after four minutes. However, a breath-taking try from Colin Byrne drew the sides level and team-mate Kieran Cooper put them ahead, followed by a conversion from Fionn Murphy.

Ashbourne restored parity out of the blue with just 10 minutes remaining when O’Brien ran through for a breakaway try, converted by Scott Crowley. It looked like the two sides would have to do it all again, but O’Brien drove over in a dramatic late finish.

ASHBOURNE CS : L Lehane; A Armstrong, C Marrow, J O’Brien, E Mulvihill; S Crowley, C Keogh; D McDermott, N Stewart, C Mahon, C Meighan, D Skelly, K Mathews, S Kenna, M Duff. Replacements : C Coates for Mahon.

TULLOW CS : J Ansboro; K Shiel, C Bailey, C Byrne, G McNabb; K Cooper, R O’Neill; O Teehan, D O’Toole, J Doyle, C Orbinski, M Cole, F Murphy, J O’Brien, A Broughan. Replacements : A Joyce for Cole.

Referee: T Keating (Leinster Branch).