The score-line flattered CBC Monkstown somewhat in the end. There was no disputing that they were the better team for most of yesterday's Leinster Schools' Senior Cup quarter-final at Donnybrook but they still managed to come perilously close to providing themselves with a nerve-jangling finale.
Presentation Bray number eight Darren Kelly came within a millimetre of forcing his way over the line but was drilled backwards just as he seemed poised to touch down. At that juncture, 64 minutes into the match, Monkstown led 13-7 and could not mask the huge relief when they were awarded the scrum. It proved their opponents' last hurrah.
Monkstown, galvanised by the scare, regrouped and forced their way back into the Bray 22 following a fine passage of play. Out-half Oscar Nolan dropped a superb 25-metre goal after checking back to the blindside and victory was more or less assured. The win was embellished with a second Nolan drop goal and a try from strong-running right wing James Kirwan, who controlled a loose ball to race 30 metres for a try.
Full back Darren McKenna failed to add the conversion, albeit by way of a drop goal attempt, but had earlier kicked two fine penalties and added a conversion to a try from hooker Barry Twomey.
Monkstown's victory can be primarily attributed to the performance of the pack. They enjoyed a pronounced edge in the set scrums and through second-row Shane O'Farrelly a consistent source of possession out of touch. However it was their rucking skills that provided the most valuable asset. They frequently turned over Bray possession and when not managing to steal the ball, slowed it down sufficiently to realign out wide.
Centre Niall Kearns was perhaps over used on the cutback but proved a strong ball carrier while wings Kirwan and Frank Keegan ran forcefully and tackled well. McKenna's forays were limited: in essence the sum of the parts outshone any individual cameos.
Bray will bemoan a poor start to the match in which they struggled to compete and also the fact that three penalty chances went a-begging. It was only when centre Conor Larkin forced his way past feeble Monkstown tackling for a try on 55 minutes, with Brian Murphy converting, that Presentation played with the requisite belief and dynamism. Prior to that the work ethic of Cormac Nolan, Kelly, Seamus Kennedy and Robert Connolly kept them in contention.
Monkstown will now face Terenure in the semi-final at Lansdowne Road - a repeat of the 1984 final that the latter won, 15-3. Terenure will start overwhelming favourites but as Kilkenny College so superbly demonstrated, good attitude coupled with ability and a little belief, can provide the most unexpected of results.
Scoring sequence: 1 min: McKenna penalty, 30; 22: McKenna penalty, 6-0. Half-time: 6-0. 37: Twomey try, McKenna conversion, 13-0; 55: Larkin try, Murphy conversion 13-7; 66: Nolan drop goal, 16-7; 73: Nolan drop goal, 19-7; 75: Kirwan try, 247.
CBC Monkstown: D McKenna; J Kirwan, N Kearns, R McCarthy, F Keegan; O Nolan, C St Lawrence; N Byrne, B Twomey, S Lamont; S O'Farrelly, S Kearns; T O'Malley, J Walsh, G Mahon (capt.). Replacement: K Doyle for Byrne (62 mins).
Presentation Bray: M Conroy; R Carroll, C Larkin, N McCarthy, W Murphy; E Farrell, M Flynn; B Murphy (capt.), P Hipple, S Kennedy; S Flood, D Mannion; C Nolan, D Kelly, R Connolly.
Referee: A Rolland (Leinster).
