King's Hospital 20, Castleknock College 15: Paul McCullagh's ten points drove King's Hospital to their second Vinnie Murray Senior Cup final victory at Donnybrook yesterday.
They had to look back to 2006 for their previous success. This one revolved around the touches from their classy number eight Matthew Bursey, one of their three try scorers, the opportunism of scrumhalf Roan Sharkey and the impact of centre McCullagh.
For all of that, Castleknock will regret getting out of the blocks slowly in both halves, going behind 12-0 before rattling off 10 points in three minutes from Bilal M’Uazzam’s converted try and prop Groff Brookes’ penalty on the half hour.
Castleknock would have been reminded of the need for a fresh impetus by coach Adrian Flavin – former Ireland international Jeremy Staunton was there to assist too – but, they could not dominate as ordered.
King's Hospital outhalf Rob Lawless had the sense to put McCullagh away down the tramlines and his strong fend propelled him onto the left corner for 17-10 in the 44th minute.
They were ten clear from a McCullagh penalty in the 56th minute. Castleknock came calling to work the overlap for replacement Carl Keogh to make it over for 20-15 on the hour.
They had the time but not the composure to complete the comeback.
CASTLEKNOCK: P Murtagh; R O'Meara, M Boucher, L Mellett, D McConville; A Chester, L Salmon; G Brookes, J Gibney, J Kelligan, C Stinson, A Healy, R McHugh (capt), B M'Uazzam, C Birmingham. Replacements: C Keogh for Kelligan (ht); A Rooney for Stinson (45); A Hobson for Chester (50); C Taylor for Birmingham, D Ladd for O'Meara (56); Z Emara for Gibney (61); J Horgan for M'Uazzam, C O'Brien for Boucher (66).
KING'S HOSPITAL: D Courtney; D Smith, P McCullagh, W Potterton, (capt), L Morgan; R Lawless, R Sharkey; J White, J Perry, C Petit, F Shilling, J O'Reilly, S Kane, S Charman, M Bursey. Replacements: R Olusa for Morgan (41); T Doyle for Kane (57).
Referee: D Stronge, Leinster Branch
