The class of centre Ian Flynn shone like a beacon as Belvedere safely negotiated the opening hurdle in defence of the trophy. Section A winners Skerries posed plenty of problems, especially during the opening half at Castle Avenue, but Flynn's first try following a 10-metres scrum just before the interval, eased Belvedere into an 8-3 lead. Earlier, full-back Eamon Fitzgerald had opened the scoring with a penalty, but Gary Levins responded with a 25-metre penalty for Skerries. With the wind in their favour after the interval, Belvedere looked a more formidable outfit and Flynn soon extended their lead with a superb individual try. Number eight, Dan O'Kane, left wing Ian McDonald and prop Neil Taaffe added tries before Skerries full-back Paul Sherlock eventually forced his way over for a deserved consolation try.
Belvedere: E Fitzgerald; M McCarthy, I Flynn, K Bardon, I McDonald; C O'Loghlen, C Miley; N Taaffe, N Gallagher, C Mitchell, J Bolger, L McGrath, C Murphy, R Bowe, D O'Kane. Replacements: C Ginty for McGrath, E O'Reilly for McCarthy, H Delap for Bolger.
Skerries: P Sherlock; O Keane, D Kirwan, M Campbell, C Shiels; G Levins, E O'Byrne; R Dempsey, R Shortall, M Dunne, A Quinn, D Power, R Otto, D Lee, C Galvin. Replacements: M Jenkins for Quinn, B Curtis for Kirwan
Referee: A Acheson (Leinster Branch).
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