St Saran's, Ferbane were always in control against St Joseph's, Galway in the semi-final of the Connacht Senior Schools' Cup in Ferbane yesterday.
Their comprehensive victory was fashioned by a dominant pack who out-rucked their opponents to provide a platform for their half-backs, including the outstanding Conor O'Loughlin, to dictate the game.
The home team, playing with the wind, led 20-0 at half-time. A second-half revival from St Joseph's never materialised as St Saran's, thanks to Conor Grogan and Eoin Kelly, scored a further two tries. International schools' centre Martin McPhail scored a late consolation try for St Joseph's. St Saran's meet holders Sligo Grammar in the final next week.
St Saran's: S Butler; A Egan, O Geraghty, J Mannion, N Kenny; R Daly, C O'Loughlin; C Scott, W Farrell, C Grogan, E Kelly, C Campbell, C Galvin, R Guinan, D Kelly. Replacements: S Henry, B Lowry.
St Joseph's: D Keady; K Riddell, E Kiely, M McPhail, C Kearns; P Cuddy, G O'Sullivan; C Whoriskey, A O'Connell, R Keane, T O'Neill, D Rogers, F Dixon, T Ivers, D Golden. Replacements: A McRistearo.
Referee: E Walsh (Connacht Branch).
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