Dooley gives Castletroy edge

MUNSTER SCHOOLS JUNIOR CUP FINAL/Castletroy College 22 PBC Cork 15:CASTLETROY COLLEGE created history by winning the Munster Schools Junior Cup for the first time in a thrilling final at Musgrave Park yesterday.

For flanker Michael Dooley it was a memorable afternoon because he scored his side's three tries.

Castletroy dethroned the holders in an action-packed decider, the Limerick school fighting back from 8-15 early in the second half to record a notable success.

Dooley barged over for his second try eight minutes after the interval, converted by Darren Nolan to level matters at 15-15, and he completed his hat-trick eight minutes from the end, Nolan again converting.

Pres threw everything at the Castletroy defence in a frantic finish, which included five minutes of injury-time, but couldn't break down a solid blue line.

Castletroy dominated the opening half, their impressive pack picking and driving to telling effect, but still found themselves 10-8 in arrears at the break.

After Nolan and Eamon Mills exchanged early penalties, Dooley crossed for the opening try after 23 minutes only for Pres to respond almost immediately, secondrow Greg O'Mahony making the line and Mills converting.

Within three minutes of the restart the holders struck again, Dylan Malone scoring in the left corner after a brilliant move.

That left Pres 15-8 in front and thinking of a 28th title, but Dooley, Enda Carroll and David O'Brien had other ideas and Castletroy stormed back before hanging on for a deserved win.

PBC: S Glynn; M O'Leary, R Cullinane, C Bannon, B O'Sullivan; E Mills, M Kelleher; B Scott, D Malone, S Randles; G O'Mahony, D Hartnett; R Murphy, A Hudson, R Caplice. Replacements: J O'Callaghan for Hartnett, E Power for Malone (both 39 mins); M Russell for Kelleher (45 mins); F Dineen for Randles (52 mins); D Horgan for Scott, B Fitzgerald for Caplice, S Dinan for Bannon (all 55 mins).

CASTLETROY COLLEGE: J O'Sullivan; D Nolan, G Barrett, E Clancy, S Droog; A Fullen, N Cronin; G Egleston, E Murphy, C Clancy; K Reale, D O'Brien; M Dooley, E Carroll, C Bonfil.

Referee: D McCormack (Munster).