Halloran pounces

Vinnie Murray Senior Cup/ Templogue College 14; Skerries CC 13: Centre Michael Halloran showed all the instincts of a natural poacher when retrieving a garryowen from his outhalf Brian McNamara to turn this enthralling Vinnie Murray Senior Cup quarter-final in Templeogue's favour at Coolmine yesterday.

Skerries looked the more likely to go through to a last-four meeting with CBC Monkstown when left wing Eddie O'Mahony sprinted in for a 13-6 lead in the 50th minute.

It was at this point that captain Michael Mooney, who had to withdraw with a knee injury just before the start, stripped off his tracksuit and gave Templeogue the leadership they were looking for.

Number eight James Dunne struck his third penalty and Halloran followed up McNamara's towering up-and-under to pick the breaking ball and drive over with the assistance of Craig Morrin.

It was a hard pill to swallow for Skerries, who had improved their attack since the 9-9 draw last week to conjure up two tries from Colm Pierce and O'Mahony.

Scorers. Templeogue College: M Halloran try; James Dunne 3 pens. Skerries: C Pierce, E O'Mahony try each; E Dempsey pen.

TEMPLEOGUE COLLEGE: C Keogh; R Hanniffy, M Halloran, C Morrin, J Valentine; B McNamara, P McGillon; Jamie Dunne, D Doyle (M Mooney 51), S Larson, P Foran, P Hughes, B McDonnell (C Ryan 54), James Dunne, R Hale (capt).

SKERRIES CC: D Daly; R O'Connor, S Dempsey, J Gavin, E O'Mahony; E Dempsey, S Robbins; C Wilkinson, G Sambrookes (R McMahon 43), G Duffy, J Glennon, G Donoghue, C Geraghty, C Pierce (G Dennis 68), P Matthews (capt).

Referee: J Montayne, Leinster Branch.