St Paul's captured their first major trophy in dramatic fashion at Donnybrook yesterday when Liam Billings sent over a drop goal in injury time to hand his side victory in the Leinster Schools junior league final.

It was a hugely popular victory for the school but there were some tense moments for the team from Dublin's northside.

There was little to recommend in the early stages of the game, with both packs pretty much cancelling each other out.

But finally, with eight minutes to the break, Barry Flanagan put Newbridge in front with a penalty from in front of the posts.

But St Paul's struck a vital blow before half time when fullback Billings reversed his run to score under the posts following a short pass from out-half Mark Leahy. Philip Brennan converted to leave St Paul's 7-3 at the break.

But Newbridge returned for the second half with renewed intent, and only a fine tackle from Jodie Bastow stopped wing Eimhin Burns from going over in the corner.

Inevitably, relentless pressure from the Newbridge pack took its toll on St Paul's, and they went behind with nine minutes remaining when Flanagan stormed over on the right after forward Simon Byrne had broken through the middle.

St Paul's responded well, and a scrum in front of posts saw scrumhalf Stephen Lennon feed Billings who took a step back before slotting over the winning points.

St Paul's College: L Billings; P Byrne, P Brennan, D Flynn, J Bastow; M Leahy, S Lennon; S McIlvenna, E Kidd, I Cheevers, D D'Arcy, E Murphy, N Dennis, M Coleman, J Gallagher (capt).

Newbridge College: B Flanagan; E Burns, B O'Donnell, T Murphy, P Coonan; S McGrath, S Farrell; D Kerin, P Bough, R Price, W O'Brien, G Rowan, J Holmes, D Cross, J Heaslip. Replacement: S Byrne for D Kerin.

Referee: J Counihan (ARLB).