TWO KILKENNY tries in the opening 15 minutes provided them with the platform for an impressive win over newcomers Scoil Eoin CBS Athy in this Leinster Schools Senior A Cup quarter-final at the Oak Park grounds in Carlow yesterday.
The game opened ominously for Athy when the superior Kilkenny pack forced two scrums against the head in the opening minutes. Tries from left wing Stephen D'Alton and flanker Geoffrey Kenny followed in the fourth and 15th minutes, though neither was converted. Athy full back Aaron Flood opened his side's account with a sixth-minute penalty.
Kilkenny College ran the ball at every given opportunity and had the game in safe keeping by halftime when leading 18-6. Their third try came on the stroke of half-time when right wing Philip Furney crossed following outstanding work by the Kilkenny forwards and back division.
Within two minutes of the restart Kilkenny had rampaged through for their fourth try with Stephen Dalton again touching down.
Athy refused to buckle and had their reward 20 minutes into the second half when David Dunne thundered over in the corner.
Kilkenny centre David Smith struck two superb sideline conversions, one from each side in the second half and also succeeded with a splendid first half penalty.