Sharper edge key to derby

Significantly, this was the first win that St Mary's managed at Lakelands since the birth of the All-Ireland League. And just as significantly it was without the usual star names and attendance that the Dublin 6 derby would have had in previous times.

Terenure came out of the blocks in a finer fashion. The first half-hour of this match brought them 16 points, without a reply. The ever dependable boot of Richard Governey got three successful kicks at goal through penalties, while 'Nure's new fullback, Clinton Hall, dodged two tackles before completing a 40-metre dash for the goal-line after 28 minutes.

These scores were nothing less than the home side deserved. Encamped as they were in the Mary's half, only some erratic passes prevented them from getting more tries in what was their period of dominance. The try that St Mary's James Norton got, within five minutes of the half-time break, was against the run of play and was also probably the match turner.

Terenure also started the second half with the confidence and drive that they manufactured during the first. Governey extended their convincing lead with a self-made try.

The 25-year-old chipped before collecting the same ball on the hop in the Mary's goal area. That made it 21-7, and the second half had barely begun. It was just about then though that St Mary's fitness and, more importantly, sharpness rang through.

It was into the last half-hour of the game when Mary's really started to dominate. Their former UCD out-half, Lynn, got three penalties, while Conor McPhilips availed of a burst from the pack from Peter Coyle to get over and set up Lynn for the two penalties that would make the six-point difference between the sides.

TERENURE: C Hill, P Costelloe, M Dowling, J Sullivan, J Treacy, R Governey, K Putt, J Nolan, C Egan, S Barretto, N Allica, D Quinn, D Blaney, P O'Malley, B Kavanagh. Subs: D Broughall for N Allica (50 mins), J Keogh for S Barretto (70 mins).

ST MARY'S: P McKenna, J Norton, K Lewis, G Gannon, J MacWeeney, B Lynn, C McPhilips, P Coyle, G Hickie, D Clare, E Keane, J Ryan, M Brown, S Jennings, S Conlon, Subs: A McCarthy for M Brown (45 mins), K Jennings for S Conlon (55 mins), P Tucker for P Coyle 67 mins.

Referee: L Mayne (Munster)