THE greater physical strength of St Benildus proved too much for a gallant St Mary's, Dundalk, side when the Kilmacud school ran out winners of this first round tie at Skerries.

Using their experience against a school playing in the competition for the first time in 40 years, St Benildus scored the game's only try in the 16th minute of the second half. Hooker Brian O'Loughlin got on the end of a strong surge by the pack to touchdown.

Two well struck penalties by the St Benildus outhalf, Aidan Blake, had left his side 6-0 ahead at halftime. But when the lively St Mary's scrum hall, Robert Blackmore (son of former Dundalk League of Ireland goalkeeper Richie Blackmore) reduced arrears with a 35 metre penalty three minutes after the interval, it looked as if a surprise might be in store.

Dominance however, by their pack, in which Paul Kavanagh, Neil West man and flanker Kevin Sharkey were most prominent, led to the St Benildus try. Blake's conversion put the result beyond doubt and the same player added a penalty in the last minute.