St Saran's change balance of power

Schools Rugby Connacht Senior Cup final: St Saran's - 20 Sligo Grammar - 0 Times are certainly changing in Connacht. Newcomers St Saran's of Ferbane were crowned senior school champions yesterday for the first time, overcoming opponents and favourites Sligo Grammar at the Galway Sportsground.

This Senior Cup final, the showcase of the Connacht schools rugby season, could well have been a damp squib given the lashing rain and wind before the game. But the St Saran's hunger manifested itself in a sterling performance, crowned by two second-half tries.

It was a case of third time lucky for this small co-ed school that boasts just 120 pupils. Lacking a long history in schools rugby - their only success to date being provincial and national awards for best developing school - they had advanced to the finals on two occasions, losing to Connacht kingpins Garbally College in 1998 and to Sligo in 2000.

St Saran's, coached by Ray O'Loughlin, took the game to Sligo and never relented. The grammar school might have tradition on their side, defending the title they have won eight times, but they rarely established any territorial advantage, much less created chances.

Within three minutes St Saran's had torn into Grammar at the breakdown and their Connacht schools' star, outhalf Aidan Wynne, had struck from 35 metres to open the scoring.

With all the possession, well won through a perfect strike rate from hooker Gavin Kelly in the lineouts, St Saran's had pace in their backs with Wynne and centres Tom Gilligan and Aidan Keenaghan always threatening. When Wynne's second penalty effort from 33 metres out sailed just over the bar, it was not more than St Saran's deserved.

Sligo, under pressure at the breakdown, lost too much possession, despite a superior scrum and a rolling maul which at times had St Saran's back-pedalling. And when outhalf and captain Paul Gillespie blocked a St Saran's clearance centre Stuart Dorran looked set to score, but was penalised for attacking from an offside position.

That was as good as it got for the title defenders. But St Saran's, just six points ahead, tried everything to make the breakthrough and it appeared when Keenaghan was obstructed after his lateral run and kick through, the Ferbane school might not have the legs to last. Certainly they were guilty of kicking too much ball away which could have proved costly if Sligo had been able to take advantage.

However, it was St Saran's who made the breakthrough after 56 minutes following a kicking duel between the full backs. Trevor Phelan responded to Ross Butler's kick with one of his own, and substitute winger Matthew Boland did well to grab possession and offload to flanker Kevin Lally who sent Tom Gilligan through on the left wing. Wynne, in kicking form, added the conversion to put St Saran's into a 13-0 lead.

Although Sligo tried to respond, they could not come to terms with St Saran's at the breakdown. Gerry Grehan's tackle on the counter-attacking Butler epitomised the intent of the Ferbane outfit as they crowned a fine afternoon's work with a last try.

Under pressure on their line, Gillespie's clearance was blocked by Gilligan and substitute flanker Stephen Keena only had to dive to extend their winning margin. Wynne maintained his 100 per cent kicking record to seal a historic day for St Saran's.

SCORING SEQUENCE: 3 mins: Wynne penalty 3-0; 14 mins: Wynne penalty 6-0; Half-time 6-0; 56 mins: Gilligan try, Wynne conversion 13-0; 69 mins: Keena try, Wynne conversion 20-0.

ST SARAN'S, FERBANE: T Phelan; G Grehan, A Keenaghan, T Gilligan, P Heavin; A Wynne, P Shrahan; J Walsh, G Kelly, C Malone, J Guinan, S Rourke, L Browne, K Lally, C Coughlan. Replacements: M Boland for Heavin (41 mins), S Keena for Lally (55), T Guinan for Grehan (70).

SLIGO GRAMMAR: R Butler; J Quinn, C Goulden, S Dorran, D Torsney; P Gillespie (capt), F Considine; A Quinn, B Carson, R O'Boyle, D Quinn, K Williams, K Richardson, J Draper, J Bell. Replacements: S Coulter for Draper (45 mins), S Gillespite for Considine (60).

Referee: T Horkan (Connacht).