Tallaght strategy working out well

The IRFU's Tallaght strategy is already showing signs of being a success.

In their first competitive year, Tallaght Community School marched into the Leinster Schools' Section A Junior Cup quarter-final with a convincing 36-0 drubbing of CBS New Ross in Kilkenny yesterday.

Colβiste Eoin, Athy had already been seen off 26-12 and the New Ross school went the same way, but in more convincing fashion.

Centre Lee Bagnell and blindside Rory Gleeson each bagged a brace of tries and the others came from openside Alan Moore and full back Chris Thompson.

Mount Temple survived an almighty effort from Tullamore Community College to win 17-12 at Templeville Road. It was a match-up between Temple's greater organisation and the eventual losers' ferocious tackling.

A try from number eight Steve Boyle eventually separated the two sides, who were locked together at 12 points apiece until the 52nd minute.

St Columba's College outsmarted CBS Wexford 19-7 at Bray. In the opening 10 minutes Julian Cafolla and Adam Phillpot produced individual tries. The second was converted by scrumhalf Chris Cahill, who added a second-half try and conversion before Wexford finally got on the scoresheet with a try and conversion from Mark Heffernan.

Three tries from number eight Vincent Byrne, who opened the scoring after just two minutes, was more than enough to see Marian College through 58-12 against New Ross Vocational College.

The remaining Marian tries were scored by Gary McDonald (two), Ryan O'Neill (two), Harry Eager, Ed Fogarty and Stephen Mooney. New Ross's excellent outhalf Jason Finn stole in for two tries and a conversion in the second half.

Loosehead prop Andrew Boyle was the matchwinner for Sandford Park in their gutsy 10-6 defeat of Good Counsel College. He crashed over for the only try of the game midway through the second-half at Kilkenny.

Wilson's Hospital edged out St Patrick's, Navan 11-5 in a close encounter at Barnhall. Claudio Nardone's two penalties in the 28th and 53rd minutes were the difference.

Centre Eddie O'Mahony ran in three tries for Skerries Community School in their facile 46-0 whitewashing of St MacDara's at Templeogue College. They led 29-0 at the break, thanks to five tries, and outhalf John Gavin continued to show the way in attack.

In a low-scoring second round replay, Templeogue College got through 6-3 in their ding-dong struggle with De La Salle Churchtown at Danum.