There were jubilant scenes at the end of the Leinster Schools' Section A Junior Cup final as Wilson's Hospital captured the title for the first time in five attempts at Donnybrook yesterday.
Ten years ago Wilson's endured one of their heartbreaking defeats against Skerries and yesterday there were ominous signs as early as the third minute that it would not be their day again.
Skerries second row Eoghan Mulligan dived over in the right corner for an unconverted try. The build-up to the try was most impressive with forwards and backs combining to carve out the opening for Mulligan.
Slowly Wilson's gained a foothold in the game with centres John Paradise and Aruna Kanu making their presence felt. Full-back Claudio Nardone kicked penalties in the 16th and 30th minutes to edge them in front at the break.
After the break both sides threatened to break through, but in the 48th minute Wilson's fulfilled their potential when open-side Ian Condell dashed in front of a two-man lineout to catch the Skerries players by surprise on his way to crossing in the left corner.
WILSON'S HOSPITAL: C Nardone; D Kelly, A Kanu, J Paradise, N Mills; G Peavoy, S Moorehead; B Broomfield, W Carry, D Loughrey, Z Warner, D Murtagh, A Camphell, I Condell, L Westwater. Replacement: C Fitzgerald for Kelly (51 mins).
SKERRIES CC: S Dempsey; S Canning, E O'Mahony, D Crowell, J Glennon; J Gavin, E Dempsey; R Conlon-Murphy, D Lamont, R Connors, C Musgrave, E Mulligan, G Duffy, C Pierce, P Matthews. Replacement: R O'Connor for Canning (half-time).
Referee: C O'Brien (Leinster Branch).
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