AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, February 22
ST. MARY'S COLLEGE 18 BLACKROCK COLLEGE 8, Templeville Road
Scorers: St. Mary's College: Tries: Darragh Fanning, Conor McInerney; Con: Shaun McCarthy; Pens: Shaun McCarthy 2
Blackrock College: Try: Shane Monahan; Pen: Darragh Fitzpatrick
Winners at Old Belvedere last time out, St. Mary's College made the most of their scoring opportunities to close back in on Division One's play-off positions.
However, Blackrock will be kicking themselves as this is a match they should have won.
The division's top try scorer, Shane Monahan, missed two gilt-edged try-scoring chances - knocking on twice with the try-line in his sights.
There were 20 minutes on the clock before Mary's out-half Shaun McCarthy opened the scoring with a surefooted penalty goal.
Australian McCarthy had Conor McPhillips as his half-back partner, following Matt D'Arcy's recent departure to Doncaster.
Darragh Fitzpatrick squared up the game with a penalty for 'Rock before Mary's winger Darragh Fanning struck for his try, on the stroke of half-time.
Fanning's score went unconverted, leaving Mary's 8-3 ahead at the break. The try scorer increased his influence on proceedings with a superb last-ditch tackle which denied the visitors a certain try.
McCarthy kicked Mary's 11-3 ahead and when lock Conor McInerney followed up on some good work by his former Ireland Under-20 team-mate Kevin Sheahan and McCarthy to score a crucial 68th minute try, the game was as good as over.
'Rock had little in reserve but they did gain a consolation try in injury-time when Monahan skipped clear of the cover to score a five-pointer.