Fanning And McInerney On The Mark For Mary’s
St. Mary’s College made it two AIB League wins on the trot against Dublin opposition as tries from Darragh Fanning and Conor McInerney helped them overcome the challenge of Blackrock College at Templeville Road on Saturday.
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.