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St. Mary’s Continue On The Winning Trail

St. Mary’s Continue On The Winning Trail

Six tries from St. Mary’s College paved the way for a comfortable 46-27 victory over Bruff in the second round of the AIB Cup at Templeville Road on Saturday afternoon.

AIB CUP SECOND ROUND: Saturday, October 17

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 46 BRUFF 27, Templeville Road

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Scorers: St. Mary’s College: Tries: Stuart O’Flanagan, Gavin Dunne, Stephen Grissing, Paul Nash, Conor Quinn, Stephen Bradshaw; Cons: Gavin Dunne 5; Pens: Gavin Dunne 2
Bruff: Tries: Patrick Thompson 2, penalty try; Cons: Brian Cahill 3; Pens: Brian Cahill 2

The Ciaran Potts and Shaun McCarthy-coached Dubliners recorded an expected win to continue their excellent form which sees them undefeated in the Leinster Senior League Cup, AIB League Division 1A and the AIB Cup.

Gavin Dunne was unlucky not to put the hosts in front in the third minute as his penalty attempt hit the post.

However, St. Mary’s made the most of the situation as a subsequent Bruff knock on allowed Stuart O’Flanagan to score the first try off the back of a home scrum.

Dunne excellently slotted the tricky conversion to give his side a 7-0 lead after four minutes.

The hosts piled on the pressure right from the start with a dominant pack making life difficult for Bruff at the breakdown.

Mary’s continued to make good use of their set piece ball, and a lineout inside the Bruff half provided the platform for Dunne to break the line of defence and score the second try.

The away side, coached by Eoin Cahill and Peter Malone, have had mixed fortunes in the AIB League Division 2 this season with an opening victory against Highfield but this was followed by a 54-13 hammering by Lansdowne last week.

Place-kicker Brian Cahill had his kicking boots on as he converted two Bruff penalties in the first half.

However, numerous knock ons from the Limerick side meant that they could not establish a significant attacking presence on the match.

Impressive second row Robin Copeland was once again in flying form, controlling the Mary’s lineout and putting in some great work at the breakdown.

Mary’s flanker Paul Nash scored the fourth try for the home side, pushing the lead out to 34-6 going into half-time.

Bruff started the second half well as they put pressure on Mary’s inside their 22 but an accidental offside allowed the home side to clear the danger.

However, Bruff came back quickly and were allowed to play for most of the third quarter in their opponents’ half. The good pressure paid off in the 60th minute when the Bruff forwards managed to force a penalty try which was converted by Brian Cahill.

But the Dublin side replied quickly with two tries in quick succession from Conor Quinn and Stephen Bradshaw to dispel any thoughts of a Bruff comeback.

The Limerick men deserve credit for keeping their momentum going and full-back Patrick Thompson put in a great second half performance to score two tries with the help of a rejuvenated backline.