The full-time score from this Junior Cup first round match doesn’t tell the full story as a committed Temple Carrig had a number of good opportunities in their encounter with Belvedere College.
The north Dublin school had racked up a 24-0 lead by the break, but the Wicklow outfit were very well organised and physical and were able to put pressure on Belvedere from the start.
One notable opportunity came from an advancing maul when the score was 7-0, thwarted only when a Belvedere player stole possession over his own line.
Once the pressure was cleared, however, Belvedere struck quickly.
Having already chalked up Arthur Moran’s initial converted score from a lineout drive, Eoin McAdaimh struck twice (one converted) to push the score out to 19-0.
Temple Carrig kept the pressure on and were only stopped due to a couple of last-ditch tackles from a Belvedere team that were taking a liking to the firm Coolmine pitch.
Daniel Hawkshaw added a fine individual score just on the stroke of half-time to leave it at 24-0 at the turnaround.
In a very even and physical second half, the only real scoring opportunity was taken well by Simon Murphy who cantered over from 40 metres after a turnover.
Belvedere will be happy with a successful first outing and look forward to the quarter-final draw on Friday evening.
Their opponents, Temple Carrig, must be acknowledged for their massive contribution to this match.
This was their first official Leinster Schools Junior Cup fixture, following on from a hugely impressive qualifying campaign and they showed that they fully deserved to be there.
At Coolmine RFC – BELVEDERE COLLEGE 31 (E MacAdaimh 2 tries; A Moran, D Hawkshaw try each; S Murphy, try, 3 cons) TEMPLE CARRIG SCHOOL 0
