Adrian Flavin’s Castleknock did not have to endure the kind of scare they got from St Conleth’s (27-25) in the first round as they advanced to a Bank of Ireland Vinnie Murray Cup semi-final.
‘Knock were away and clear long before half-time when they held a 29-0 lead.
It could have been more were it not for brave defence from DLS, led by Morgan Merriman.
The accuracy of the winners work was a step-up on the first round. Centre James Brannigan and left wing Nico Eastmond showed the way by sharing four tries equally.
De La Salle were thrown right into the deep end and they looked more at ease with themselves as the game wore-on.
No doubt, this had something to do with Castleknock knowing the game was safe and having the semi-final to consider in limiting the chance of injury by introducing their bench.
Still, Salle kept their heads up for joint-captain Kevin O’Neill to make the most important impression from a try which was converted by full-back Dylan Finlay in the 48th minute.
These was no chance of any meaningful comeback as flanker Darragh McNally, scrum-half Liam Salmon, wing Marc Boucher and replacement Josh Connolly had completed the set of eight tries by the hour mark.
Salle finished strong by camping out in ‘Knock’s half for the last ten minutes, driving forward for inside centre Ryan McLoughlin-Heaphy to notch their second try.
CASTLEKNOCK COLLEGE 46 DE LA SALLE, CHURCHTOWN 12
At Templeville Road – Castleknock College 46 (J Brannigan, N Eastmond 2 tries each; M Boucher try, 3 cons; D McNally, J Connolly, L Salmon, try each); De La Salle Churchtown 12 (K O’Neill, R McLoughlin try each; D Finlay con)
Castleknock: Cathal Lacey; Marc Boucher, James Brannigan, Sean Gibbons (capt), Nico Eastmond; Patrick Murtagh, Liam Salmon; Jack Keleghan, Michael Corcoran, Gavin Murray, Jack Horgan, Daniel Treacy, Ryan Bougerra, Darragh McNally, Cian Clancy.
Replacements Used: James Gibney, Alex Doyle, Carl Keogh, Michael McGinley, Connor O’Brien, Cian Eggenton, Josh Connolly, Jamie McGaley.
De La Salle: Dylan Finlay; Nathan O’Donovan, Daniel Slattery, Ryan McLoughlin-Heaphy, Sibusiso Buthelezi; Kevin O’Neill, Alejandro Laforga; Ronan Merriman, Mark Walsh, Oussama Bouattoura, Kieran Cameron, Ronan Kelly, Morgan Merriman, Ryan Fitzgerald, Daniel Byrne.
Replacements Used: Dean Hayden, Hudheifa Deleny, Fergus Balfe, Ben O’Connell, Gerard McTague.
