Ulster Bank League: Division 1A Reviews - ST. MARY'S COLLEGE vs TERENURE COLLEGE

ST. MARY'S COLLEGE 20 TERENURE COLLEGE 13, Templeville Road


Leinster lock Ian Nagle was among the try scorers as St. Mary's College deservedly won the 'Battle of Dublin 6W', prevailing 20-13 at home to Terenure College.

Nagle featured in the Mary's second row for this well-attended local derby, partnering his provincial colleague Rhys Ruddock's older brother Ciaran. The home pack also included Ulster lock Alan O'Connor's younger sibling David.

Four players who provincial experience also featured for the visitors - Conor Finn, Sam Coghlan Murray, Oisin Heffernan and Harrison Brewer - but they were disrupted by an early ankle injury to full-back James O'Donoghue.

Mary's drew first blood, capitalising on a 'Nure knock-on to send O'Donoghue's opposite number Terry Kennedy skating over in the corner for a 12th-minute try converted by Dave Fanagan.

After Jake Swaine hit the post with a Terenure penalty, the hosts executed a terrific maul closing in on half-time and Corkman Nagle was credited with the unconverted score out wide.

Swaine managed to close the gap to 12-3 at the break with his only penalty success of the afternoon, however the setbacks kept coming for 'Nure as centre Finn went off injured and hooker Robbie Smyth was sent to the sin-bin.

Mary's took full advantage to move into a 17-3 lead, some excellent interplay close to the touchline - albeit with what looked a forward pass - freeing up out-half Fanagan for a run to the line in the 53rd minute.

Credit to Terenure, who remain second from bottom in the standings, they bounced back to score two tries in the final 14 minutes with Stephen O'Neill going over in the corner and fellow replacement Conor Weakliam finishing off a cracking break by winger Swaine.

Fanagan sandwiched in a penalty at the other end to see Jamie Cornett's side complete a season's double over their neighbours - they were 17-13 winners at Lakelands in October. The result has moved them up one place to fifth in the table, 11 points behind the top four, while 'Nure's late rally saw them claim a hard-earned losing bonus point which could yet prove important.