Bragging rights won by Temple Carrig
TEMPLE CARRIG PRES BRAY 21 15
NEWS that Temple Carrig had been successful in the semi-final of the Bank of Ireland Vinnie Murray Cup against The High School by 21-14 reached us just before deadline on Tuesday evening.
To get to that last-four berth they enjoyed a memorable and wonderful victory over Pres Bray in an all-Wicklow contest in Energia Park, Donnybrook, last week.
Pres Bray started the better of the two and raced into a 12-3 lead in the first 20 minutes with tries from captain Chris Lawless and Peter Ford.
A Stephen Corry penalty extended their lead just before the break and Pres looked comfortable.
Temple Carrig, however, showed another level of grit in the second half and held Pres at bay for the second 35 minutes while Thade Shanahan took every opportunity to go for the posts that came his way.
The TCG full back kicked 11 points in total, eight in that nail-biting second half.
Cormac Coffey’s early second half try began the comeback for Temple Carrig, Shanahan added the extras to make it 15-10.
And they finally edged themselves in front in the 61st minute when Shanahan added his third penalty of the game, making it 16-10.
Replacement James Smartt put the icing on the cake in the final few minutes, flying into the corner for their second try of the afternoon.
Pres had one last push to try and snatch victory but TCG held firm and booked their place in the next round.
The Kings Hospital defeated Catholic University School 12-7 in the first semi-final of the day on Tuesday.
On Monday last, Temple Carrig’s Junior team bowed out of the 2020 Bank of Ireland Fr Godfrey Cup.
Lakelands played host to The High School’s win over the Greystones outfit.
The Rathgar side trailed by two at half-time but eventually ran out 17-12 winners.