Ajina grabs decisive score as Terenure survive battle

TERENURE came through a torrid test from Roscrea at Energia Park to become the first Leinster Schools Junior Cup semi-finalists.

There was admirable commitment to keeping the ball in hand in blustery conditions, ’Nure setting the tone through Matthew Somerville and Harvey O’Leary, wing Simon Horgan finishing in the left corner and O’Leary converting from the touchline on 13 minutes.

Roscrea looked all at sea, their lineout failing to function and unable to move forward without the ball. When they did get it, their primary weapons started to come to the fore, athletic No 8 Max Flynn crashing over from a five-metre scrum for 7-5 in the 25th minute.

Suddenly, Roscrea were filled with confidence and full-back Charlie O’Sullivan dotted down for the lead in the 27th minute. The third try arrived from centre Calum Browne who scored for 15-7 at the break.

Terenure began the second half as they had the first, their driving game making ground quickly to eke out a lineout which flanker Carlos Montero turned into five points in the 34th minute. Now, the Dubliners had the momentum again, No 8 Ben Nolan and centre Yousif Ajina causing problems.

They twice spilled the ball with the line in sight before Ajina blasted through for the try, O’Leary converting for 19-15 in the 50th minute. From there ’Nure were on the back foot, but they defended with aggression and held on.

TERENURE – T Costello; D Martin (E Walsh 45), Y Ajina, H O’Leary, S Horgan; H Ennis (R King 45), P Swords; O Storey, M Egan (M Murphy 52), J Delaney (C O’Brien 45); C RedmondMurray, M Somerville (capt); O Flanagan (E Geraghty h-t), C Montero, B Nolan.

ROSCREA – C O’Sullivan; A Dunne, C Browne, J Conroy, G Fitzgerald (capt); F Fleetwood, S Finlay; C Kennedy, R Lydon, R Óg Doody; R Roe, R Glynn; M O’Sullivan (C Schofield 47, C Frawley 52), R Whelan, M Flynn (B Cleare 58).

REF – C Wardrop (Leinster Branch).