Derby win sees Mary’s rise

ST MARY’S College moved up one place to fifth in the Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League following their 20-13 point victory over neighbouring rivals Teren-ure College in Templeville Road on Saturday.

Up by nine points at the break, the hosts blasted out of the blocks on 12 minutes when Darren Moroney fed full back Terry Kennedy and he made it over in the corner before Dave Fana-gan tagged on the extras.

Terenure did have the chance to reduce their arrears, but Jake Swaine’s penalty hit the post and, instead, Mary’s extended their advantage when Leinster lock Ian Nagle applied the finishing touch to a superbly executed maul, his try going unconverted.

The visitors did manage to get off the mark before the halftime recess when Swaine sent over a penalty late in the first half.

Yet the task of recovery grew even greater for the them after they lost Conor Finn to injury while Robbie Smyth was shown yellow.

Those losses manifested themselves on the score-board as Mary’s out half Fanagan got over 15 minutes after the break.

Yet Terenure were not about to simply lie down in this derby and hauled themselves back into the running when Stephen O’Neill and Conor Weakliam both touched down and it was only a penalty by Fanagan that kept the hosts out of reach.

While Mary’s move up the ladder, the losing bonus point sees Terenure stay put in ninth.