Mary’s Under 20s land Purcell Cup

ST MARY’S College RFC Under 20s kicked on late to clinch a 21-16 point win over Old Belvedere and, with it, the Purcell Cup.

Played in Merrion Road on Sunday, the match saw Belvedere edge in front with a third-minute penalty before Sean McCahill cut his way in for a try after some fine work by David Boyle, David Mathews and Luke O’Brien in the build-up.

A converted try regained the lead for Belvo’ but the gap was narrowed to two points before the break when Derry O’Connor struck over a penalty.

Belvedere tagged on a further two penalties after the break to make it 16-8 after which Mary’s kicked into life.

A powerful run by McCahill took them to the line and after their pack drove at the opposing defence several times, Michael McCormack finally found the gap to break through with O’Connor tagging on the extras to leave the bare mini-mum between the sides.

The winger then added two more penalties to see Mary’s overtake into a five-point lead and they staved off the late threat by their opponents to secure the prize.