HIGH SCHOOL lost their concentration at the crucial stage to let St Michael's in for two late tries in yesterday's Leinster Schools' Junior Cup second-round tie at Donnybrook. Having earlier surrendered a 10-point lead, St Michael's redoubled their efforts in the dying minutes to achieve a dramatic win.
With three minutes remaining, full back Damien Drennan pounced for a try in the corner. Then, in the dying seconds, a John Byrne try gave St Michael's a somewhat flattering 10-point winning margin.
High School had got out of the blocks first. Some concerted pressure close to the St Michael's line gave David Campbell the opportunity to get over for a try. Ross Wynne converted.
St Michael's recovered well, however, and by the 48th minute, they had raced into a 17-7 lead. A Barry Coughlan try, converted by Simon Byrne, had seen them draw level, 7-7, at the break. Then lock Brian Travers took a clean ball in the line-out, 10 yards out, and powered his way to the line to give his side the lead. High School were clearly struggling, and they let scrum-half Alan Keogh slip in unnoticed for another rather soft try.
Nonetheless, High School clawed their way back. Wynne kept them in touch with a penalty before Julian Fraser availed of an overlap to go over for a try. Wynne converted to level the scores and prepare the way for a dramatic finale.
