The main question surrounding Castleknock's prospects at this stage of the cup was whether Simon Crawford could produce another influential display at number eight. Well he did, and in the process guaranteed his school the first slot in next month's semi-finals.
It may not have been the most exciting quarter-final that Donnybrook has witnessed, but there were was no lack of tension in the air. Castleknock had to work hard to dismiss a stubborn CBC Monkstown, and while it was a team effort, the display from Crawford was outstanding. He kicked five penalties, none of them easy, and was also central to almost all of his side's offensive breaks.
Yet there was no shortage of inspiration behind him. Full back Brian Fogarty was deceptively fast and Greg Stafford's imagination was vivid. Captain Colm Manning also showed little hesitancy in his desire to run.
CBC Monkstown possessed some useful backs of their own but, no more than the opposition, failed to make any serious threat on the goal-line. In fact, the number of opportunities for a try can be counted on one finger.
Instead, the scoreline was dominated by the boots of Crawford and CBC's lively full back Conor Dundon. Crawford kicked two penalties in the opening five minutes after tidy and efficient work by the back line.
But CBC gradually settled. Number eight John Walsh was pivotal in their advancement to this stage and he was soon making his presence felt, along with Shane O'Farrelly. With a slight physical advantage in the pack, CBC were able to limit the damage of Castleknock's superior possession.
In the second half CBC were enjoyed equal possession but rarely did they take a telling advantage.
Had CBC been able to alter their game plan in the final 10 minutes then they may have got back in contact. Instead, they relied on the predictable and that ultimately failed.
Scoring sequence: 2 mins: Crawford penalty, 3-0; 5: Crawford penalty, 6-0; 31: Dundon penalty, 6-3; 38: Crawford penalty, 9-3; 43: Dundee penalty, 9-6; 46: Crawford penalty, 12-6, 64: Crawford penalty, 15-6.
CASTLEKNOCK: B Fogarty; D Stone, P Daly, C Manning, C Mescall; G Stafford, M Flanagan; J Challenor, J Reid, L Louth, S O'Reilly, P Duffy, K Collins, M Brady, S Crawford. Replacements: K O'Neill for Duffy (46 mins), O Carpenter for Louth (51 mins).
CBC MONKSTOWN: C Dundon; L Kavanagh, P Fox, B O'Connor, S Maguire; M Tuthill, B O'Brien; N Byrne, M Cooney, K Doyle, M Shanley, C Kennedy, S O'Farrelly, A Murray, J Walsh. Replacements: B Power for Maguire (61 mins).
Referee: S Buggy (ARLB).
