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Late Drama

St Munchin's snatch a late victory to book their place in the Munster Senior Cup quarter-finals

It was heartbreak again for Castletroy College.

Shane Murphy celebrates with Shane Kelly at the final whistle Players from St Munchin's celebrate after the final whistle. Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

St Munchin’s 24 —  19 Castletroy College

ST. MUNCHIN’S COLLEGE scored deep into injury time to set up a Munster Senior Cup quarter-final with Bandon Grammar next week.

In a game that could have gone either way, it was again late heartbreak for Castletroy College, as Munchin’s snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

The second game played at Thomond Park this afternoon was a much closer affair, with both sides throwing away leads on a dramatic day of rugby.

In a rip-roaring start, Munchin’s went 10-0 up through a try, conversion and penalty – all from out-half Jason Kiely.

It was all one-way traffic from the Corbally side, and Castletroy were struggling to get any real decent possession in the opening 20 minutes.

Castletroy players are dejected after conceding a final minute try Castletroy players are dejected after conceding a final minute try. Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

With the wind at his back, Kiely put too much on a clearance kick which ended up giving Castletroy an attacking opportunity just outside the ’22.

And after a number of phases, Munchin’s hooker Darren Radcliffe was sent to the bin for cynical play.

Opting for a scrum, Castletroy executed a set move, with openside Conor Bermingham touching down under the posts. scrum-half Stephen Atkinson added the conversion and the gap was down to three.

Munchin’s began to use the wind, and when Castletroy went off their feet at ruck time under the posts, referee Leo Colgan awarded Munchin’s a penalty, which Kiely somehow managed to miss.

Shane Kelly celebrates with Luke Costello after scoring a final minute try St Munchin's rejoice after scoring a late try. Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

Munchin’s did however turn pressure into points soon after. Great awareness from scrum-half Evan Maher saw the ball go through the hands for winger Tyrone O’Halloran to score in the corner. Kiely superbly added the touchline conversion to make it 17-7.

But back came the Newtown school. A turnover ball outside the ’22 gave Castletroy a chance to strike and they did.

Centre Paul Clancy got over the gainline and after a few pick and go kicks, hooker Kieran O’Shea got over. Bizarrely, Atkinson’s conversion was charged down and Munchin’s went in 17-12 up at half time.

The second-half began at a frantic pace with Munchin’s almost getting over for an early score, only for Castletroy’s Niall O’Shea to turnover at ruck time.

That seemed to give Castletroy the upper hand, and for the next twenty minutes they set up camp in the Munchin’s 22’.

Jake Murphy is tackled by Graham Bourke and Aaron Kennedy St. Munchin's in breaking a tackle against Castletroy College. Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

From there the penalty count began to rise against the Corbally side, but Castletroy’s line-out misfired on a number of occasions, much to the frustration of the backline.

However, just as Castletroy looked to be out of ideas, winger Muiris Rowesome evaded several would-be tacklers, to score out wide. Atkinson nailed on the conversion and Castletroy led for the first time in the game.

Munchin’s knew they had one roll of the dice left heading into stoppage time, and after a line-out maul brought them to within 10 metres of the line, they had a chance.

The pack carried like men possessed only to be held up short, but when needed most, captain Kealon McMahon got the ball down under the posts, sending the Munchin’s faithful into raptures.

Kiely sent the kick over for 24-19 and that’s how it finished. Munchin’s live to fight another day, but for Castletroy it’s the end of the road for this year.

Scorers:

Munchin’s:

Tries: Jason Kiely, Kealon McMahon, Tyrone O’Halloran

Pen: Jason Kiely

Conversions: Jason Kiely (3)

Castletroy:

Tries: Muiris Rowesome, Conor Bermingham, Kieran O’Shea.

Converts: Stephen Atkinson (2)

Teams:

St Munchin’s College

1. Mark O’Driscoll
2. Darren Radcliffe
3. Gary McCoy
4. Paddy Kelly
5. Kealon McMahon (C)
6. Mark Crowe
7. Jake Murphy
8. Shane Kelly

9. Evan Maher
10. Jason Kiely
11. Shane Murphy
12. Eoghan Carr
13. Garry Quilligan
14. Tyrone O’Halloran
15. Luke Costello

Replacements: 16. Evan Sheahan-O Donnell, 17. Karl Mullane, 18. Keith Hyland, 19. Jack Forde, 20. Riann O’Dwyer, 21. James Larkin, 22. Rob Clancy, 23. Jude Pendijito, 24. Jordan Curry, 25. Tom Harrington.

Castletroy College:

1. Adam Myers
2. Kieran O’Shea
3. Mark Bromell
4. Sean English (C)
5. Graham Bourke
6. Eoin O’Shea
7. Conor Bermingham
8. Sean Devitt

9. Stephen Atkinson
10. Sam Burns
11. Muiris Rowsome
12. Aaron Kennedy
13. Paul Clancy
14. Barry Richardson
15. Eoin Murphy

Replacements: 16. Sean Finucane, 17. Bryan Sheehan, 18. Ronan Keaveney, 19. Robert Maleady, 20. Darragh McCrann, 21. Sean Mulkern, 22. Joe Johnson, 23. Shane Morgan, 24. Sean Madden, 25. Luke Callinan.

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