Munster Schools Senior Cup [Quarter-finals]
St. Munchin’s College 23
Rockwell College 10
ST. MUNCHIN’S SECURED their place in the semi-finals with a strong performance against the highly-rated Rockwell, who were beaten finalists in last year’s competition. John Broderick’s side were first on the scoreboard when Alan Wallace slotted a penalty, with the out-half kicking six more points to leave his side 9-3 in front at the interval.
Wallace continued his good kicking form in the second half at St. Mary’s to extend that lead to 12-3, before openside flanker Ben Kilkenny scored the first try of the game after a powerful maul. However, Rockwell conjured an immediate response from the re-start, working their way up the pitch to score a try and draw themselves back to 17-10.
Munchin’s played an intelligent game thereafter though, adding a further penalty and a drop goal from Wallace to see out the victory.
Crescent College 21
Presentation Brothers College 21
These sides will have to replay their quarter-final clash on Sunday in Cork, following a thrilling 21-21 draw in Rosbrien. PBC scrum-half John Poland opened the scoring with three points from the tee after some early pressure from his pack, but it was Crescent who crossed the whitewash first as centre JJ O’Neill touched down.
Out-half Fionn McGibney converted from underneath the posts to give his side a 7-3 advantage. Poland added a second penalty for PBC in the 27th minute, before flanker David St Leger finished off Eoin Perry’s line-break to put Pres 13-7 in front at half time.
Poland kicked a third penalty immediately after the break, but Crescent began to control the game and scored tries through wing Calvin Nash and busy scrum-half Gary Fitzgerald, with McGibney converting both.
It appeared Crescent were set for the semi-finals, until PBC’s ambitious attacking play yielded a last-gasp try for winger Cian Collins. Poland had the chance to win the game for his side, but the conversion crept agonisingly wide, sending this tie to a replay.
Ardscoil Rís 22
Christian Brothers College 20
CBC got off to a perfect start in Dooradoyle this afternoon when back row Evan Mintern took advantage of a malfunctioning Ardscoil Rís line-out to score a try after just nine minutes. With scrum-half Jason Higgins converting, the Cork school found themselves 7-0 ahead against James Hickey’s heavily-fancied side.
Higgins extended that lead with a penalty shortly after, but Ardscoil fullback and captain Stephen Fitzgerald scored a magnificent try to bring his team back into the game. A 25th minute penalty from Higgins kept the scoreboard ticking over for CBC, but again the Limerick side had an answer as left wing Liam Brock dotted down to leave the game at 13-10 in CBC’s favour at half time.
10 minutes into the second half, things got even better for Peter Melia’s team, when flanker Dan Walsh scored a blockdown try, allowing Higgins to convert. However, Ardscoil refused to be beaten and tries for right wing Brion Moriarty and out-half David O’Mahony allowed them to finish 22-20 winners.
Leinster Schools Junior Cup [Quarter-finals]
Clongowes Wood College 3
Belvedere College SJ 29
Belvedere booked their place in the semis with a convincing victory over Clongowes at Donnybrook this afternoon.
Newbridge College 7
Terenure College 10
Yesterday, Terenure advanced to the last four as they narrowly overcame the challenge of Newbridge in Donnybrook.
The remaining two Leinster Junior Cup quarter-finals take place tomorrow afternoon:
- Blackrock v C.U.S. [Donnybrook, 3pm]
- St. Gerard’s v St. Michael’s [Templeville Road, 3pm]
