Ard Scoil Ris take Junior Cup Title

Ard Scoil Ris defeated P.B.C by 6 points to 3 to take the Coca Cola Munster Schools Junior Cup title at Thomond Park.

Ard Scoil Ris defeated P.B.C by 6 points to 3 to take the Coca Cola Munster Schools Junior Cup title at Thomond Park.

A great feast of entertaining, flowing football was produced before a colourful and lively attendance. This game marked the clash of the new, emerging strong schools like Ard Scoil Ris going for its first ever cup win and the traditional, many times winner of the Junior Cup, P.B.C.

Ard Scoil Ris took the game to their visiting opponents early in the game through a series of determined forward surges. The resilient defence of the strong and talented PBC kept Ard Scoil at bay. Despite being kept territorially within their own half, PBC looked very threatening once an attacking move started and often made gains of 50 and 60 metres on the offensive. The defence of Ard Scoil was effective in holding back some promising attacks.

The game was characterised by some excellent handling, pin point kicking and sharp tackling. Thus, its continuity made it a very appealing spectacle regardless as to who was attacking. So much so that during the whole course of the first half, there was not one penalty kick attempt at goal.

The sides went in at halftime on a 0-0 scoreline. But what an entertaining half. And more was to come. The determination of both sides to edge out the other was driving play in the second half. It was only on 45 minutes did the first score come from a penalty kicked by full back, Declan O’Rahilly. This only served to galvinise PBC who threw their strength and skill at the composed and assertive Ard Scoil. Another penalty a few minutes later made it 6-0 to Ard Scoil, again scored by Declan O’Rahilly. PBC threw all their might and looked like going over the line twice but on each occasion the strong defensive tackling of Ard Scoil saved the day but at the expense of a penalty to give PBC every chance to go for it in the last ten minutes. This was scored by their winger, Eoin Cotter. A narrow lead, 6-3.

With tension rising and positive play continually on display from both sides, this last nail biting ten minutes served up the drama of a novel as the grit of Ard Scoil held at bay the relentless attacks of a well drilled Cork side. The final whistle couldn’t come quick enough for estatic Ard Scoil Ris supported who swarmed onto the pitch for a memorable first time ever win of the Coca Cola Munster Schools Junior Cup. Spare a thought for the talented and positive play of a strong PBC side who duly praised the efforts of the winning Ard Scoil Ris side.

Coca Cola Munster Schools Junior Cup Final:

Final Score: Ard Scoil Ris 6 – P.B.C 3

Ard Scoil Ris:

D. O’Rahilly, R. Ryan, R. Brock, P. Corrigan, M. Cosgrove, G. Murphy, K. Payne, M. Sherry, S. Hogan, B. Rowley, S. Daly, C. Phelan, J. Keogh, D. Horan, and A. Qulligan (Captain). Replacement: R. Haugh for S. Hogan.

PBC:

S. Costigan, E. Cotter, B. Dennehy, S. Deasy, T. Kenneally, J. Power, P. Hogan, S. Malone (Captain), R. Love, J. Crotty, R. MacCarthy, T. Hennebry, O. Cummins, R. Owens, and R. Allen.

Referee: Mr. P. Roche, MAR.