Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup
13th February 2006 By Munster Rugby
St. Munchin’s College clinched the last semi final spot on Sunday with a 25-5 win over Rockwell College. They face Crescent College Comp.in the semi, with PBC and CBC facing off in the other semi.
St. Munchin s College 25-5 Rockwell College
The line up for this year s Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup semi finals has been decided, with St. Munchin s College clinching the last semi final place with a convincing 25-5 victory over Rockwell College on Sunday. The win has ensured a meeting with Crescent College Comprehensive in the semi final on March 1st in an all Limerick clash, while in the other half of the draw, defending champions Presentation Brothers College Cork will face old rivals and last year s beaten finalists Christian Brothers College Cork on March 5th.
Rockwell College got the better start, finding themselves deep inside St. Munchin s territory early on, and forcing St. Munchin s College to defend for the opening ten minutes. However, despite territorial advantage, Rockwell College were unable to pick up vital scores in the early stages, and the first points of the game were claimed by St. Munchin s after 19 minutes of play with a try from Ireland U19 Keith Earls, playing at outside centre, which he converted himself to put St. Munchin s College 7-0 ahead. Earls was a dynamic force throughout that game, who along with his centre partner of Eamon Broderick, proved a major thorn in the side of Rockwell College. Seven minutes later Earls was instrumental in setting up St. Munchin s second try, offloading to full back James O Dwyer who crossed the line, with Earls converting once again. However, Rockwell College fought back and claimed their first score on 34 minutes with a try from out half Eamonn Lane. Just when Rockwell looked like making inroads into the score line, a late injury time try from Tom Burke was a setback for Rockwell College, putting St. Munchin s College 19-5 ahead at half time. After the restart, Rockwell College fought hard for possession and continued to mount attacks, however, a solid St. Munchin s defence thwarted any initiatives. Keith Earls was on target in the 51st minute and 59th minute, kicking two penalties to complete the scoring and giving the 2004 champions a 25-5 victory, despite some determined work by the Tipperary side throughout the second half. For Rockwell, there were fine displays from Eoghan Grace, James Ryan, Eamonn Lane and captain Rory O Connor. St. Munchin s hooker Ger Slattery also had a fine performance, ever threatening in attack and making his presence felt throughout the game.
FIXTURES/RESULTS
AVONMORE MILK MUNSTER SCHOOLS SENIOR CUP
Senior Cup Quarter Finals
Wednesday 8th February: Presentation Brothers College 25-19 Glenstal Abbey School
Wednesday 8th February: Crescent College Comprehensive 11-10 Ard Scoil Ris
Thursday 9th February: Midleton College 0-29 Christian Brothers College
Sunday 12th February: St. Munchin s College 25-5 Rockwell College
Senior Cup Semi Finals All games at 3.00 p.m.
Wednesday 1st March: Crescent College Comprehensive v St. Munchin s College
Sunday 5th March: Presentation Brothers College v Christian Brothers College
ST. MUNCHIN S COLLEGE:
James O Dwyer, Jason Organ, Keith Earls, Eamonn Broderick, Gareth O Hanlon, Richard Mullane, Paul Rowley, David Hogan, Gerard Slattery, Tom Burke, Conor McNamara, John Griffin, Liam Og Murphy, James O Neill, Shane Hassett.
Replacements: Barry McNamara for Griffin (55), Daniel Grace for O Hanlon (69)
ROCKWELL COLLEGE:
Marcus O Driscoll, Conor McEvoy, Rory O Connor (c), Andrew Joyce, Paul Walsh, Eamonn Lane, Jeff Ruttle, Brendan Walsh, Stephen O Dwyer, Kevin Buckley, Ian Duffy, J.D. O Mahony, James Ryan, Ollie Langworth, Eoghan Grace.
Replacements: John O Kelly for O Dwyer, Michael Kelly for Ruttle, Willie Devane for Walsh (all 45), Jack O Dwyer for O Connor (62 inj), Niall O Sullivan for McEvoy (65)
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (MAR)
