Reports | Bank of Ireland Munster Age-Grade Club Finals
8th April 2018 By The Editor
Sean Galvin with Jamie Shanahan and Daniel Duggan
The Bank of Ireland Munster Age-Grade Club finals took place at Thomond Park on Sunday. Bandon RFC lifted the Munster U16 Plate and U18 Cup, while Ennis claimed the Munster U16 Cup in what was a fantastic showcase of age-grade club rugby.
Munster U16 Plate Final
Bandon overcame Newcastle West / Estuary 29-17 in the Bank of Ireland Munster U16 Plate final to begin a fantastic day of age-grade club rugby at Thomond Park.
A total of seven tries were scored throughout the match, with both clubs producing an exciting display in Limerick.
It was Newcastle West / Estuary who claimed the first points on the board in the seventh minute, centre Jack Corkery darting through the middle from close range before Andrew Mortell added the extras.
Bandon then responded with a try from wing Jason Hayes in the left corner after the ball was moved along the line. Andrew O’Leary secured the conversion.
Minutes later, the West Cork side piled on the pressure in the 22 and came away with another score, Chrion Obialor barged over in the left corner.
Before the interval, Obialor bagged his second try of the match to extend Bandon’s lead, as O’Leary added a fantastic conversion from the right touchline.
Half-time: Bandon RFC 19-7 Newcastle West / Estuary RFC
After the break, Bandon claimed their fourth try with Alan Blair pushing past the Newcastle West / Estuary defence to score right of the posts, before O’Leary secured the points.
Newcastle West / Estuary then built momentum and through impressive work within the driving maul, Christopher O’Leary touched down in the 45th minute.
The West Limerick side edged closer to Bandon in the final stages, another try courtesy of centre Sean McMahon.
Bandon’s O’Leary landed a penalty with minutes to go, signalling an impressive final victory for his side.
Full-time: Bandon RFC 29-17 Newcastle West / Estuary RFC
Bandon: Donagh Galvin; Jason Hayes, Alan Blair, Ciaran Durkin, Chrion Obialor; Andrew O’Leary, Niall Burke; Carlos O’Mahony, Harry Golden, Jack Applebe, David Hall, Jack O’Mahoney, Andrew Guinevan, Robert McCarthy, David Collis.
Replacements: Conor Egan, Joshua Mahony, Ferdia Gibbons, Kieran Barry, Colman Crowley, Oisin O’Mahony.
Newcastle West / Estuary: Jack Kiely; Cormac Lyons, Sean McMahon, Jack Corkery, Eddie Murphy; Andrew Mortell, Ruadhan O’Connor; Bobby O’Donovan, Cormac Browne, David Walsh, E’ouenn Ferron, Christopher O’Riordan, Michael Cremin, Darragh Lyons, Conor Power.
Replacements: Bryan Mortell, Jordan Kirwan, Padraig Walsh, Jason Corbett, Aaron Heffernan, Kevin O’Connell, Jack Duggan, Oliver Flanagan.
Referee: T O’Sullivan.
Munster U16 Cup Final
Ennis claimed the Munster U16 Cup after defeating Cobh Pirates 21-12 in a thrilling final at Thomond Park.
It was Cobh who took an early lead after a sustained period of pressure. Flanker Conor McNamara showed power and pace to go over on the left while brushing off the defence in the 10th minute.
Moments later, Ennis fought back with an impressive run from centre Brian Crowley Hayes, who found space on the left and crossed to level with the Cork side.
Cobh began to build phases in the 22, mounting a considerable amount of pressure on the opposition, but it was when running the ball from deep they were most successful.
Wing Charlie Kelleher sprinted from over half-way to the last defender to score and send his side in front, before Cian Ahern added the extras.
Half-time: Cobh Pirates RFC 12-5 Ennis RFC
Ennis secured the first try of the second-half as Jason Downes caught the Cobh defence napping and picked up loose ball to power over and edge closer to the leaders in the 34th minute.
The impressive Conor Moloney then took a clever offload down the right wing to bag another try for Ennis in the 38th minute, the Number 8 showing great athleticism to reach the line.
The Clare side continued to dominate possession and were rewarded with a penalty opportunity from the 10 metre line, scrum-half Ethan Coughlin stepped up to extend Ennis’ lead in the 46th minute.
Minutes later, Coughlin nailed another penalty to send Ennis in front before a final valiant display from Cobh in attack brought play to a close.
Full-time: Cobh Pirates RFC 12-21 Ennis RFC
Cobh Pirates: Bailey Frahill/Jones; George Rasmussen, Phillipe O’Sulllivan, Kieran Devlin/Buckley, Charlie Kelleher; Cian Ahern, Saul Kahn; Jack O’Donnell, Josh Crone, Darragh McCarthy, Liam O’Flaherty, Jack Gilmartin, Conor McNamara; Patrick Cronin, Jack O’Sullivan.
Replacements: Jamie Manley, Oisin O’Donovan, David Meade, Conor Kidney, Cillian MacCoitir, Rory Pearse, Padraig Allen, Michael White.
Ennis: Colm Kearney; Jason Downes, Brian Crowley/Hayes, Seanie Keane, Sean McGrath; Tony Butler, Ethan Coughlin; Bence Benko, Joey Keane, Ryan Murphy, Brian Barry, Eoin Hahessy, Darragh O’Callaghan, Daniel Fogarty, Conor Moloney.
Replacements: Dean McInerney, Denis Vaughan, Eoin Cullinane, Hope Omorodion, Patrick Browne, Shane Punch, Tommy Garrihy, Ben Geraghty.
Referee: D O’Riordan.
Munster U18 Cup Final
Bandon produced another fine display in the Munster U18 Cup final to run out 15-13 winners over Skibbereen in a nail-biting contest between the two West Cork clubs.
However, it was Skibbereen who enjoyed the brighter of the two starts and who took the lead following a well-taken try from centre Matthew Bushe in the 10th minute.
Bandon’s Jack Crowley then landed a penalty minutes later to keep his side within touching distance, as the two sides remained close until the break.
Half-time: Bandon RFC 3-5 Skibbereen RFC
Skibbereen landed the first points of the second-half through an excellent penalty kick from out-half Jamie Shanahan in the 45th minute to edge further in front.
Bandon soon responded with an impressive team try, working the ball from right to left before eventually locating lock Ben Donegan who crashed over under the posts. Crowley added the conversion to go two points ahead.
Joe Crowley then secured a crucial score in the match, following some great play on the left wing, the Bandon full-back raced over the line in the 62nd minute.
Skibbereen soon gained vital possession in the 22 and it was Jordi O’Brien who found himself on the end of quality ball to race in for a try in the right corner with minutes left on the clock.
Shanahan stepped up for the conversion but the ball hit the crossbar, denying Skibbereen significant points.
Bandon maintained their composure to see out the match in what was a dramatic finish for both sides.
Full-time: Bandon RFC 15-13 Skibbereen RFC
Bandon: Joseph Crowley; Harry Hall, Sean Galvin, Eoghan Guinevan, Matthew Crowley; Jack Crowley, Ciaran Roberts; Conor Heaney, Alex O’Connor, James Collins/O’Brien, Conor Keogh, Ben Donegan, Tadgh Galvin, Joshua Brady, Padraig Galvin.
Replacements: Ronan Cremin, Mark Wilson/Fehilly, Frank Toner, Thomas Bryant, Johan van der Westhuizen, Sam Golden, Denis McCann.
Skibbereen: Darren Daly; Oisin Lucey, Matthew Bushe, Thomas Beare, Eoghan O’Neill; Jamie Shanahan, Gavin Foley; Daniel Duggan, Jamie O’Driscoll, Daniel Cullinane, Aidan Stout, Michael Maguire, Jonathan Benn, Lucas O’Connor, Michael Veale.
Replacements: Euan O’Donovan, Jason Murphy, John O’Driscoll, Jack O’Sullivan, Keith Whelton, Jordi O’Brien.
Referee: E Cross.
