Castletroy Claim A Glorious Double

Castletroy College created their own piece of history by winning their second Munster Schools title in the space of five days, claiming the glorious Schools Cup double on Monday with a 21-15 victory over Christian Brothers College.

2007/8 Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup Final

Castletroy College 21-15 Christian Brothers College

The large crowd that gathered at Garryowen FC were not disappointed as a new force in Munster Schools rugby was heralded in style as Castletroy took control from the outset and held onto their lead for the duration, despite a second half come back by Christian Brothers College. CBC suffered a massive blow just five minutes into the game, losing their captain Brian O’Callaghan and second row Kyle O’Dwyer to injury in the one incident. Castletroy had started well, and it had taken some keen defending by CBC close to the line to keep the Limerick side out, led by Diarmuid McCarthy at centre, full back Cormac Joyce Power, and scrum half Peter Murray. Unfortunately, a clash of heads resulted in CBC having to make the two changes early on, bringing Brian Hayes and Alec Joyce into the fray and forcing some positional changes in the back row. After play resumed, Castletroy kept up the momentum, showing plenty of inventiveness with a cross field kick from out half Domhnaill Byrne almost finding its man, winger Colm Dillon, however it was a let off for CBC when Dillon couldn’t control it, forcing the knock on. CBC were forced to spend much of the half on the back foot, as Castletroy kept play inside their half. Second row Daragh Frawley got the scoring underway with a seventeenth minute penalty kicked from close to the touchline. Three minutes later centre Diarmuid McCarthy showed fantastic pace and evasive skills with a superb try from 40 metres out. It was certainly a statement of intent from the Limerick side who looked content to run at CBC from all corners of the pitch. Frawley converted to put Castletroy 10-0 ahead. Castletroy pressed home their advantage after 25 minutes with a blistering run from winger Darren Moroney from well inside his own half brought play close to CBC’s 22. A sublime chip ahead from scrum half Peter Murray was touched down in the corner by Moroney, stretching their lead to 15-0. After 31 minutes Castletroy had the opportunity to stretch their lead with another penalty kick, however, this time Frawley didn’t find his mark. He was on target two minutes later however with an easy effort in front of the posts, putting them 18-0 ahead at half time approached. Despite feeding on scraps of possession, CBC did mount a comeback late in the half, with a good scoring chance after 38 minutes that saw the ball stretched wide with an overlap on the wing, however, the ball didn’t go to hand and CBC went into half time without having accumulated any points.

Christian Brothers College came into the second half determined to continue the resurgence begun late in the first half. Some excellent work by centre Billy O’Regan, full back Odhran Mulrooney and flanker Willie Ryan saw the Cork side bring play inside the Castletroy 22, and after 16 minutes of the second half Brian Hayes crossed the line to put their first points on the board after sustained pressure on the Castletroy line. Fifty seven minutes into the game, Frawley added another three points on the board after CBC were penalised for holding onto the ball on the ground, putting them 21-5 ahead. Despite a dogged defence from Castletroy, CBC mounted a comeback, putting themselves in better scoring positions and playing with more urgency. Odhran Mulrooney clawed back another three points after 65 minutes with a penalty, leaving the score 21-8 with minutes to go. With Castletroy reduced to 14 men after the sinbinning of scrum half Peter Murray after 68 minutes, CBC capitalised and came back to score a try just left of the posts, with scrum half Daryl Foley getting the touchdown two minutes later and Mulrooney adding the extras to bring CBC within a converted try of Castletroy. The score caused some worry amongst the Castletroy supporters, particularly when Frawley missed a penalty attempt with a minute to go that would have put them out of reach. The dying moments of the game proved nailbiting, with the ball changing hands numerous times and CBC frantically trying to score the converted try to win the game. Unfortunately for them, the scores proved elusive, and a jubilant Castletroy celebrated for the second time in a week, after playing just four Senior Cup matches in the school’s eight year history.

The Avonmore Super Hero Man of the Match, which was voted for by text by the supporters in the ground, was awarded to Castletroy centre Diarmuid McCarthy. He was presented with a €400 voucher for the Munster Rugby Store by Kieran O’Connor, Sponsorship Manager with Glanbia.

Castletroy College
15. Cormac Joyce Power, 14. Darren Moroney, 13. Kieran Clancy, 12. Diarmuid McCarthy, 11. Colm Dillon, 10. Domhnaill Byrne, 9. Peter Murray, 1. Cedric Laffan, 2. Padraig Hogan, 3. Stephen Murphy, 4. Paul Dooley (Captain), 5. Daragh Frawley, 6. Kevin Doyle, 7. Darragh Bonfil, 8. Eoin Sweeney
Replacements: 16. James Rael for Hogan (45), 17. David Quinlan for Laffan (49), 19. Mark Hanrahan for Bonfil (49), 20. Darragh Hannan for Doyle (65)
Not used: 18. Mark Foley, 21. Andrew Carey, 22. Colm Moran

Christian Brothers College
15. Odhran Mulrooney, 14. Darren Loftus, 13. Joe Holland, 12. Billy O’Regan, 11. Brian O’Leary, 10. Patrick Parfrey, 9. Daryl Foley, 1. Chris Corkery, 2. Kieran Stokes, 3. Jack Bransfield, 4. James Mulcahy, 5. Kyle O’Dwyer, 6. John Crowley, 7. Willie Ryan, 8. Brian O’Callaghan (Captain)
Replacements: 17. Alec Joyce for O’Callaghan (12), 19. Brian Hayes for O’Dwyer (12),
21. Darragh Dunne for O’Regan (55)
Not used: 16. Ger Finneran, 18. Richard Martin, 20. Brian Slater, 22. Brian Fleming

Referee: George Clancy (MAR)