Clement’s Break Bheanntraí Hearts

St Clement’s became the last side to qualify for the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup after a dramatic 17-13 win over Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí on Wednesday afternoon at Irish Independent Park.

The Bantry school led 13-12 with time up on the clock but Clement's broke away in the last play of the game with James Neville touching down the game-winning try.

In the final Junior Cup qualifier, Clement's also recorded a win with their 36-5 victory over Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí's junior team making it a double for the Limerick school.

Clement's Coach Shane Mullally was delighted to come out on the right side of a very close encounter in a Senior Cup decider that could have gone either way.

"It was great to come away with the win in such dramatic style," said Mullally afterwards. "I think the win will still stand to the boys as they showed great character to respond in the last few minutes.

"It's a massive achievement to be back in the first round proper after getting there last year as well. It builds on the work done in the school at junior and senior level. We are delighted for the boys. They get to show themselves at the highest level again this year. Hopefully we can build on where we were last year."

It was a remarkable achievement by the students and coaches of Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí to get so far in the competition as they only started playing rugby in 2011.

Munster Community Rugby Officer Eugene McCarthy spearheaded the introduction of rugby into the school and two of his sons, Tadhg and Paudie, were among the Bantry XV on Wednesday.

“They came so close to winning and hopefully the experience will stand to them,” McCarthy said.

“They only started playing rugby in the school in 2011 when they were part of Munster Rugby’s Emerging Schools initiative that brings the sport to non-rugby playing schools.

“It’s a huge achievement. At the moment you couldn’t console them but they will look back at it and realise how well they have done.”

The draw for the first round of the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior and Junior Cup took place after the final qualifiers with St Clement's drawn away to Glenstal Abbey.

View the best pics from the qualifier and a short video of the draw here.