Glenstal Abbey Survive Stormy Start to Junior Cup

In the only tie in the Avonmore Schools Junior Cup not to fall foul of the weather Glenstal Abbey were deserved winners in a closely contested match in windy but otherwise good playing conditions at Clanwilliam.

Glenstal Abbey School 10, Rockwell 3

Glenstal playing with the wind advantage opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a penalty from out-half Luke Bradley from in front of the posts. Despite sustained pressure as half-time approached Glenstal were unable to breach the resolute Rockwell defence, leaving the half-time score 3-0 to the Murroe side.

Rockwell spent most of the 2nd period in the Glenstal half, so it was against the run of play when Glenstal made a rare venture into the Rockwell 22 and after some good play from captain Ian McCarthy, out half Bradley put winger Stephen O’Leary in to score in the corner from 5m. Bradley added a difficult conversion to extend the lead to 10-0 on 45 minutes.

Rockwell responded with a penalty from out half Colman Kennedy on 50 minutes to reduce the margin to 7 points. Knowing that a converted try would be required to force extra time Rockwell ran everything from that point on, with scrum-half TJ Ryan always a threat. Glenstal despite being reduced to 14 with sin-binning of hooker Cal McCarthy on 57 minutes soaked up the pressure with centre Rob Shanahan making some crucial tackles.

Glenstal will now play the losers of the Crescent v CBC match, with Rockwell meeting the winners of St Munchins v PBC in 2 weeks time.

Referee: Bryan White (MAR)