Glenstal Beat St. Clement’s To Reach 1st Round

Glenstal Abbey have beaten St. Clement’s 16-5 in the final qualifier for the SEAT Munster Schools Senior Cup and will face Castletroy College in the first round on Tuesday, January 27.

St. Clement's started well but trailed to a fourth minute penalty by one of Glenstal's top performers, out-half Jack Stafford.

Glenstal Abbey slowly grew into the game and scored the all-important first try on 25 minutes from a rolling maul.

The touchline conversion was missed, however, and the score was 8-0 to Glenstal when the half-time whistle was blown by referee Joy Neville who became the first woman to take charge of a Schools Senior Cup game – more here.

The lead was increased within five minutes of the break through second-row forward Ben Clancy's try with the conversion hitting the crossbar as Glenstal moved into what looked an unassailable 13-0 lead.

Clement's fought back strongly, however, and Glenstal full-back Colm Hogan had to make a number of try-saving tackles to keep his side's line intact.

There was nothing Hogan could do to prevent Clements' first try on 47 minutes, though, as they mauled their way over to narrow the gap to eight points with 23 minutes remaining.

That was as good as it got for St. Clement's as a second Stafford penalty restored Glenstal Abbey's 11-point lead on 57 minutes and they managed to see out the remaining 13 minutes to seal their passage into a first round meeting with Castletroy.

SEAT Schools Senior Cup Fixtures:

Tuesday, January 27:
SEAT Schools Senior Cup First Round: Glenstal Abbey v Castletroy College , Rosbrien, 3pm;

Wednesday, January 28:
SEAT Schools Senior Cup First Round: Crescent College v CBC, Clifford Park, 3pm; St Munchin's College v Ardscoil Rís, Thomond Park, 2pm; PBC v Rockwell, Mardyke, 3pm

SEAT Schools Junior Cup Fixtures

Wednesday, January 21
SEAT Schools Junior Cup Qualifier: St. Clement's v Rockwell College, Clifford Park, 3pm;

Tuesday, February 3:
SEAT Schools Junior Cup First Round: PBC v Castletroy College, Mardyke, 3pm;

Wednesday, February 4:
SEAT Schools Junior Cup First Round: Crescent College v Glenstal Abbey, CCC Grounds, 2.30pm; St Munchin's College v Ardscoil Rís, Dooradoyle, 3.30pm; CBC v St Clement's/Rockwell College, Lansdowne CBC, 3pm