Glenstal Shock Holders In Schools Senior Cup

Glenstal Abbey will face Rockwell College in the semi-finals of the SEAT Munster Schools Senior Cup after a deserved 6-3 win over defending champions Crescent Comprehensive at Thomond Park.

Crescent College 3-6 Glenstal Abbey

by Matthew Callan

It was a chilly day but the game brimmed with excitement. The venue was Thomond Park. It was the quarter final between Crescent Comprehensive College and Glenstal Abbey School. People had chosen Crescent as favourites for the match but Glenstal were not to be underestimated.

Crescent had won their first round game against PBC and Glenstal had been defeated by Castletroy College. So, the odds were against Glenstal. It was going to take a superhuman effort from Glenstal to restore its pride on the rugby pitch.

It was a slow enough start from both sides but the chanting from the Glenstal fans was exceptional and the noise they made had to be heard to be believed. Glenstal got on the score sheet first with a Jack Stafford penalty. He has been outstanding so far in this tournament.

Glenstal had a disallowed try because it was adjudged by the assistant referee that a kick through from Tim Costigan had accidentally hit a Glenstal player. Jamie McAleese gathered and was tackled on the line. The ball was spread wide and finished by Seán O’Sullivan. It was such a pity Glenstal deserved the score after a long period of pressure in the Crescent half.

Crescent hit back in the second half with an outstanding drop goal from their out-half Dylan Sheehan. He scored from the Glenstal 10 metre line. The ball sailed over and had a few metres to spare. The Glenstal fans could not help but applaud him for such a fantastic kick that Rob Kearney would have been proud of.

Although there was only one more score in the second half, which went the way of Glenstal, the game was thoroughly entertaining. The penalty came yet again from the boot of Jack Stafford. Time and again Glenstal pressed the solid Crescent defence.

It would be wrong to single out any one Glenstal player for special recognition because every one of them was exceptional. Many played their best games of the year. It was fantastic to watch and to be a part of the whole occasion in the cradle of Munster Rugby in Limerick, Thomond Park.

The supporters and the players seemed as one throughout the game and it was fitting that after the game the players came to join in with the supporters. It was one of those days when everybody associated with Glenstal Abbey School was proud.

The semi-final will be against Rockwell with a date and venue to be announced.