Last-Gasp Clancy Sends Castletroy Into Semis

Castletroy centre Paul Clancy scored a try in the last play of the game to send his side into the last four of the SEAT Munster Schools Junior Cup after a dramatic win over St. Munchin’s at Thomond Park.

St. Munchin's 21-26 Castletroy

Castletroy had led 14-0 and 21-7 but a brilliant St. Munchin's comeback was capped by a Shane Kelly try two minutes from time with Killian Markham showing nerves of steel to convert and level the scores.

It looked like the tie would go to a replay at that point but Castletroy recovered to show great composure and create an overlap on the left wing with Clancy crossing for the winning score to spark wild celebrations among the Castletroy supporters.

Castletroy raced into a 14-0 lead after just 13 minutes with Mike Ryan and Darragh Cullimore tries converted by David Moloney.

Munchin's rallied with Mark O'Driscoll crossing for their first try and Markham converting to narrow the gap to seven at the interval.

Conor Bermingham crossed for a third Castletroy try with Moloney adding the conversion as the scoreboard moved to 21-7 after 36 minutes.

Munchin's showed incredible battling spirit to come back in the game and took advantage of Castletroy indiscipline that saw two players sent to the sin-bin.

First, Ben Shanahan crossed in the left corner on 48 minutes after a brilliant Shane Kelly pass with Markham's superb conversion narrowing the gap to seven and setting up a grandstand finish.

The comeback was complete 10 minutes later when Kelly crossed and Markham added his third conversion to level the tie 21 apiece as the Munchins' fans turned the volume up to 11.

Castletroy had the last laugh, however, as Clancy crossed in the final play to break St. Munchin's hearts.

St Munchin’s College: Conall Broderick; Korey Browne, Jordan Curry, Jazz Pendejito, Shane Murphy; Killian Markham, Evan Maher; Mark O'Driscoll, Shane Ryan, Mark Crowe; Alex Casey, Paddy Kelly; Ben Shanahan, Jake Murphy, Shane Kelly

Replacements: Kelvin McInerney, Evan Kelly, Sean Naughton, Ryan Duggan, Evan Sheehan O'Donnelle, Adam Lyons, Thomas Harrington

Castletroy College: David Moloney; Ian McCarthy, Conor Cosgrave, Paul Clancy, Eoin Murphy; Michael Kitt, Conor Lyons; Ronan Keaveney, Mike Ryan, Adam Myers, Darragh Cullimore, Sean Devitt; Eoin O’Shea, Conor Bermingham, Darragh McCrann.

Replacements: Jeff Hogan, Mohammed Danyal, Philip Hickey Cross, Sean Mulkern, Sam Burns, Cathal Carew, Michael O’Sullivan, Cathal Humphries, Kristan Langod.