Munster Schools Update

Schools PRO Maurcie Hartery reflects on last weeks competitive action across the province.

The Bowen Shield (U18) reached the final round of matches this week. With CBC and Castletroy confirmed for 1st and 2nd respectively and a number of other matches being irrelevant in the context of the final standings, only one match actually took place. St. Munchins College hosted Bandon Grammar in what was effectively a Quarter Final, with the winner joining the top two mentioned above and PBC in the semi final stage. It was Bandon Grammar who reached the semi final with an extremely close fought 15 – 13 win in Corbally. This means that the semi final pairings are CBC v PBC and Castletroy College v Bandon Grammar, with these games down for decision next week.

Colaiste Phobail Bheanntrai and Villiers clashed in Wilton in the Final of the B Section of the Bowen Shield. It was the west Cork side that claimed the silverware with a fantastic 30 – 15 win over the Limerick men. The game was a great advert for rugby, with both sides, playing open running rugby and attacking at every opportunity. First blood fell to Villiers to with their fullback and winger combining from a turnover inside their own half to score in the corner to lead 5 – 0. Bantry hit back with Paidi O’Sullivan scoring under the posts and converting to give Bantry a 7 – 5 lead. A purple patch by Bantry going through 20 phases saw Tadgh McCarthy squeeze in at the corner flag to extend the lead (12 – 5). With 10 mins to half time Villiers surged back with a converted try and penalty to lead 15 – 12 at the break. The second half brought a fresh wave of relentless attacks by Bantry, with Tony Harrington eventually getting over to put Bantry back in the lead 17 – 15. Villiers came back and were unlucky nil to get on the scoreboard from a penalty and numerous attacks. Paidi O’Sullivan then gave Bantry some breathing space with a penalty to leave the score 20 – 15 with 8 mins left. Villiers then had to force the issue a little and Bantry capitalised with Eoghan O’Shea scoring 2 great try’s in the corner one on full time to leave a final score 30 – 15. The scoreline flattered Bantry and was not a true reflection of a very tight game.

The King Cup (U16) got underway this week with three games in the first round. This is a straight knockout competition for “C” schools in the province. In the all Clare derby between Rice College and St. Caimin’s it was the Shannon side Caimin’s who came out on top with a double scores 24 – 12 win in Ennis.

The McCarthy Cup (U15) also reached the final round of the league phase. PBC completed a 100% league campaign without actually playing this week as they received a walkover from St. Clements. CBC joined their Cork rivals in the semi finals with a 10 – 0 victory over Ard Scoil Ris in Limerick. Crescent had a comprehensive 34 – 0 win over Bandon in Raheen, while Glenstal made it two victories in a row by defeating St. Munchins 34 – 5 in Co. Limerick. Rockwell made their trip into Limerick a worthwhile one with a 31 – 20 victory in Castletroy. The line up for the semi finals leaves two interesting ties with the unbeaten PBC hosting Rockwell and Crescent having home advantage over CBC.

In the B section of the McCarthy Cup, Rockwell completed a double over Castletroy with a 22 – 20 win and CBC received a walkover from Ard Scoil Ris.

In Senior challenge matches around the province, Ard Scoil Ris defeated Castletroy College 17 – 12 in UL. That makes it two losses in a row for Castletroy and Ard Scoil Ris avenge the defeat in the winner takes all final round of league matches in the Senior City Cup two weeks ago.

At Junior level, Glenstal beat Villiers 34 – 15 in Murroe, while Castletroy defeated Ard Scoil Ris 33 – 3 in Coonagh. On Saturday, there were 4 Munster v Leinster clashes. CBC travelled to Terenure for a double header. The “A” game, played on 4G, was a high scoring game with CBC emerging victorious 32 – 20. The “B” game was a lower scoring game with the sides unable to be separated in a 10 – 10 draw. St. Munchins hosted Belvedere for two games in Corbally. The Limerick City Cup Champions prevailed 6 – 0 in the “A” game, and fell to a 17 – 12 defeat in the “B” game.

The Senior and Junior Cup draws take place this Wednesday (25th November) in Thomond Park. Please watch for updates on the website and Twitter for information on this year’s draw.

Results:

Schools Bowen Shield:
St. Munchins 13 Bandon 15, Corbally;

Schools Bowen Shield B Final:
Colaiste Phobail Bheanntrai 30 Villiers 15, Wilton;

Schools King Cup:
Scoil Muire Gan Smal v Scoil Pol, Ballyanly; – No Result Received
Rice College 12 St. Caimin's 24, Ennis;
Ardscoil na Mara v Pobal Scoil na Trionoide, Ardscoil na Mara; – No Result Received

Schools McCarthy Cup A:
P.B.C v St. Clements, Wilton; – Walkover given to P.B.C.
Ard Scoil Rís 0 C.B.C. 10, Ard Scoil Rís;
Castletroy College 20 Rockwell 31, Castletroy;
Crescent College Comp. 34 Bandon Grammar 0, Crescent College Comp.;
Glenstal Abbey 34 St Munchin's 5, Glenstal;

Schools McCarthy Cup B:
Castletroy College 20 Rockwell 22, Castletroy;
Ard Scoil Ris v C.B.C., Ard Scoil Ris; – Walkover given to C.B.C.

Schools Senior Friendly:
Ard Scoil Rís 17 Castletroy College 12, UL;
Midleton College v P.B.C., Midleton; – No Result Received
Rockwell v High School CBS, Rockwell; – No Result Received

Schools Junior Friendly:
Ard Scoil Rís 3 Castletroy College 33, Coonagh;
Glenstal Abbey 36 Villiers 15, Glenstal;
Midleton College v P.B.C., Midleton; – No Result Received
Terenure College 20 CBC 32
Terenure College “B” 10 CBC “B” 10
St. Munchins College 6 Belvedere College 0
St. Munchins College “B” 12 Belvedere College “B” 17

Schools Under 15 Friendly:
P.B.C. v Midleton College, Wilton; – No Result Received

Schools Under 14 Friendly:
Castletroy College v Glenstal Abbey, Castletroy; – No Result Received
Castletroy College “B” v Glenstal Abbey “B”, Castletroy; – No Result Received
Midleton College v C.B.C., Midleton; – No Result Received
C.B.C. “B” v Midleton College “B”, Lansdowne; – No Result Received
P.B.C. v Ard Scoil Rís, Wilton; – No Result Received
P.B.C. “B” v Ard Scoil Rís “B”, Wilton; – No Result Received
Rockwell v Bandon Grammar, Rockwell; – Game Postponed due to Weather