Report | Bandon Overcome Ennis To Claim Munster U16 Cup

Bandon RFC lifted the Bank of Ireland Munster U16 Cup with a 19-10 victory over Ennis RFC in the final of the competition at Irish Independent Park this afternoon.

It was Ennis who took the lead with a well-worked try after both clubs looked to settle early nerves.

Killian O’Connor made several dents in the Bandon defence before providing an audacious pass out the back to put Evan Wood through in the right corner.

The winger showed great strength to power over after 15 minutes.

Bandon then responded with a break through the middle from centre Richard Murphy, which set the pace for an attack from the West Cork club.

Moments later, Bandon’s Jeff Williams came close before Jay C Van Der Westhuizen made yards but it was flanker Brendan Twohig who ran an impressive line to crash over in the 22^nd minute.

Half-time: Bandon RFC 5-5 Ennis RFC

The Ennis centre pairing, Adam Hogan and Jarlath Collins, impressed in the second-half with several carries in midfield.

Bandon second-row Tom Donegan took a ball clean off the line-out in the Ennis 22 before charging towards the line.

Twohig then took the ball from close range to power over for his second of the match before Williams added the extras in the 51^st minute to go ahead by a converted score.

Bandon made significant ground through centre Jonathan Kenneally who struck a darting break to find winger Tom Desmond before Ennis reclaimed possession following an eventual knock-on.

Twohig secured his hat-trick after charging down an effort from scrum-half John Connaughton to go over right of the posts and extend Bandon’s lead.

Williams stepped up to convert in the 56^th minute.

Ennis centre Jarlath Collins made a terrific break down the left flank in the closing stages before the Clare club scored a consolation try through O’Connor.

The Number 8 taking off from the base of the scrum to score a well-deserved solo effort in the final minute.

Full-time: Bandon RFC 19-10 Ennis RFC

Bank of Ireland Munster U16 Cup | Bandon RFC v Ennis RFC

Bandon U16: Jacob O’Driscoll; Tom Desmond, Jonathan Kenneally, Richard Murphy, Conor Ustianowski; Jeff Williams, Dylan Barr; Ferdia Gibbons, Conor Egan, Cillian Lynch, Daniel McGarvey, Tom Donegan, Brendan Twohig, Jay C Van Der Westhuizen, Robert McCarthy. Replacements: Mark O’Shea, Conor Manning, Matthew O’Dwyer, David O’Dwyer, Shane Hathaway, Nathan Byrne, James O’Sullivan, Mark Collins.

Ennis U16: Nicki Hardiman; Evan Wood, Jarlath Collins, Adam Hogan, Samuel Browne; Callum Byrne, John Connaughton; Noel McGrath, Charity Omorodion, Seyi Olanrewaju, James Lyne, Matthew McNamara, Jack Scahill, David Utuke, Killian O’Connor. Replacements: Calum Barrett, Osgar O’Gormain, Oluwamayomikun Omoniwa, Joe Boyle, Omar Erdim, Killian Fawl, Samuel Costelloe, Connor Cleland.

Referee: Tomas O’Sullivan (MAR)