Report | Skibbereen Take Munster U18 Cup Spoils With Win Over Cobh Pirates

Skibbereen RFC edged out Cobh Pirates 8-3 in the Bank of Ireland Munster U18 Cup final at Irish Independent Park this evening.

Skibbereen out-half Jamie Shanahan missed an early penalty opportunity following the West Cork club’s domination in the opening minutes.

Cobh began to build momentum with several attacking spells, however errors in the close quarters led to loose ball and Skibbereen took advantage.

Shanahan impressed with the boot when pinning Cobh back in their 22 and the Pirates’ defence held strong.

Cobh flanker Patrick Cronin made hard yards with several carries but it was Skibb centre, Jordi O’Brien, who made a significant break with quick footwork causing the Pirates’ defence some trouble.

Half-time: Cobh Pirates RFC 0-0 Skibbereen RFC

Replacement Darren Daly was extremely close to going over in the left corner after the break and following a brilliant move, which unleashed the Skibb back-line.

A penalty from Shanahan put the first points on the board in the 55^th minute as Skibbereen took the lead.

Minutes later, Cobh drew level with a three-point conversion of their own, captain and scrum-half Cian Lynch slotting an opportunity in front of the posts.

Skibb’s Gavin Foley carried through the middle before Skibbereen gathered momentum metres from the line.

The ball was spun wide by Shanahan to find O’Brien who located space to race over and score the match-winning try with 62 minutes on the clock.

Cobh continued to pressurise but it was Skibbeereen’s day as they held on to run out winners in the all-Cork final.

Full-time: Cobh Pirates 3-8 Skibbereen RFC

Munster U18 Cup | Cobh Pirates RFC v Skibbereen RFC

Cobh Pirates U18: Charlie Kelleher; Ray Keating, Josh Crone, Leo Daly, Emeka Asiegbu; Alex Mulligan, Cian Lynch (C); Liam Devlin-Buckley, Jack O’Sullivan, Darragh McCarthy, Jack Gilmartin, Edwin Edogbo, Sam Baricaua, Patrick Cronin, Jack O’Sullivan. Replacements: Kevin O’Reily, Cathal O’Deaghaidh, Jamie Bates, Stewart Lynch, Cian Ahern, Robert Mannix, Cian Walker, Josh McKevitt.

Skibbereen U18: Matthew Sheehan; Liam Hodnett, Jordi O’Brien, Gavin Foley, David Regan; Jamie Shanahan, Killian O’Sullivan; Joseph Griffiths, Euan O’Donovan, Daniel Cullinane, Jack O’Sullivan, Oisin Lucey, Jamie O’Driscoll (C), Jonathan Benn, Michael Veale. Replacements: Adam O’Regan, Jason Murphy, John O’Driscoll, Asa Curran, Brian Stoutt, Sam Farthing, Darren Daly, Keith Whelton.

Referee: David O’Riordan (MAR)