Schools Senior Cup Final Line Up Decided

Christian Brothers College will play Castletroy College in the final of the Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup on St. Patrick’s Day after the Cork side got the better of Glenstal Abbey School on a scoreline of 18-12 at Clanwilliam on Sunday.

2007/8 Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup

Semi Final

Glenstal Abbey School 12-18 Christian Brothers College

Christian Brothers College’s campaign to recapture the Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup title for the first time since 2003 remains on course after they saw off the challenge of a determined Glenstal Abbey School side in front of a large crowd at Clanwilliam on Sunday.

With a strong wind having an influence on proceedings, Glenstal played with the wind in the first half, and used it to full advantage. Their first kick of the game brought them close to CBC’s try line, and after an offside offence Glenstal outhalf Michael O’Flynn opened the scoring after three minutes with three points from a penalty kick. Two minutes later he slotted over his second penalty with ease. Christian Brothers responded with a brilliant set play resulting in their captain, Brian O’Callaghan, scoring a try in the 9th minute. However, kicking against a strong wind, Odhran Mulrooney’s conversion didn’t find its target. Glenstal came close to breaching the CBC defence from a scrum close to the line, however, a knock on relieved the pressure on the Cork side for a time, before Glenstal recovered possession and an opportunistic attempt at goal by scrum half Jamie Hunt went just wide. After 21 minutes CBC had to do without the services of their full back Odhran Mulrooney while he spent a spell in the sin bin. From the ensuing penalty, O’Flynn added on another three points to his tally, leaving the score 9-5 in Glenstal’s favour. CBC regrouped and made a break for a try, but had to compete against the wind and a tough Glenstal defence. A penalty kick from CBC outhalf Patrick Parfrey didn’t find touch the first time, but a second chance in the 23rd minute was inch perfect and landed next to the corner flag for a 5 yard line out. CBC won the line out and seemed destined to get the try, but Glenstal’s defence held up long enough for the referee to blow his whistle for half time. At the break, Glenstal led 9-5.

Playing with the wind in the second half, CBC started the half with intent. With a cruel knock on denying a certain try for CBC after just two minutes of play, it signaled an increase in pressure from the Cork side. Four minutes into the half, CBC full back Odhran Mulrooney converted a penalty, putting just a point between the sides. Great vision from out half Patrick Parfrey saw CBC take an 11-9 lead after a superb drop goal after 50 minutes of play. Despite CBC holding onto possession for long periods in Glenstal’s half, Glenstal’s defence held firm, however losing flanker Eoin Grennan to the sin bin in the 55th minute did not help their cause. CBC winger Darren Loftus looked threatening just before the hour mark with a superb run, however some great defending from Michael O’Flynn saw him tackled into touch just before the line. A second try did eventually come from CBC, with Odhran Mulrooney breaching the Glenstal defence after 60 minutes, converting it himself to put CBC 19-9 in front. Three minutes later Glenstal clawed back three points after a terrific run by Glenstal replacement centre Ross Ferrera pushed close to the line and he won a penalty for his side which an on form O’Flynn dually converted. In the final stages of the game Glenstal held onto possession and with only four points separating the sides made a determined push for the line. Despite a piercing run by winger Ray Fullam, they were unable to get through the CBC defence and the ball was turned over. There were great performances all over the pitch from both sides, with Glenstal’s Michael O’Flynn proving a super prospect, and a determined pack putting it up to a physically stronger CBC side. For CBC, captain Brian O’Callaghan led by example and winger Darren Loftus showing plenty of pace.

The pinnacle of this year’s Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup takes place on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, with Christian Brothers College traveling to Limerick to play Castletroy College, who will be competing in their first ever Munster Schools Senior Cup Final.

Glenstal Abbey School
15. Ben Bradley, 14. Ray Fullam, 13. Finbar Kearney, 12. Cathal Hughes (Captain), 11. Dan Costello, 10. Michael O?Flynn, 9. Jamie Hunt, 1. Duncan Casey, 2. JJ Clark, 3. Peter Lynch, 4. Dan Heffernan, 5. Chris O?Connor, 6. Eoin Grennan, 7. Brian Costigan, 8. Theo Lambton
Replacements: Rory Madden for O?Connor (15), Paul Mullin for Lynch (37), Ross Ferrara for Kearney (53), Sam Holt for Hunt (55)

Coaches: Paul McMahon/Patrick Collins
Conditioning: Greg Ashe
Manager: Denis Hooper

Christian Brothers College
15. Odhran Mulrooney, 14. Darren Loftus, 13. Joe Holland, 12. Billy O?Regan, 11. Brian O?Leary, 10. Patrick Parfrey, 9. Daryl Foley, 1. Chris Corkery, 2. Kieran Stokes, 3. Jack Bransfield, 4. James Mulcahy, 5. Kyle O’Dwyer, 6. Johnny Crowley, .7 Willy Ryan, 8. Brian O’Callaghan (Captain)
Replacements: Brian Hayes for Crowley (59)

Coaches: Pat Langtry, Terry Kingston, Peter Melia, Alan Hickey

Referee: Leo Colgan (MAR)
Touch Judge 1: John Lacey (MAR)
Touch Judge 2: Padraig Keogh (MAR)
Fourth Official: James Kissane (MAR)