St Munchin’s Book Place In Schools Junior Cup Final

Holders St Munchin’s advanced to the final of the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Junior Cup as they saw off the gallant challenge of Castletroy College 21-15 in the first of the semi-finals at Thomond Park.

Early pressure by the holders was rewarded with a try by prop Gus Harrington after eight minutes and Cillian O’Connor converted.

Jack Oliver brought Castletroy back into the game with a penalty after 22 minutes but Munchin’s extended their lead with a try from Stephen Hayes which O’Connor converted for a 14-3 half-time lead.

With wind advantage in the second-half Munchin’s made it 21-3 with a well worked try after Liam Angermann and Josh Costello combined to send Ryan Naughton in under the posts and O’Connor added the extras.

Good work by the Castletroy pack was rewarded with a try from Reece Kelly and Oliver converted after 46 minutes.

Eight minutes from time Castletroy were awarded a penalty but opted for the scrum and it was game on as Harry Lynch scored a second try for Castletroy but in a nervy finish Munchin’s held out for victory.

Castletroy College: Stephen Kiely; Lee Morgan, Cillian O’Farrell, Aiden Walter, Adam Cummins; Gavin Rowsome, Jack Oliver; Adam Sands, Declan Aylward, Neil McLoughlin; Evan O’Connell, Oisin O’Shea; Rhys Whyte, Reece Kelly, Lee Burke.

Replacements: Conor Davies Molloy, Andrew Clinton, Oisin Toland, Lee Bennett, Jack Roche, Noel Clancy, Luke Heuston, Harry Lynch, Glen Ryan, Rory Collins.

St. Munchin’s: James O’Brien; Oisin Pepper, Joshua Costelloe, Liam Angermann, Ryan Naughton; Cillian O’Connor, Kieran Tracey; Mikolaj Imbierowski, Harry Bennis, Gus Harrington; Shane Hannan, Stephen Hayes; Shane Griffin, Kevin Rea, Konrad Jezierski.

Replacements: Conor O’Brien, Rhys Costello, Benjamin Dillon, Michael Kelly, Dean McNamara, Evan Moore, Gordon Wood, James Madden.

Referee: Paudie Sheehan (MAR).