Munster Schools' Junior Cup Quarter-Finals: Two well struck Mike Madden first-half penalties saw St Munchin's College (Limerick) advance outright to the semi-finals of the Munster Schools' Junior Cup with a hard fought 6-0 victory over Christian Brothers College (Cork) at Tom Clifford Park in Limerick yesterday.
Madden fired over in the third and 15th minutes to seal victory. Graham Mackesy almost reduced the deficit for the visitors shortly after the break with a long-range penalty which flew narrowly wide.
CBC played out the final 10 minutes inside their opponents' half but could not breach a resolute St Munchin's defence. The campaign isn't over yet for CBC, however, who will now have to play Presentation Brothers College in the third round, with the winners due to face Rockwell College in the semi-final.
Castletroy overcame a tough challenge from Glenstal Abbey School, 15-12, at Thomond Park to keep their hopes alive. Trailing 15-0 at the start of the second half, Glenstal mounted a spectacular comeback to almost snatch the win.
Playing with the wind in the first half, Castletroy took their chances early on. First-half tries from openside flanker Mark Foley from a tap penalty after two minutes, and outhalf Peter Murray at 28 minutes, gave Castletroy a 10-0 lead at the break. Adding another try from man of the match Ian Moloney on 45 minutes, Castletroy's lead looked secure. However, Glenstal showed considerable character by coming back to within a score of Castletroy. First across the line after 51 minutes was centre Cathal Hughes, which captain Raymond Fullam converted, and scrumhalf Andy Ryan picked up their second try after 58 minutes.
Despite considerable pressure for the closing minutes, Castletroy's defence held firm, with stellar performances from Moloney, outhalf Peter Murray and Paul Dooley at secondrow. In the backs, full back Darren Moloney had a fine performance.
Despite some reshuffling in the Glenstal line-up this week due to the unavailability of flanker Rory Dunne and centre Ross Ferrera, Glenstal competed well in all areas.
Castletroy have earned themselves a third-round game against Crescent College Comprehensive on March 7th, with the winners to meet St Munchin's.
TEAMS
ST MUNCHIN'S COLLEGE: Sargent, Sherin, Kirby, Duggan, Healy, Madden, Kennedy, Burke cpt, O'Driscoll, Guerin, White (Peters h/t) O'Neill, Turner, O'Hanlon, Tobin.
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE: Corkery, Carroll, Altridge (O'Sullivan 35) Hayes, O'Gorman, Nagle, Barry, Ryan, Slater, Holland (Daly 40) Harrington, O'Leary, Dunne, Mackesy, Clane.
GLENSTAL ABBEY SCHOOL: Comerford, McGrath, Hughes, Fullam (captain), Doyle, O' Flynn, Ryan, Devin, Costigan, O'Callaghan, Cosgrove, Lewis, Casey, Holt, Clarke. Replacements: Lynch, Donahoe, Mungovan, O'Donnell, Costello, Heffernan, Casey.
CASTLETROY COLLEGE: Moroney, Conlon, 12. Bonsil, Clancy, Murphy, Hodkinson, Peter Murray, Kenny, O'Hanlon, O'Flynn, Moloney, Dooley, Quinlan, Nicholas, Foley, Hannon. Replacements: Barry for Hodkinson (25), Ahern for Kenny (50), O'Malley for Moloney (66).
