Rockwell College 13 St Munchin's 6:Steve McMahon was the toast of Rockwell after his try three minutes into stoppage time earned his side a place in the Munster Schools Cup final in a dramatic manner at Clanwilliam yesterday.

It was heartbreak for St Munchin’s who last year lost by a single point to Rockwell in the final. It is 52 years since Rockwell completed the three-in-a-row and two of their players, Sonny Dwyer and Neville Flynn, will pick up their third medals should they win the final in Cork.

The sides were level at 3-3 at the interval, Rory Parata’s late penalty for Rockwell cancelling out Shane Airey’s early effort for St Munchin’s.

St Munchin’s suffered a blow when they had a forward sinbinned a few minutes after the resumption. For their part Rockwell lost their talented scrumhalf Ben Reilly after 12 minutes and David O’Mahony moved in from the wing to the base of the scrum.

Parata kicked Rockwell 6-3 in front but Airey again levelled and a draw looked likely as stoppage time beckoned.

Then came McMahon’s superb try following a fine move and the outstanding Parata landed the conversion. McMahon was man of the match, with Parata and O’Mahony also doing well behind a pack in which Sonny Dwyer and Aidan Butler shone. Outhalf Airey, centre Dan Goggin and forwards Ben Kilkenny and Lee Nicholas impressed for St Munchin’s.