Gallery: Historic west Cork schools rugby derby sees Bandon defeat Bantry
COLÁISTE Pobail Bheanntraí made history at Musgrave Park when they became the second west Cork side to play in the Clayton Hotel Munster Schools Junior Cup against local rivals Bandon Grammar School.
Victory went to the boys of Bandon but not after they were pushed all the way by a gallant Bantry side who were in this game for three-quarters of the contest.
Unlike last week’s contest in the Senior Cup when the B school were completely out-played, this time the boys from Bantry matched their opponents in all aspects of the game and if a bit of luck went their way either side of the half time whistle it could have been a different outcome.
Both sides were slow to settle down in the opening exchanges with both sides having their moments on top.
Bandon took the lead at the end of the first quarter when a great break by Shadrach Nnamani was carried on by Conor Miskella who powered his way over the line.
Three minutes later another burst by Nnamani saw him touch down and Dylan Hicks converted.
The never say die attitude by the Bantry boys saw them being rewarded with a try three minutes before the interval.
A sweeping back move saw Michael O’Donovan kick ahead and Daire Kingston won the race to touch down.
On the stroke of half time Bantry had a penalty but the kick rebounded off the upright and the up rushing Bantry forwards knocked on at the posts to leave Bandon 12-5 ahead.
The start of the second half had Bantry camped in the Bandon Grammar 22 but excellent defending by the Grammar side held them out.
In the final quarter Nnamani sent Mitchell Connolly in for a try from a line out and minutes later Nnamani scored his second try to close out the game.
S Nnamani 2 tries, C Miskella, M Connolly tries, D Hicks 1 con.
D Kingston try.
P Gaffney; B Spearman, A O’Reilly, P Symington, D Lynch; D hicks, D O’Driscoll; J O’Regan, M Connolly, M Laughlin McCann; R O’Callaghan, D Abat; S Nnamani, B Kingston, C Miskella.
Subs: H Forsey, A McCarthy, E Higgins, J O’Brien, G O’Tuama-Pascual, J D’Alton, J Kingston, C O’Sullivan, J L’Estrange, C Ryan.
O Wiseman; M O'Donovan, C O’Sullivan, D Kingston, J O'Sullivan; R Fitzgerald, P Cronin; D Cotter, D McSweeney, B Tooher; J O'Donoghue, F Barry; J Ward, C Murnane, L Mulhall.
L Kelleher, A Hurley, P O’Sullivan, T O’Sullivan, C O'Brien, R O'Shea, D O'Brien, C Lee, S Scully.
S Kierans (MAR).
