CBC advance to junior schools cup final after narrow one point win over Ardscoil Ris
Seán Fitzpatrick, CBC celebrates his sides only try with Riain O'Farrell and Dave O'Connell during their 8-7 victory over Ardscoil Rís in the Munster Schools Junior Cup semi-final at Virgin Media Park, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan
Christian Brothers College booked their place in this year’s Munster Schools Junior Cup Final after a narrow victory in a thrilling semi-final over an unlucky Ardscoil Rís side,that battled to the finish at Virgin Media Park on Tuesday afternoon.
Both sides had their periods of dominance, but an excellent bench proved crucial in the Cork side’s win.
It was Ardscoil who applied the early pressure with Tom Maher and Leo Carman being prominent in the early forward exchanges.
Dylan Quirke and Oisin Healy were also posing problems with ball in hand.
Christians full back Eamon O’Sullivan was rock steady under the high ball and was also quick to lead the counterattack.
The deadlock was broken in the ninth minute when a break by Carman, was carried on by Quirke who off loaded to Najim Jagana to score and Jack Thorne converted for a 7-0 lead for Ardscoil.
Christians were having line out issues and were failing to stamp their authority on the game.
Eventually Christians began to settle into the game but despite dominating possession were unable to capitalise on the chances they created close to the Ardscoil line.
Michael Quill was causing big problems as Christians mounted a series of pick and go close to the Ardscoil line.
Just on the stroke of halftime Eamon O’Sullivan kicked a penalty for Christians to leave the Limerick side leading 7-3 at the interval.
The second half saw the Cork school continue to press home their forward domination and were eventually rewarded with a try in the 39th minute when Seán Fitzpatrick touched down after being played in by Rian O’Farrell. O’Sullivan’s conversion went wide of the target.
Back came Ardscoil and after a series of drives close to the Christians line, Alex Higgins was held up, after a series of drives by Paul Oyedeji.
The Limerick side continued to seek out a score but a solid Christians defence in which Donal O’Connor was outstanding held firm.
Despite having a player in the sin bin Ardscoil tried to run the ball but time ran out.
S Fitzpatrick try, E O’Sullivan pen,
N Jagana try, J Thorne con
E O Sullivan; R Cullinane, M O'Leary, J Martin, T Nixon; D Barry, D O'Connell; S Fitzpatrick, A Coakley, M Murray; H McCarthy, J Neville; S Healy, M Quill, R O’Farrell.
D Lynch, A Carroll, C Newcombe, A McDonald, B McGinn, J Dineen, D Twomey, C Walsh, D O'Connell, D O’Connor.
N Jagana; O Healy, D Quirke, R McCormack, D Curran; J Thorne, L O'Flanagan; D Geaney, P Oyedeji, T Maher; C O Doherty, B O'Loughlin; M Glennon, B Morrissey, L Carman.
S Golden, T McNamara, A Higgins, C O'Dwyer, E Hillery, P Gleeson, C Cronin, J Bell, G Barry, C Carey.
J Moynihan (MAR).
App?
