CBC junior schools rugby team prove too good for Castletroy College in quarter final tie

Castletroy College 5 

CBC 18 

Two tries from early replacement James Earle saw CBC advance to the Munster Schools Junior Cup semi-final with a 13-point win over Castletroy College at Thomond Park on Tuesday.

The eye-catching winger also came up with some excellent defensive work late on as the Sidney Hill school refused to allow their Limerick opponents any route back into this contest.

Christians will meet St Munchin’s in next week’s semi-final, while Rockwell College will face either PBC or Bandon Grammar School on the other side of the draw.

The visitors had to repel a strong Castletroy start with Christian Murphy leading the defensive effort against powerful carriers such as Conor Ryan and Jerry Prendergast.

Having weathered the storm, Christians capitalised on a handling error to win a scrum penalty and Harry Quinlan kicked them into the lead.

Winger Max O’Riordan had earlier provided the best attacking moment with a line break but after being forced off injured, it was Earle who got the breakthrough try in the 21st minute.

It began with hard hits from Daniel Field and Harry Loftus to force a knock-on. 

From another steady scrum, Seán Riordan was sent through a gap and the ball went through Hugh Downey’s hands to Earle.

It looked more likely the super sub would be forced into touch but he brilliantly finished to the corner. Quinlan’s touchline conversion was just wide.

Christians earned a second close-range penalty and this time chose to tap and go before knocking on.

They crossed the line again on half-time but Castletroy did well to hold up Loftus and keep the scoreline at 8-0.

Castletroy indiscipline allowed Quinlan to tack on three more points in the 39th minute. 

Quinlan had started the move with a clever quick-tap penalty before being stopped by a try-saving Rory O’Dwyer tackle. But some afters saw O’Dwyer cough up a tap-over penalty and sin-binned.

Castletroy responded courageously despite their numerical disadvantage.

From a penalty kicked to the corner, Oran Ryan claimed the line-out. Their advancing maul was pushed towards the touch but Aryan Brazyte managed to sneak down the line without being detected by Christians’ defence to dot down.

Danann Glynn narrowly missed the conversion to leave six in the difference.

The Cork school made it safe in the 50th minute. Rossa Kinirons made an electric break and his wonderful offload allowed Earle to dive over and Quinlan added the extras.

Scorers for Castletroy College: Try: A Brazyte. 

CBC: Tries: J Earle 2; Con: H Quinlan. Pens: H Quinlan 2.

CASTLETROY COLLEGE: R O’Dwyer; H Ferte, R Devine, J Prendergast, D Glynn; C Sheahan, C Brown; M Hickey (P Forde 30+3) (C McDermott 52), A Brazyte, J Walsh (M Hickey 47); K Bielecki (J Walsh 49), O Ryan; A O’Connor, C Hogan, C Ryan.

CBC: H Downey; M O’Riordan (J Earle 14), R Kinirons, S Lynch, S Riordan; H Quinlan, T Murphy (M Murphy 43); Christian Murphy, J Punch (D Caren 60), D Field; H Loftus (C Kelly 45), A Maher; L Carroll, C McCabe (M Keane 60), R McElwain.

Referee: J Purcell (MAR).