Semi Finals

Castletroy College 15-7 Christian Brothers College
Crescent College Comprehensive 12-13 Presentation Brothers College

The finalists in this years Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Junior Cup are now known, after two pulsating semi finals in Limerick on Wednesday.  At Old Crescent, a resilient Castletroy College booked their place in the final after a 15-7 win over Christian Brothers College, while at Garryowen, Presentation Brothers College came back from being 12-3 down at half time to clinch a 13-12 win. 

At Rosbrien, Castletroy came out of the blocks with determination, setting an early trend by keeping play well inside the CBC half and seeking an early score.  It looked like they were going to get their dream start after just 5 minutes, when out half and Captain Neil Cronin made a great break up the middle of the pitch from the 22, evading a number of tacklers, only to be stopped and deemed to have knocked forward on the placing of the ball over the line.  It was a let off for CBC, who countered with some great attacking work by full back Darragh McNamara.  However, the let off was short lived as Castletroy continued to keep play inside the CBC half, with CBC trying to fight for scraps of possession.  Castletroy won a penalty ten metres out from the line after 20 minutes, and playing into a strong wind they decided on a quick tap penalty, spreading the ball to winger Stephen Doog who was bundled into touch by a vigilant CBC defence.  As half time approached, CBC looked to break the deadlock with some attacking runs, none more incisive as Captain Kevin Slaters 20 metre run towards the Castletroy line.  While he was stopped 10 metres out, CBC eventually won a penalty 5 metres from the line which was quickly taken.  The charge for the line didnt spill over and CBC sent the ball to their waiting backs.  Castletroy looked to be doing everything right- even driving back the waves of attack from CBC and turning the ball over.  However, replacement winger John McCarthy spotted his opportunity and beautifully intercepted a pass on the 22 to run in under the posts unopposed.  Darragh McNamara converted to give CBC a 7-0 lead at the break.

Playing with the wind in the second half, Castletroy again seemed determined to keep play inside the CBC half with some astute kicking by Andrew Fullen helping Castletroy to achieve this.  Full back Darren Nolan claimed Castletroys first points four minutes into the half with a penalty kicked from outside the 22 to give the Limerick side three points.  What surely was the turning point in the game was the introduction of substitute Enda Carroll at No. 8 eight minutes into the half.  His impact was immediate, showing great ball carrying skills and dynamism to force CBC to defend.  In the meantime CBC were reduced to 14 players after the sin binning of prop Kiefer OSullivan after 43 minutes.  With play disjointed during this period due to handling errors on both sides and injuries it was difficult for both sides to build phases.  Castletroy looked to press home their territorial advantage with a series of attacks that tested CBCs defence.  Carroll was again involved in a near try after 47 minutes only to be held up on the line.  Shortly after winger David Butler looked like scoring only to be pushed into touch within touching distance of the line.  Eventually, after 53 minutes and a long period of sustained pressure on CBC, Castletroys prop George Egleston finally found a way through the CBC defence with a try.  Fullen converted to put Castletroy 10-7 ahead.  Shortly after Enda Carroll crossed the line in a fantastic individual effort.  Chasing down his kick ahead after the ball became loose, he managed to put his hands on it and clocked up another 5 points for the Limerick side.  With the conversion missed, Castletroy led 15-7 with only moments to go, and despite CBCs best efforts to try to chase down the score, they were unable to catch Castletroy College. 

Castletroy College will face Presentation Brothers College on Wednesday next after the Cork side clinched a one point win over Crescent College Comprehensive down the road at Garryowen FC.  PBC looked like scoring early on after being awarded a penalty after 2 minutes which they chose to kick to touch for a line out.  After winning the lineout and spreading the ball some good defensive work by an alert Crescent College averted the early danger.  Six minutes into the game Crescent centre Paul OSullivan made a great break from deep in his own half only to be stopped in his tracks by his opposite number Chris Bannon close to PBCs 22.  PBC were awarded a penalty after 11 minutes which was taken by outhalf Eamon Mills, however his attempt didnt find its mark and the game remained scoreless.  However, 7 minutes later Mills boot was accurate with his second attempt at goal, giving PBC a 3-0 lead.  Crescent full back Brian Murphy had an opportunity to level the score three minutes later, however Murphys attempt was missed.  He made amends for the miss after 24 minutes after out running his opposition out wide from the PBC 22 to score the try, which he also converted to give Crescent a 7-3 lead.  Crescent finished the half the stronger, forcing PBC back on their line with the Cork side gallantly turning over on their line and averting danger with a clearance kick.  From the ensuing line out Crescent punished PBC by scoring their second try.  After 31 minutes of play back row Cormac OConnor crashed over, giving Crescent a 12-3 lead at the break. 

PBC came out of the blocks in the second half with increased determination and aggression, attacking the ball in a similar way that Crescent had in the first half.  PBC came close to the line early on in the half, but in a reversal of fortune Crescent turned it over on the line and kicked it clear.  PBC kept the pressure on Crescent for much of the half, with Crescent being denied space to manoeuvre.  Eamon Mills slotted over a penalty for PBC, bringing the scoreline to 12-6 in Crescents favour, and three minutes later full back Seamus Glyn touched down after a super run that started outside the Crescent 22, and finished under the posts after the young talent evaded numerous tackles to claim another three points for PBC.  Mills converted to put PBC 13-12 ahead as the clock counted down.  Despite a late scoring chance by Crescent which saw a forward pass thwart some great attacking play, it was PBC who led when the final whistle was blown, booking their place in next weeks final and on course to defend their title. 

Castletroy College
15. Darren Nolan, 14. Stephen Droog, 13. Greg Barrett, 12. Eoin Clancy, 11. David Butler, 10. Andrew Fullen, 9. Neil Cronin (Captain), 1. George Egleston, 2. Eoin Murphym 3. Tadgh OSullivan, 4. David OBrien, 5. Kelvin Reale, 6. Michael Dooley, 7. Conor Bonfil, 8. Conor Clancy
Replacements: Enda Carroll for OSullivan (38)
Not used: Daragh OBrien, Rowan Humphreys, John McDonnell, John Hourigan, Barry Neville, William Shanahan

Coaches: James Collins, Eamonn Mulcahy

Christian Brothers College
15. Darragh McNamara, 14. Andrew Joyce, 13. Kevin Slater (Captain), 12. Cian OHalloran, 11. Michael Ryan, 10. Brendan Monahan, 9. Charlie ORegan, 1. Charlie Slowey, 2. Mark Kennedy, 3. Kiefer OSullivan, 4. Robert ODowling, 5. Ciaran Keogh, 6. Conor Scannell, 7. Dean Nolan, 8. Dylan Stokes
Replacements: John McCarthy for Ryan (3)
Not used: J. Corbett, K. Moynihan, B. OConnell, P. Ryan, C. Barry, J. Cronin

Coaches: R. Foley, A. Hickey, K. Moynihan

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (MAR)
TJ1: Peter Roche (MAR)
TJ2: Brian White (MAR)
Fourth Official: Tom ODonoghue (MAR)

Crescent College Comprehensive
15. Brian Murphy, 14. Michael McElligott, 13. Diarmuid Dee, 12. Paul OSullivan, 11. David Culhane, 10. Larry Hanly, 9. Ronan ODoherty, 1. Niall Horan, 2. Ruairi Kavanagh, 3. Conor OBrien, 4. Shane Stanley, 5. Jack Donovan (Captain), 6. Cormac OConnor, 7. Padraic Ryan, 8. Sean Monaghan
Replacements: (not used) 16. Jack Murray, 17. David Long, 18. Cian Ryan, 19. Sam ORourke, 20. Greg Barry, 21. Alex Shaw, 22. Briain Curtin

Coaches: John Gavin, Richard Leonard, Anthony ODwyer, Michael South
Medical Staff: Michelle Darcy, Dr. Eamon Kavanagh, Fintan Wallis

Presentation Brothers College
15. Seamus Glynn, 14. Michael OLeary, 13. Rory Cullinane, 12. Chris Bannon, 11. Brion OSullivan, 10. Eamon Mills, 9. Mathew Kelleher, 1. Brian Scott, 2. Dylan Malone, 3. Stephen Randles, 4. Greg OMahony, 5. Dave Hartnett, 6. Ryan Murphy (Captain), 7. Jack OCallaghan, 8. Adam Hudson
Replacements: Eoin Power for Malone (52), 19. Michael Russell for Kelleher (50) 20. Barry Fitzgerald for OCallaghan (39), 21. John Fitzgerald for Hartnett (39), 22. Steve Dinan for Bannon (39).  Not used Fergal Dineen, David Horgan.

Coaches: Peter Scott, Enda Ronan, Niall Murray, Brian OMeara, Richie Abbott

Referee: Seamus Flannery (MAR)
TJ1: Jude Quinn (MAR)
TJ2: Darragh OBriain (MAR)
Fourth Official: Gerry Clifford (MAR)

FIXTURES/RESULTS
Quarter Finals- Round One
Glenstal Abbey School 13-8 Rockwell College (aet)
Crescent College Comprehensive 3-12 Castletroy College
St. Munchins College 5-8 Presentation Brothers College
Christian Brothers College 17-7 Ardscoil Ris

Round Two
Presentation Brothers College 23-8 Ardscoil Ris
Glenstal Abbey School 7-22 Crescent College Comprehensive
Castletroy College 10-8 St. Munchins College
Christian Brothers College 15-0 Rockwell College

Semi Finals
Wed 5th March 2008
Crescent College Comprehensive 12-13 Presentation Brothers College
Castletroy College 15-7 Christian Brothers College

Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Junior Cup Final
Wednesday 12th March 2008