Munster Schools Cup Roundup

The Munster Schools Boys and Girls Cup competitions continued this week with fixtures in both the senior and junior categories.

Pinergy Munster Schools Girls Senior Cup

Colaiste Muire Cobh 5 - 64 Ursuline Thurles In the calm before the storm yesterday morning Colaiste Muire Cobh met the Ursulines Thurles in The Paddocks. It was a try fest for the girls from Tipperary as they crossed over a total of ten times with five taking place in the first half. But Colaiste Muire never strayed from the fight scoring their only try in the 36th minute. This was a first entry into the Pinergy Munster Schools Girls Senior Cup for both sides. It was a tough test with both sides putting up some fantastic performances. The Ursulines Thurles will now progress onwards into round two. [caption id="attachment_191029" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Colaiste Muire Cobh v Ursuline Thurles[/caption]

Munster Schools Girls Junior Cup

Intermediate School Killorglin 36 - 43 Ardscoil Muire The first Munster Schools Girls Junior Cup tie of the week kicked off Tuesday afternoon as Intermediate School Killorglin went toe-to-toe with Ardscoil Muire on the 4G in UL. It was a tight content with just seven points separating the sides at the final whistle. Ardscoil Muire will now go forward into the second round where they will meet Cork side Colaiste Choilm Ballincollig Coláiste na Sceilge 29 - 29 St. Mary's Secondary School (Mallow) In Tralee, Coláiste na Sceilge went up against St. Mary's Secondary School Mallow. Mallow got the scoring underway with back-to-back tries from winger Rachel Barrett. But Coláiste na Sceilge matched them with two tries of their own bringing the sides level at 12 all at half time. St. Mary's kicked off the second half scoring with a try from centre Eabha O'Neill. But Coláiste na Sceilge retaliated with three back-to-back tries putting a gap of 10 points between the sides. St. Mary's were not finished though as they scored a further two tries in the closing minutes of the game bringing the sides level at the final whistle. It was the Mallow side that secured the win due to the first try scored rule. They will now meet last year's winners Sacred Heart Clonakilty in the next round. [caption id="attachment_191026" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Coláiste na Sceilge v St. Mary's Secondary School (Mallow)[/caption] St. Colman's Midleton 5 - 34 Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig It was an all Cork affair in Sunday's Well where St. Colman's Midleton met Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig on Wednesday afternoon. A Munster Schools Girls Junior Cup debut was on the cards for both sides as they took the field in the January sunshine. It was the Ballincollig natives that took the victory 5-34 after a fantastic display of rugby. They will now go on to meet Ardscoil Muire in the next round of knock out action. [caption id="attachment_191027" align="alignnone" width="1024"] St Colmans Midleton v Colaiste Choilm Ballincollig[/caption] Presentation Tralee 30 - 39 Colaiste Muire Ennis Limerick was also the location for the meeting of Presentation Tralee and Colaiste Muire Ennis. It was another tightly contested game between the sides with the Banner natives coming out on top by just nine points. Colaiste Muire will now face 2023 winners St. Anne's Community College in the next round.

Munster Schools Boys Junior Cup

The Munster Schools Boys Junior Cup also kicked off this week with two fixtures going to the post in Thomond Park. Crescent College Comprehensive 15 - 14 Glenstal Abbey First up was the hotly anticipated clash between Crescent College Comprehensive and Glenstal Abbey. Crescent got scores on the board first with a penalty in the 15th minute from the boot of Eoghan Hogan. Glenstal fought back and a scored their first try of the game through second rower Dan Nicholas. It was a short lived lead for the Abbey as Crescent responded with a try of their own to bring the score to 10-7 just before the break. Crescent enhanced their advantage 10 minutes into the second half with Danny Fitzpatrick crashing over for their second try. Glenstal gave it one last shot with just five minutes left on the clock as Hugh McGuirk crossed over. Conal Rowan sent the conversion straight through the middle of the uprights. An agonisingly close defeat for Glenstal as just a single point separated the sides. Clonakilty Community College 26 - 22 Ardscoil Rís  The second game of the day in Thomond saw newcomers Clonakilty Community College clash with 2005 winners Ardscoil Rís. Ardscoil put their stamp on the game early on with back-to-back unconverted tries from Colin McNamara. But Clonakilty responded just before half time with a try from Joe Twomey. Daniel Donovan’s superb touchline conversion saw them end the have with the score line of 10-7 in Ardscoil’s favour. Ardscoil were first on the scoreboard after the break with Leo Carman getting their third try. But Clonakilty responded right back with Twomey crashing over once more. Ardscoil were in again as Gavin O’Brien crossed over in the 53rd minute. Clonakilty did not waiver though as they scored their third try through Ewan Knowles. There was still time for Clonakilty to cause a shock. And that they did when in the final play Joe Coleman dotted the ball down right in the corner, securing the win with a four point margin.