Castletroy College Clinch Junior Cup Final Place

Castletroy College booked their place in this year’s Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Junior Cup Final with a 22-15 win over Ardscoil Ris at Rosbrien on Tuesday.

Castletroy College 22-15 Ardscoil Ris

Castletroy College booked their place in this year’s Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Junior Cup Final with a 22-15 win over Ardscoil Ris at Rosbrien on Tuesday.

With Ardscoil Ris having the better start, a cracking second half performance saw an accomplished Castletroy score three tries in the second half, two of which came from captain and Number 8 Darragh Hannon. Ardscoil Ris’ physical pack made life difficult for Castletroy, however, but their offloading in the tackle and willingness to move the ball proved very effective for the Castletroy side.

Castletroy got the first score of the game with a try from winger Sean Cunningham after six minutes as a result of a dynamic break from Michael Dooley who offloaded to allow Cunningham land the first points. With the conversion missed, Ardscoil Ris responded with a try from flanker Ian Hickey, with Jamie Gavin adding a penalty kick to give Ardscoil Ris an 8-5 lead at the break.

Shortly after the break, quick thinking Darragh Hannon scored his first of two tries after blocking down and kick, collecting the ball and crossing the line, with centre Padraig O’Connor converting. Hannon also scored Castletroy’s third try after finishing off a great break by Anthony Collins. Collins claimed Castletroy’s fourth try after the ball was spread and a bit of pace injected broke through Ardscoil’s defence. Despite Castletroy leading 22-8 going into the final minutes, Ardscoil Ris continued to look for a way back into the game, and were rewarded with a late try from replacement Jack Daly which was converted by Jamie McGarry.

For Castletroy, Michael Dooley was influential at 6, with Captain Darragh Hannon and second row Kevin O’Dwyer also impressing. Outhalf Peter Murray controlled the game well, with Al Dolan and the centre partnership of O’Connor and Quinn also working well together. With a well organised and physical pack, Ardscoil’s second row Padraig Monaghan, and number 8 and Captain Tom Goggin led from the front with prop Niall Buckley also impressing. The half back partnership of Eoin Commane and Jamie Gavin were also influential.

Castletroy College await the outcome of Wednesday’s clash between Presentation Brothers College and Crescent College Comprehensive to discover who their opponents in the final will be. The Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Junior Cup final is due to be played on Wednesday March 21st next.

Castletroy College
15. Anthony Collins, 14. Al Dolan, 13. Padraig O’Connor, 12. Padraig Quinn, 11. Sean Cunningham, 10. Peter Murray, 9. Daniel Foley, 1. Keith Kennedy, 2. James Rael (H), 3. Alex de Sousa (H), 4. Kevin O’Dwyer, 5. Brian Stokes, 6. Michael Dooley, 7. Kevin Doyle, 8. Darragh Hannon (Captain)
Replacements: 16. Neil Cronin, 17. Greg Barrett, 18. Stephen O’Carroll, 19. Tadgh MacInerney (H), 20. Peter Ryan (P), 21. Ger Keane (P), 22. Paddy Gleeson

Ardscoil Ris
15. Jamie McGarry, 14. Craig Airey, 13. Billy Storan, 12. Robert Henehan, 11. Alex McNamara, 10. Eoin Commane, 9. Jamie Gavin, 1. Ronan McMahon, 2. Simon Keane, 3. Niall Buckley, 4. Kevin Walsh, 5. Padraig Monaghan, 6. Shane Conway, 7. Ian Hickey, 8. Tom Goggin (Captain)
Replacements: Marcus Fizgibbon, 17. Kieran Earls, 18. John O’Mahony, 19. Jack Daly, 20. Alex Griffin, 21. Michael Russell, 22. Mark Leonard.