Glenstal Shooting For History At Thomond

After six hard fought matches, this year’s Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup champion for 2017 will be revealed, as Glenstal Abbey and Presentation Brothers College face off tomorrow with plenty on the line for both schools.

The final, which kicks off at 4pm at Thomond Park, will be huge for those in Murroe, their first since 1970, having been beaten by Rockwell College after a replay 47 years ago. The opportunity for Glenstal to capture their first ever Munster Schools Senior Cup title is sure to attract a huge crowd to the city to cheer on their side.

A big game for Pres too, however, as the Mardyke outfit aim to go back level with their city rivals Christian Brothers College on 29 titles, with CBC beating Crescent 9-8 to win last year’s competition.

Both side had reasonably comfortable paths to the semi-final stage, with Glenstal beating St Clement’s 27-10 in UL in the first round, before holding Rockwell scoreless in an 18-0 win at Clanwilliam Park.

Pres meanwhile hammered eventual semi-finalists Ardscoil Rís 40-5, before overcoming Crescent 16-3 despite finishing with just 13 men.

Both semi-finals proved to be crackers, in front of the eir Sport cameras, who will again be today’s game in case you cannot make it to the ground.

On the first day of the month PBC took on Bandon Grammar School, playing in their first semi-final, and despite the West Cork side drawing first blood, they struggled to add to their early penalty kicked by Sean Heuston. Pres took the lead after the break, as Sean French’s audacious chip and chase from close range saw him dive over the line.

Captain Jack O’Sullivan bulldozed over the line to seal the tie for the Mardyke outfit, who found out their final opponents the following day.

Glenstal raced into a 21-0 lead after as many minutes against Ardscoil Rís a day later; three beautifully crafted tries finished by Jack O’Mahony, George Dowling, and Luke Fitzgerald leaving the city side in a spin. Ardscoil refused to be pushed out however, and after Alex O’Callaghan fought his way over the line, the ‘visitors’ sensed a comeback.

Little by little they whittled away the Glenstal lead, and after Colin Slater touched down having charged down a Glenstal kick, the game was reduced to a single point. However, Evan Cusack’s late drop-goal was blocked down, and Glenstal survived.

This event is ticket-only, which can be purchased at the game for €10 for an Adult and €5 for a Juvenile, while a €25 Family Ticket (2 Adult 3 Junior) can also be purchased.

Glenstal Abbey Senior Cup Final Squad to face PBC:

1. Sean Scanlon-Garry
2. George Downing
3. Eoin Bergin
4. Conan O’Sullivan
5. Shane Downes
6. Conor Booth
7. Mark Fleming
8. Rory Clarke (C)
9. Thanade McCoole
10. Ben Healy
11. Ronan Quinn
12. Luke Fitzgerald
13. Jamie Mawhinney
14. Tim Molony
15. Jack O’Mahony

Replacements from: 16. Padraic Mulligan, 17. Patrick Prendergast , 18. Henry Downing, 19. James Fitzgerald , 20. Mark Walsh, 21. Andrew Walsh, 22. Aran Egan, 23. Declan Floyd, 24. Eoin Callaghan, 25. Andrew Hogan.

Glenstal road to the final:

First round: Glenstal Abbey 27 St Clements 10, UL 4G
Quarter-final: Rockwell 0 Glenstal Abbey 18, Clanwilliam Park
Semi-final: Ardscoil Rís 20 Glenstal Abbey 21, Thomond Park

Presentation Brothers College Senior Cup Final Squad to face Glenstal:

1. Conor Burke
2. Billy Scannell
3. Brian O’Conor
4. Adam McAuliffe
5. Mark McCarthy
6. Cian Fitzgerald
7. David Hyland
8. Jack O Sullivan (Captain)
9. Gary Bradley
10. Peter Sylvester (Vice-Captain)
11. Tom Fitzgerald
12. James Broderick
13. Seán French
14. Paul Buckley
15. Jonathan Wren

Replacements from: 16. Alex Keating, 17. Kieran Nugent, 18. Eoin Burns, 19. Cathal Browne, 20. Eoin Quilter, 21. David Harrington, 22. Sam O’Donovan, 23. Harry Dillon, 24. Louis Bruce, 25. Paul Kennedy.

PBC road to the final:

First-round: Ardscoil Rís 5 PBC 40, Garryowen
Quarter-final: PBC 16 Crescent Comprehensive 3, Lansdowne
Semi-final: PBC 12 Bandon Grammar 3, Irish Independent Park

Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup final
Glenstal Abbey v Presentation Brothers College – Friday 17th March, Thomond Park, 4pm – Live on eir Sport.