Holders Beaten In Schools Junior Cup

A great second half comeback saw Crescent College Comprehensive book their place in the Quarter Finals of the Munster Schools Junior Cup after the opening game in the competition at Thomond Park.

Crescent College Comprehensive 17, Christian Brothers College 10.
There was an explosive opening to this game with the lead changing hands on three occasions in the opening ten minutes.

Billy Caine opened the scoring with a penalty for Christians after three minutes.

Two minutes later Crescent hit the front with a Jamin Hoffman try which John Hurley converted.

Back came the Cork side and a try by Conor O’Sullivan converted by Caine made it 10-7.

Five minutes into the second half Jack Delaney restored Crescent’s advantage with a try and three minutes from time winger Ben Carew scored a wonderful try.

For holders C.B.C. they must now await Thursday’s second round draw to see who they will face as they take the scenic route.

Match Report Courtesy of:- Fionn O'Connor, Christian Brothers College

Crescent Clinch Victory as Courageous Christians Fall Short

Crescent saw off a valiant Christians effort, last Tuesday in Thomond Park. Crescent were eager to gain a small sliver of revenge, after being comprehensively beaten by Christians in the final last year. This intense rivalry, didn’t disappoint as the game kicked off to a frantic start. Christians took the lead within three minutes of the start, as out-half Billy Caine converted a penalty, after Crescent strayed offside. Christian’s lead was brief, as Jamie Hurley saw his kick luckily rebound off a Christians hand, from there he set up a ruck, which led to Hoffman going into the corner for a try. Hurley converted to make it 7-3 to Crescent with only seven minutes played.

Christians regained the lead in the tenth minute, after Caine released the mammoth Conor O’Sullivan who barged past two Crescent players to go over the line. Caine converted fantastically from the touchline, to put Christians three points in the lead. From this point Christians drove forward in search of a second try. In the 33^rd minute poor handling from Crescent, saw Christians nearly capitalise only to be pushed back several yards from the line. On the brink of half-time Christians came close again as full-back Thomas Downes weaved his way past several Crescent players before coming down close to the line. As Christians set up a ruck, the referee’s keen eye spotted an accidental offside and blew the whistle for half-time, reliving the exhausted Crescent back-line.

The second half opened as energetic as the first had ended, with Crescent retaining possession from Hurley’s kick-off. Crescent’s build up play was admirable, displaying great passing and handling climaxing with Jack Delaney receiving the ball and pushing into the corner for Crescent’s second try of the day. Hurley’s conversion attempt fell well short of the target leaving Crescent 12-10 in front. Five minutes later Christians nearly regained the lead as a great kick from Caine drifted only centimetres wide of the target. Unfortunately, this proved to be the turning point as Crescent set up shop and tried to hold their lead. Christians dominated possession and launched innumerable attacks on the robust Crescent back-row. With only fifteen minutes left, Christians came closest as Karl Waterman came within inches of the Crescent line. The attack proved to be fruitless. With the final phase of the game near it’s end, Crescent’s full-back made ground before passing off to Hurley who bounded forward past Christian’s back-row unscratched before unloading the ball to Ben Carew who glided into the corner. Again Hurley missed the conversion, a weak point to his game all afternoon, leaving Crescent seven points in the lead with only five minutes left to play.

Christians athleticism seemed to be boundless as they battered Crescent for a further six minutes of injury time. Despite Christian’s valiant efforts, Crescent’s line refused to give, the full-time whistle sounded to leave Crescent victorious 17-10. However, the competition is not over for Christians who will play a first round winner in the second round draw. In spite of Christian’s loss, their next opponent will regard themselves as unlucky to be drawn against last year’s winners’.

Scorers Crescent College Comprehensive: Jamin Hoffman, Jack Delaney, Ben Carew tries, John Hurley con.
C.B.C.: Conor O’Sullivan try, Billy Caine pen, con.
Crescent College Comprehensive: Daniel Larkin; Timothy Duggan, Jamin Hoffman, Jack Delaney, Ben Carew; John Hurley (Capt), Tristan Allen; Conor Fitzgerald, Ronan Reynolds, James Hanley; Cian McDonagh, Ronan Gallery; Cillian O'Malley, Alan Garland, Jack Madden.
Replacements: Charlie Dinneen, Eoin Feeney, Oisin Evans, Barry Murphy, Maccon Casserly, Mark McCrann, Cian Tuohy, Stephen Clein.
CBC: Thomas Downes; Fergal Conway, Killian Coughlan, Matthew Soames, Karl Waterman; Billy Caine, Jack O'Riordan; Harry Fitzgerald, David Good, Mark Donnelly; Aidan Brien, Conor O'Sullivan; Conor Walsh, Cillian Barry, Scott Buckley (Capt).
Replacements: Adam Coleman, Charlie Rasmussen, Niall Hassan, Dylan McAuliffe, Daniel O'Hara, Harry O'Riordan, Donagh Rice, Will Fielding.
Referee: Aidan McInerney (MAR).