St. Joseph’s CBS Retain U16 King Cup

St. Joseph’s CBS, Nenagh, retained the U16 King Cup yesterday after a hard-fought 15-7 victory over Waterpark College in a tough and intense encounter at Clonmel RFC.

Despite being played in heavy underfoot conditions, both sides sought to move ball at every opportunity.

The early stages were evenly contested with both sides having opportunities to open the scoring. The deadlock was finally broken on 21 minutes by St. Joseph’s Dylan Murphy.

After securing line-out possession initially, the Number 8 powered over after taking a pop pass from the subsequent ruck. The try went unconverted to leave the Tipperary side with a 5-0 lead.

St. Joseph’s scored again a minute before half -time when blindside wing forward Cathal Ryan burst past two would be tacklers down the left side to score in the corner.

Half-time: St. Joseph’s CBS, Nenagh 10-0 Waterpark College

In the second-half, Waterpark gathered some momentum with Captain Billy Doherty a constant threat in the centre, as well as Aaron Hayes O’Brien whose quick feet had St. Joseph’s in trouble on numerous occasions.

A series of penalties on the St. Joseph’s line looked destined to yield a try, but superb defence and counter rucking saw St. Joseph’s clear the danger and work their way back up the field.

A break by Aaron Sharkey brought play into Waterpark’s 22. A period of pressure eventually saw full-back Ruari Moylan crash over in the corner to give his side a 15-0 lead.

With two minutes remaining Waterpark scored a consolation try when some brilliant interplay saw Hayes O’Brien break up the left wing before off loading back inside to the supporting Padraig O’Sullivan. Hayes O’Brien converted for a final score of 15-7 to St. Joseph’s.

Full-time: St. Joseph’s CBS, Nenagh 15 – 7 Waterpark College

St. Joseph’s CBS, Nenagh: Ruairi Moylan: John O’Meara; Aaron Sharkey; Paul Seymour; Sam Madden; David Grace; Eoin O’Meara; Daniel Quigley; Sean Fitzgerald; Cathal Delaney (C); Danny Wilkinson; Jack Keays; Cathal Ryan; Dylan Murphy; James Meagher.

Replacements: Robbie Lee Creamer; Conor MacBean; Jack Gleeson; John Brislane; Michael Ryan; Andrew Ferris; Adam Steed.

Waterpark College: Aaron Hayes O’Brien; Ben Schnieders; Billy Doherty (C) Sean Fitzgerald O’Connor; Rory Boland; Oliver McAllister; Jude O’Regan; Gavin Shanahan; Paul White; Edward Roche; Damien Farrell; Cathal Kane; Luke McGrath; Colm Power; Martin Gannon.

Replacements: Jack Daniels; James Smyth; Padraig O’Sullivan; Jack Foley; Tega Agberhiere; Andrew Murphy.

Referee: Claudio Dona