St. Munchin’s Book Their Spot In First Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup Final In Over A Decade

St. Munchin’s College have punched their ticket to the Pinergy Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup Final for the first since 2012, as they defeated Bandon Grammar 34-43 in Virgin Media Park.

Munchin’s logged their first score in just the fourth minute as full back, Ryan Angely, dove over from close quarters. Oisin Madden added the extras.

Bandon responded just five minutes later as Jamie Hicks was sent over after a skillful cross field kick from scrum half Lewis Linehan. Conor Smyth sent the touchline conversion right between the posts.

The West Cork side added to their tally in the 12th minute as St. Munchin’s were penalised for not releasing in the ruck. Smyth slotted over the kick giving their side the first lead of the game.

Munchin’s worked their way back up the pitch over the forthcoming minutes as Angely broke the line. Bandon scrambled in defence bringing the full back down just before the five metre line. The Limerick natives continued to work through the phases before Jack Meaney dove across the whitewash. Madden once again added the extras to bring the score to 10-14.

The score line swung back in favour of the West Cork natives in the 23rd minute as a driving maul allowed hooker Adam Barry to touch down. Smyth kicked the extra two to give the side a three point lead going into the closing stages of the first half.

But Munchin’s had one last attacking phase up their sleeve as Angley added to his points tally for the afternoon as he sniped over in the corner to bring the half time score to 17-19.

Munchin’s widen the gap even more early on in the second half as Bandon were penalised for not releasing in a ruck. Madden kicked the three to put five points between the sides.

The Limerick natives were back on the score cards once again just seven minutes later as hooker Michael Landers touched down and Madden converted.

Bandon began to claw their way back in the 51st minute as Eanna Burke dodged and dived between two defenders to touch down. Replacement Billy Canniffe lined up his first conversion of the game, sending the ball just wide of the posts.

The West Cork side were in again just five minutes later as flanker Mark Whelton regathered a clearance kick from Canniffe. The Munchins defence stood strong as Whelton was caught just before the line. Grammar continued through the phases before Jack Deasy barreled over. Canniffe added the extras to bring the sides to 29 points a piece with only 15 minutes left on the click.

Munchin’s responded on the hour mark as centre Brendan Minogue slipped through two Bandon defenders to slide in under the posts. Madden added the extras to bring the score to 29-36.

But Bandon weren’t finished as winger Michael Landers broke the line from deep within his own half. The speedster made his way down field before being caught on the five metre line. With Munchin’s scrambling to make it back Bandon spotted the space and moved the ball wide, allowing Eanna Burke to touch down for his second try of the day. Canniffe just missed the posts with his conversion leaving just two points between the sides as the clock ticked closer to the red.

With 68 minutes on the clock Munchin’s gave it one last push in attack. The Limerick natives worked their way back up the pitch before Minogue, much like his first, spotted the gap under the posts and barreled over. Madden added the extras to bring the final score to 34-43 and sending the Limerick side into the final next month.

Bandon Grammar School: Louis Dukelow; Michael Kennedy, Eanna Burke, Sam Barry, Jamie Hicks; Conor Smyth, Lewis Linehan; Jack Deasy, Adam Barry, Jonas van der Velde; Seán Dooley, Billy Giles; Aodhan Brennan, Mark Whelton; Matthew Buttimer.

Replacements: Robert Collins, Sean O’Callaghan, Finn McCarthy, Scott Brady, Matthew O’Regan, Georgie McNulty, Dylan L’Estrange, Fionn Lucey, Billy Canniffe, Alexander Bramoulle.

St. Munchin’s College: Ryan Angley; Paddy O’Driscoll, Brendan Minogue, Michele Delmont Ferrara, Evan Quinn; Oisin Madden, Thomas O’Brien; Bobby Meagher, Michael Landers, Conor Dillon; Callum McGrath, Cillian McGrath; Ronan O’Brien, Jack Meaney; Daniel Foley.

Replacements: Oisin Gleeson, Donnacha Colgan, Stephen Bissette, Sam McGlynn, Alex Fennell, Joseph Browne, Sam Frost, Milo Keane, Darragh Mullane, Darragh Newman.