Limerick sides face big challenge in Munster Schools Senior Cup
Elliot Fitzgerald in action for Crescent Comp in their Munster Schools Senior Cup tie against PBC - Crescent lost but are still one of Limerick's best chances of outright success
With the quarter-finals of the Munster Schools Senior Cup now confirmed, Colm Kinsella looks at the challenges facing the Limerick sides
THE opening series of fixtures in this season’s Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup highlighted the uphill task facing Limerick sides if they are to reclaim the prestigious prize for the Mid-West next month.
In the three quarter-final round one fixtures where Limerick sides played opposition from Cork and Tipperary away from home, the schools from Shannonside all tasted defeat. Crescent College Comprehensive were beaten by PBC at Musgrave Park, while Ardscoil Ris lost to CBC at Temple Hill and plucky Glenstal Abbey lost narrowly to holders Rockwell College at Clanwilliam Park.
At least under the ‘second chances’ system which is currently used in the Cup, all quarter-final first round losers get a second chance to progress to the semi-finals.
However, as a result of losing their opening fixture, three Limerick sides face away fixtures when the knock-out stages of the Cup begin later this month.
Crescent College Comprehensive must travel to Cork once again to take on CBC. Crescent, winners of the Junior Cup for the last two seasons, turned in a decent display in a high quality match against PBC last time out. Crescent, led by rising stars such as Greg O’Shea, Gearoid Lyons, Greg Barry, Niall Horan and Cormac Blake will be confident they can improve on their showing against Pres’. Crescent also expect to be boosted by the return of two key back-row forwards from injury, Diarmuid Dee and Jack Dinneen.
This is a massive fixture for a young Crescent side and the draw could have been kinder, for sure. But should they secure a precious away win over Christians, then the Dooradoyle school would be considered as serious contenders again for top honours.
St Munchin’s College impressed many observers in their opening day defeat of Castletroy College. The Munchin’s side boasts a combination of power and pace, key ingredients in Cup success.
The Corbally side’s pack is well-drilled, boasting a dependable line-out and well-executed maul. Given the weather’s tendency to be wet at this time of the year, St Munchin’s forward power should serve them well.
And the 2006 winners showed in the second half of their win over Castletroy that they are not afraid to get the ball out their backline if the opportunity arises. In the likes of the Ryan triplets, Evan, Gavin and Darren, number eight and captain Lee Nicholas, centre Dan Goggin and half-backs Shane Airey and Ben Nugent, they have several match winners.
As of now, St Munchin’s and Crescent College appear to provide Limerick’s two best chances of Cup success on St Patrick’s weekend.
St Munchin’s next opponents Ardscoil Ris will take encouragement from the fact that their ‘away’ quarter-final will be in fact staged in Limerick. The scoreline in Ardscoil’s previous outing against CBC didn’t do justice to their efforts on the day.
Ardscoil will relish the prospect of locking horns with their city rivals. And with talented players such as team captain Ciaran Power, and Munster U-18 players, Patrick Kearns and Conor Glynn in their ranks, the North Circular Road side will quietly fancy their chances of producing an upset.
Castletroy College will be eagerly looking forward to their ‘second chance’ meeting with Rockwell. Castletroy did not perform anywhere near their full potential against St Munchin’s College. And the Newtown school won’t fear taking on holders Rockwell, who struggled to get past Glenstal Abbey in their previous outing.
Castletroy showed plenty of exciting attacking potential last day out with full-back Jonathan McDonnell, half-backs Sean Moran and Luke Clohessy catching the eye, while up front captain Conor Bonfil and lock Brian Bermingham caught the eye.
Glenstal will have won plenty of admirers with the gritty nature of their display against holders Rockwell earlier this week. Had Luke Bradley’s injury time penalty attempt gone over the crossbar rather than dropping a few inches short of it, then Glenstal would have recorded another of the Cup’s great shocks.
Mike Prendergast’s Glenstal had the rugby know-how to win the game, but they lacked that little bit of composure and craft needed on the day.
Out-half Bradley, back row forwards Rossa Dooley and Tom Ryan, Waterford minor hurler Ian Kenny, who plays in the centre, and full-back Sean Gleeson are exciting talents. However, a win over PBC in Cork may prove beyond the Murroe side.
FIVE TO FOLLOW
Jonathan McDonnell (Castletroy College)
Ultra-consistent full-back, who is defensively solid and dependable under the high ball. Loves to counter-attack.
Greg O’Shea (Crescent College Comprehensive)
A sprint champion, the exciting centre has a keen eye for a break and uses his pace to burn opposition defenders.
Evan Ryan (St Munchin’s College)
A powerful prop, who boasts an impressive work-rate. Excellent scrummager and exciting ball-carrier.
Ciaran Power (Ardscoil Ris)
Explosive number eight, who leads his side by example. An exciting runner with ball in ball in hand, coupled with an immense work-rate around the park.
Luke Bradley (Glenstal Abbey)
The out-half boasts a cool head in the pivotal half-back position. Has the ability to control the game effectively with a big boot and is a reliable goal-kicker.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Quarter-finals: (Knock-out)
CBC v Crescent College Comprehensive (February 21/22)
PBC v Glenstal Abbey (February 21/22)
Rockwell College v Castletroy College (February 22)
St Munchin’s College v Ardscoil Ris (February 23)
Semi-finals
CBC/Crescent V Rockwell/Castletroy
PBC/Glenstal V St Munchin’s/Ardscoil Ris
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Friday 25 May 2012
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