Resolute Castletroy College see off St Munchin's to book Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup semi-final spot

CASTLETROY College are into the semi-finals of the Pinergy Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup following an exciting 17-11 quarter-final victory over local rivals St Munchin’s College at Liam Fitzgerald Park this Tuesday.

A try in either half from prop forward Jamie Conway ensured that the Newtown side emerged victorious from this derby clash and advance to the last four from what was a tight contest throughout.

St Munchin’s had plenty of chances to score either side of half-time, but the Corbally side only took one of them as Charlie Grace touched down after the break.

The opening 10 minutes of the game were nervy given the magnitude of what was at stake but it was Castletroy that drew first blood.

A slick attack, with out-half Liam Glynn central to proceedings, pierced the Munchin’s defence. Joel Rowntree and Glynn combined to release Robbie Widger into the ’22.

Cillian McNamara then went close to the line but it was Conway that eventually dotted down with Glynn nailing the conversion.

St Munchin’s responded with an Oisin Madden penalty, but were unable to earn a first half try despite being camped deep in Castletroy territory.

David Geoghegan, Grace and Adam O’Shaughnessy all went close, but were repelled by a staunch Castletroy defence who took a 7-3 advantage into the second half.

Munchin’s began the second half on the offensive once more and broke through for their try on 47 minutes with Grace on the spot to give them a one-point lead.

That advantage was short-lived, however, as Glynn responded almost immediately with a penalty to put his side back in front.

Munchin’s continued to hold the upper hand, but also continued to struggle to turn that pressure into points and were forced to settle for a Madden penalty that saw them lead by a single point, 11-10, heading into the final stages.

However, it was Castletroy’s day as right from the restart, Adam Power blocked down an attempted clearance to put his side deep in the Munchin’s ’22.

Patience prevailed with Conway again on hand to score his second try with Glynn’s conversion sealing victory and a place in the semi-final for Castletroy.

CASTLETROY COLLEGE: Robbie Widger; Robert Sheehan, Sean Lyons, Joel Rowntree, James Rennison; Liam Glynn, James O’Malley; Trevor Tchokotieu, Jack O’Gorman, Jamie Conway; Ben Fogarty, Adam Power; Ben O’Connell, Rowan Brady, Cillian McNamara. Replacements: Kevin Griffin, Julian, Siudzinski, Mark Hickey, Andrew Berkery, Martin Hourigan, Sam Prendergast, Cormac Devitt, Ben Kiely, Evan Boland, Enda Collins.

ST MUNCHIN'S COLLEGE: Adam McGlynn; Jarrod Arenhold, Ryan Angley, Brendan Minogue, Gearoid O’Brien; Oisin Madden, Darragh Dillon; Kalum Kirwan, Adam O’Shaughnessy, David Geoghegan; Jack Meaney, Alex Acton-Quinn; Brian Carr, Paddy Dowling, Charlie Grace. Replacements: Michael Landers, Donnchadh Colgan, Daragh Fogarty, Cian Hannon, Eoghan Coughlan, Adam Burke, Paddy O’Driscoll, Tom Williams, Darragh Newman, Joe Browne.

REFEREE: John Lillis (MAR).