Limerick's Crescent College storm back to earn draw with CBC in Munster Schools Senior Cup

HOLDERS Crescent College Comprehensive staged a thrilling comeback to force a dramatic 15-15 draw with CBC, of Cork, in their Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup semi-final at Musgrave Park on Tuesday.

The Limerick school looked likely to exit the Cup when trailing by 12 points, 3-15, in the closing minutes of the fixture.

However, Crescent College stormed back to earn a share of the spoils and force a replay, thanks to two tries, one of which was converted.

CBC led 8-0 at half-time, before Crescent opened their account with a penalty goal from centre Eoin O'Callaghan.

Christians' then tightened their grip on the game deep in the final quarter when crossing for a converted try to lead 15-3.

To their credit, the Limerick students showed remarkable resilience to fight back. A try from Cathal Lanigan-Ryan worked off a five-metre penalty sparked the revival.

Then with the match clock heading to the 70th minute, Crescent struck once more, with full-back Jed O'Dwyer putting O'Callaghan into the space and the impressive centre raced down the left wing, before fending off a CBC tackler and touching down in the corner.

O'Callaghan then showed terrific composure to land the conversion from close to the touchline. The successful kick sends the semi-final to a replay, details of which will be confirmed this week.

St Munchin's College will be in Munster Schools Senior Cup semi-final action tomorrow, Wednesday, when taking on PBC, of Cork, at Musgrave Park, 1.30pm.  

CBC: Benjamin Lynch, Evan Cahill Murphy, Alex O’Connell, Gavin O’Riordan, Christopher Barrett, Charlie Patrick O’Shea, Jack Casey; Sam Loftus, Adam Wrona, Harry Foster, Michael Doyle, Michael Foy, Mark Skelly, Daniel Rock, Éanna McCarthy. Replacements: Stephen O’Shaughnessy, Cian Walsh, Denis Callaghan, Conor Kennelly, George Good, Odhran Prenter, Conor Foley, Leo O’Leary, Ronan O’Keefe, Jack O’Callaghan.

CRESCENT COLLEGE COMPREHENSIVE: Jed O’Dwyer, Evan Cusack, Eoin O’Callaghan, Joe McEnery, Josh Boland, Ryan Godfrey, Marcus Lyons; Mark Fitzgerald, Conor Clery, Dennis O’Dwyer, Jack Somers, Sean Magee, Fionn Casserly, Andrew Ahearne, Cillian Kelly. Replacements: Jonathan Byrne, Cathal Lanigan Ryan, Conor Ryan, Jordan Power, Charlie Fenton, Cormac Quinn, Michael O’Mara, Oscar Davey, Ben Gallagher, Evan Bennett.