Limerick's Árdscoil Rís target Munster Schools Junior Cup final success

LIMERICK'S Árdscoil Ris will make their first Munster Schools Junior Cup final appearance in 11 years today, Wednesday, when facing PBCin the decider at Thomond Park. The game has a 2pm kick-off time.

Árdscoil Ris are back in the decider for the first time since 2012, with the North Circular Road side last claiming the title in 2005, their second Junior Cup success in the space of three years.

Ardscoil Ris defeated CBC, of Cork, in that 2005 decider, 8-7, reversing the result of the previous years final when the Cork side had emerged victorious. Ardscoil Ris captain and No. 8 Barry Sheehan scored a try for the Limerick side, while Dave Lynch kicked a second half penalty in the decider at Thomond Park

Árdscoil Rís powered their way into the Munster Schools Junior Cup final after securing an exciting 23-17 semi-final victory over local rivals Castletroy College at Thomond Park last month.

Clinical Ardscoil laid the foundation for their semi-final win in the opening half after which they had built a significant 18-0 lead after being backed up a stiff breeze. When Ardscoil stung their opponents with a third try at the start of the second half, the winners looked set for a runaway victory.

However, to their credit, Castletroy College fought their way back into the contest, racking up 17 unanswered points, to leave just six points between the sides as the game ticked in stoppage time.

However, Ardscoil managed to repel Castletroy's last gasp bid to overhaul them in a nail-biting conclusion to the fixture. Árdscoil Ris had overcome Rockwell College in the quarter-finals to advance to the last four stage.

PBC meanwhile, came from 17-0 down to win 17-21 against St Munchin’s College in their semi-final at Thomond Park on the same day.