Disappointment for Limerick's Árdscoil Rís in Munster Schools Junior Cup final

ÁRDSCOIL Ris' hopes of securing a first Munster Schools Junior Cup title in 18 years were dashed on Wednesday following their 20-8 final defeat to holders PBC, of Cork at Thomond Park.

The opening half the final was played in heavy rain, making ball handling extremely difficult for both sides. Indeed, it was an afternoon when having possession of the ball was almost a liability.

Árdscoil Rís trailed 3-13 at half-time, the Limerick side not helping their cause by amassing a significant number of unforced errors during the opening period.

There was no shortage of industry and endeavour from the Limerick side. However, they were unable to reach the high level of performance achieved in their previous fixtures in the today's slippery conditions.

After Pres' took an early 3-0 lead through a penalty goal from full-back Daniel Murphy, Ardscoil Ris, who had defeated local rivals Castletroy College in the semi-final, hit back with a 10th minute penalty goal of their own from out-half James Butler, after the Limerick side earned favourable field position following a fine run in broken play by full-back Frank Sheehan-Williams. 

PBC took a grip on the final in the second quarter, racking up 10 unanswered points through a further penalty goal from Murphy, while the full-back also converted a try from PBC captain, Frankie Og Sheahan, son of the former Munster and Ireland hooker of the same name.

Trailing by 10 points at the break, Ardscoil needed a fast start to the second half and to their credit the North Circular Road side got themselves right back into the decider eight minutes after the restart.

Lively scrum half Ollie Desmond initiated the move with a terrific break through the middle of the pitch. Ardscoil showed admirable patience and composure to maintain possession of the greasy ball, going through the phases.

That pressure told when out-half Butler collected Desmond's pass, before linking up with centre Leo Connolly, who powered his way over the tryline.

While the conversion was missed, Ardscoil were right back in the final, trailing by just five points, 8-13.

The rain eased as the half wore on making conditions that bit easier for both sets of players.

Ardscoil pushed hard in a bid to overhaul their opponents, but Pres' resilient defence held them at bay.

Close full-time, PBC replacement Sé Clarke gathered possession and kicked downfield, before collecting the bouncing ball and running clear to score under the posts.

Murphy also added the conversion to seal victory for Pres' who were completed a Munster Schools Senior and Junior Cup double this season.

Ardscoil Rís: Frank Sheehan Williams, Daniel O’Connell, Leo Connolly, Aaron Kelly, Dylan Quirke, James Butler, Ollie Desmond; Jamie Kelly, David Salmon, Lochlann Brown, Lloyd Costelloe (C), Daniel O’Flaherty, Jack Rafferty, Brendan Morrissey, Darragh Leyden. Replacements: Jack Hartigan, Jake Das, Matthew Collins, Christian Cantillon, Brian O’Loughlin, Cathal O’Doherty, Conor Ryan, Louis O’Flanagan, Alexander Fennell, Jack Thorne.

PBC: Daniel Murphy, Bobby O’Callaghan, Daniel Mellerick, Eddie Dooley, Luke Neenan, Olan Healy, Frankie Óg Sheahan (C); Diarmuid Sheehy, Joseph Healy, Fionn O’Sullivan, Olan Dillon, Cathal Bruhn, Conor McLoughlin, Cormac Bohan, Tom Murray. Replacements: Ronan Twomey, Rory Cahill, Sam O’Leary, Daniel Ryan, Mikey Fitzgerald, Odhrán Healy, Dan O’Leary, Michael Browne, Sé Clarke.

REFEREE: John Lillis (IRFU)