We’re delighted to be guest blogging for our first Munster Haka Schools Roundup for PSA Academies following an exciting first week of Munster Schools Senior Cup action. We hope to bring some of the great colour and excitement of the Cup action in Munster to this weekly feature throughout the cup season so hopefully you enjoy the piece!
Five fixtures took place last week in Munster’s top schools rugby competition as months of tackle bag hitting and gameplan perfecting were swapped for the blood, sweat and tears of your average Senior Cup clash.
On Tuesday last, Crescent College took on St Clement’s at the University of Limerick as the two Limerick sides looked to get their Munster Schools campaigns off on the right foot. Crescent were strong favourites for the encounter and their pedigree told over the 70 minutes. Despite a strong start, Clement’s failed to contain the Dooradoyle men, who’s star-studded backline justified the pre-cup hype in emphatic style as Jack Delaney, Jamin Hoffman and John Hurley all impressed en route to a convincing 31-0 win.
Tuesday’s Munster Schools other game saw PBC host Castletroy in Cork in what was another unevenly matched contest. Hot prospects Sean French and Billy Scannell (younger brother of Munster Rugby stars Niall and Rory) both scored in the Cork school’s 25-8 win at the Mardyke, booking their place in the quarter finals and sending a few warning signs to their rivals.
The meeting between Glenstal and Rockwell on Wednesday was a different story however. Both teams came into the cup as potential champions and a little to our surprise, there proved to be almost nothing between them on the day. Glenstal eventually ran out as 10-8 winners with a moment of magic from winger Ronan Quinn the difference between the two teams in the end. Read the full match report here.
On the same day, Ardscoil Ris made the trip to Cork to face CBC. Christians were expected to win this one with a moderate degree of comfort and so it proved. The 2016 champions never took their foot off the gas and ran out as 34-7 winners, leaving Ardscoil with a second round playoff against Limerick contemporaries St Munchin’s to ‘look forward to’, following their defeat in Bandon.
Bandon had defeated the Limerick men twice in the previous two campaigns and history repeated itself as Munchin’s failed to turn territory into points. Bandon defended excellently throughout and one well-worked move that saw centre Victor Lovell dart over proved enough for them on the day. Read the full match report here.
This week sees the Munster Schools action turn to the crunch second round play-offs as Rockwell play Castletroy on Tuesday, before St Munchin’s take on Ardscoil the following day, to see who will make up the remaining spots available in the quarter-finals.
Follow all the day-to-action and vote for your Impact Gumshields Senior Cup Team of the Week at www.munsterhaka.com.
