OUT-HALF CONOR Fitzgerald was the hero as last year’s beaten finalists Ardscoil Rís reached this year’s Seat Munster Schools Senior Cup decider by overcoming Cork’s PBC at Musgrave Park today.
With the game deep into stoppage time, Pres captain John Poland looked to have put his school into a first final since 2011 as he sent over a penalty at the end of normal time.
A long stoppage for an injury to number 8 Jerry McCabe ensured that there was enough time for Ardscoil to seek a winner, however, and when they won a penalty on the 10m line after a deliberate knock-on, Fitzgerald – a former Limerick minor hurler – did the needful.
Inside 10 minutes of the the start of the first half, Ardscoil had established a 10-0 lead. Fitzgerald knocked over an early penalty after missing a previous effort and then flanker Ian Brown made a knifing run before off-loading to colleague Oisín Bernard, who touched down.
Advertisement
Ardscoil Rís' Peadar Collins tackled by Peter Sylvester of PBC. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Fitzgerald added the extras but Pres rallied before half-time and a Poland penalty had them off the mark, the interval score 10-3.
Pres were excellent early in the second half. After a couple of close calls, a try arrived for them in the 56th minute, centre Shane Daly crossing after out-half Peter Sylvester had made a good break.
Though the conversion was missed, Poland made amends with the late penalty but Fitzgerald had the final say.
Scorers for Ardscoil Rís: Conor Fitzgerald 2 pens, con, Oisín Bernard try. Scorers for PBC: John Poland 2 pens, Shane Daly try.
A steward takes away a flare after the game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
ARDSCOIL RÍS: Darren Gavin (Liam Brock ’55); Nathan Randles, Jack IO’Donnell, Peadar Collins, Marcus McManemy; Conor Fitzgerald, Hugh Bourke; Pierce Lyons, Ty Chan, Tom Walsh (Andy Coffey (inj) ’9), ; Barra O’Byrne, Ronan Coffey; Oisín Bernard, Ian Brown, Jerry McCabe (Darragh Ryan (inj) ’58).
PBC: Darragh Dennehy; Billy Pope, Shane Daly, Robin Reidy, Conor Duggan (David O’Sullivan ’49); Peter Sylvester, John Poland; Joe Ring, Emmet McCarthy (Paul Crowley (inj) ’70), Sam Deane; Kevin O’Leary, Brian O’Mahony; Caolán O’Flynn (Michael Shinkwin ’49), Graham Smith, Jack O’Sullivan.
Referee: Olly Hodges (MAR).
Ardscoil Rís' Conor Fitzgerald celebrates after kicking a penalty to win the game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Ardscoil claim dramatic late win over Pres to reach Munster Senior Schools Cup final
Ardscoil Rís 13
PBC 11
OUT-HALF CONOR Fitzgerald was the hero as last year’s beaten finalists Ardscoil Rís reached this year’s Seat Munster Schools Senior Cup decider by overcoming Cork’s PBC at Musgrave Park today.
With the game deep into stoppage time, Pres captain John Poland looked to have put his school into a first final since 2011 as he sent over a penalty at the end of normal time.
A long stoppage for an injury to number 8 Jerry McCabe ensured that there was enough time for Ardscoil to seek a winner, however, and when they won a penalty on the 10m line after a deliberate knock-on, Fitzgerald – a former Limerick minor hurler – did the needful.
Inside 10 minutes of the the start of the first half, Ardscoil had established a 10-0 lead. Fitzgerald knocked over an early penalty after missing a previous effort and then flanker Ian Brown made a knifing run before off-loading to colleague Oisín Bernard, who touched down.
Fitzgerald added the extras but Pres rallied before half-time and a Poland penalty had them off the mark, the interval score 10-3.
Pres were excellent early in the second half. After a couple of close calls, a try arrived for them in the 56th minute, centre Shane Daly crossing after out-half Peter Sylvester had made a good break.
Though the conversion was missed, Poland made amends with the late penalty but Fitzgerald had the final say.
Scorers for Ardscoil Rís: Conor Fitzgerald 2 pens, con, Oisín Bernard try.
Scorers for PBC: John Poland 2 pens, Shane Daly try.
ARDSCOIL RÍS: Darren Gavin (Liam Brock ’55); Nathan Randles, Jack IO’Donnell, Peadar Collins, Marcus McManemy; Conor Fitzgerald, Hugh Bourke; Pierce Lyons, Ty Chan, Tom Walsh (Andy Coffey (inj) ’9), ; Barra O’Byrne, Ronan Coffey; Oisín Bernard, Ian Brown, Jerry McCabe (Darragh Ryan (inj) ’58).
PBC: Darragh Dennehy; Billy Pope, Shane Daly, Robin Reidy, Conor Duggan (David O’Sullivan ’49); Peter Sylvester, John Poland; Joe Ring, Emmet McCarthy (Paul Crowley (inj) ’70), Sam Deane; Kevin O’Leary, Brian O’Mahony; Caolán O’Flynn (Michael Shinkwin ’49), Graham Smith, Jack O’Sullivan.
Referee: Olly Hodges (MAR).
Hands off! Andrew Trimble is staying at Ulster
Major boost for Connacht as Muliaina and Leader return for Cardiff trip
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Ardscoil Rís Munster pbc Rugby Schools Snatch And Grab