Glenstal Abbey 30
Crescent College 10
LAST YEAR’S BEATEN Munster Schools Senior Cup finalists Glenstal Abbey are back in the decider after beating Crescent College at the Markets Field this afternoon.
The all-Limerick semi-final derby produced an excellent game of rugby but it was a dominant defensive display and an outstanding performance from out-half Ben Healy which ultimately saw Glenstal home.
Healy kicked 15 points, the highlight of which was a monstrous 40-metre drop goal, to guide his side into the final for the second year running as the school go in search of their first Senior title.
Glenstal got the scoring underway after just four minutes with a Healy penalty, and the out-half was then heavily involved in the game’s opening try.
His flat kick wide found Ronan Quinn and after the ball was recycled several phases later, the winger scored in the left corner. Healy nailed the conversion to put Glenstal 10-0 up.
Crescent hit back immediately when Conor Phillips broke through the Glenstal defence and set up Jack Madden for a score that John Hurley converted.
The game was just 11 minutes old when Glenstal went in for their second try. Andrew Hogan read Jack Delaney’s pass wide for Hurley and intercepted to run in under the posts from 40 metres.
Healy added the straightforward conversion and then a long range penalty to put Glenstal 20-7 ahead at the interval.
Crescent ramped up the pressure in the second half but could only manage another Hurley penalty despite their early dominance.
Any hopes the 11-time winners had of pulling off a late comeback were dashed when Healy’s drop goal stretched the lead to 13 and then Mark Fleming’s try made the game safe for Glenstal.
The final word deservedly went to Healy as he kicked the extras to ensure Glenstal’s passage through to the final on St Patrick’s weekend.
Glenstal scorers:Tries: Ronan Quinn, Andrew Hogan, Mark Fleming
Conversions: Ben Healy [3]
Penalties: Ben Healy [3]
Drop goal: Ben HealyCrescent scorers:
Tries: Jack Madden
Conversion: John Hurley
Penalty: John Hurley
GLENSTAL ABBEY: Aran Egan; Andrew Hogan, Harry Benner, Caolan Dooley, Ronan Quinn; Ben Healy, Andrew Walsh; Harry Boland, George Downing, Patrick Prendergast; David Kelly, James Fitzgerald, Ronan Leahy, Conor Booth, Mark Fleming.
Replacements: Mark Walsh for Fitzgerald (53 mins), Brian Leonard for A Walsh (53 mins), Niall Quelly for Leahy (63 mins), Padraic Mulligan for Booth (72 mins), Will McAleese for Benner (72 mins).
CRESCENT COLLEGE: Conor Phillips; Timmy Duggan, Jamin Hoffman, John Hurley, Cian Tuohy; Jack Delaney, Aaron Cosgrove; Conor Fitzgerald, Ronan Reynolds; Peter King, Cian McDonagh; Jack Madden, Dan Feasey.
Replacements: Sheehan Faloon for Tuohy (42 mins), Barry Scott for Kind (51 mins), Brian Naughton for McDonagh (67 mins), Joshua Fitzgerald for Reynolds (70 mins), Neville O’Sullivan for Duggan (70 mins), Paul Collins for Delaney (72 mins), Maccon Casserly for Hurley (74 mins).
Referee: Tommy O’Donoghue (MAR).
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
The real special one
@Jamie: When he has 4 he is special until then Judas is the special one !
@Jamie: Why not try and congratulate one of your own first Alan before you troll . Well done Chris Hughton !!
Yes, he has done well, but I think he can only truly be judged next year. The advantage of only playing once a week was incredible. With that, and not sustaining any major injuries, no team in the league made less changes to its starting 11 week in week out. So, luck definitely had its part to play.
@William Boland: still done amazing especially if they win FA cup. I think not playing Europe did help but clubs like Liverpool didn’t play in Europe and they didn’t treat
Threaten to win anything this season.. so massive credit to Conte..
Conte deserves the award for turning Chelsea around and making them into the formidable force, the real challenge starts next season, with champions league included