Patrician and Killorglin off to a flyer

PATRICIAN Academy, Mallow and Intermediate School, Killorglin, scored impressive wins in the Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup (Round One) yesterday.

Patrician Academy posted six tries in a comfortable 37-19 victory over St Mary’s, Newport at the Tipperary village.

The north Cork college laid the foundations for victory in the first half.

They got off to a flyer when Chris O’Regan touched down after just five minutes. Ronan Casey crossed the whitewash in the 12th minute and, though the hosts kept the visitors at bay for a long period during the opening half, Lawrence Riordan and Alex Shannon crossed before the break. Complemented by conversions from Billy Myers — who also notched a first half penalty — and Michael Sweeney, the Mallow school held a 27-0 interval lead.

Never-say-die St Mary’s regrouped and conjured up two quick tries after the restart, but Patrician Academy refused to panic and added tries through captain Cormac Nyhan and Michael Downey to run out comfortable winners.

Patrician Academy meet the winners of CM Askeaton and Desmond College in round two.

Meanwhile Intermediate School Killorglin (ISK) were too powerful for Coláiste Dún Iascaigh (Cahir) at Clonmel RFC, with the Kerry college running out comprehensive 53-2 winners. ISK are progressing steadily since the turn of the millennium, having picked up two O’Brien Cups. Coached by Colm Conway, who also oversees Killorglin RFC in the Munster Junior League, ISK now look forward to a second round meeting with North Kerry rivals Tarbert CS.

Number eight Chris O’Sullivan, who captains ISK, was in inspirational form, running in three tries while other try-scorers included first centre David O’Sullivan, his midfield partner Noel O’Sullivan, Sam Ireland (wing), Stephen Cotter (hooker) and flanker Liam Walsh. Out half Luke O’Shea landed four conversions in an impressive victory for the Kingdom boys.