Munchin’s dig deep to advance to semis

St Munchin’s College 10 Castletroy College 7

A brace of tries inside the closing 11 minutes from flanker Shane Airey and winger Craig Shanahan proved decisive in helping St Munchin’s secure a hard-fought win over their Limerick rivals.

Backed by a stiff breeze on a bitterly cold day, Castletroy College, with five members of their 2008 winning squad on show, had to wait until three minutes before half-time to opening the scoring.

A slick backline move featuring out-half Sean Moran and impressive full-back William Shanahan created the opening for centre David Buter to power his way over. Moran added the extras and Castletroy maintained their 7-0 lead until the break.

The game was delayed for a half an hour midway through the second half as a Castletroy player received attention for an injury.

When play resumed, St Munchin’s College quickly reduced their arrears.

Flanker Airey scored an opportunist try within a minute after the restart after Castletroy lost a line-out close to their own line.

With prop Eoghan Kelly, number eight Mel Corbett and out-half Tom O’Neill excelling, St Munchin’s struck for a decisive second try.

Winger Shanahan showed a terrific burst of pace to score a fine individual try in the right corner two minutes from full-time.

St Munchin’s College will now face either Crescent College Comprehensive or Glenstal Abbey in the semi-final later this month.

ST MUNCHIN’S COLLEGE: D Morrissey; C Shanahan, A Hannigan, C O’Donnell (Capt), G Bateman; T O’Neill, B Nugent; E Kelly, G Sheehan, D Byrne; M McSweeney, B Kilkenny; G Powell, S Airey, M Corbett.

Replacements: S Houlihan for Sheehan (37 mins), B Molloy for Powell (47 mins).

CASTLETROY COLLEGE: W Shanahan; J McDonnell, D Butler, E Clancy, F O’Sullivan; S Moran, R Ryan; B Foley-Friel, L Clohessy, T Kelly; P Bermingham, M Kennedy; A O’Connor, C Hassett, C Bonfil (Capt).

Replacements: G Egleston for O’Connor (40 mins), C Stapleton for O’Sullivan (48 mins).

Referee: P Roche (MAR).