Christians turn on power to see off Munchin’s
A powerful display from a big pack was enough to secure a tie against the losers of today’s meeting of Ardscoil Rís and Glenstal. St Munchin’s get a second chance through the back door against Presentation College who saw off Crescent Comprehensive yesterday.
Christians took the first scoring opportunity through an excellently- judged penalty from out-half Michael O’Halloran.
The Cork side used that score to dominate, a task helped by a powerful scrum and influential contributions from tight head and captain Greg Roche, as well as Evan Mintern and Cian Barry.
Their strength was crucial when Christians forced a turnover in the 20th minute and, from the resultant set piece, Jamie Murphy slipped in for an unconverted try in the corner.
St Munchin’s remained under the cosh and couldn’t get a break — Peter Meyer’s penalty smashed off an upright and went dead.
The powerful home pack strengthened their grip and the Limerick side were under fierce pressure.
The 8-0 advantage Christians’ enjoyed at the break did not reflect their physical or territorial superiority. Although facing into a wind, Christians continued to dominate but their handling was poor and they conceded too many turnovers.
St Munchin’s got into the game when Meyer opened their scoring with a successful kick in the 47th minute. That set the scene for an interesting finish.
O’Hanlon missed a penalty as Munchin’s pressed. However, their brave effort was doomed to failure for they neither had the forward resources to apply enough pressure nor the spark of brilliance behind the scrum to turn this one around.
In fact Christians rode out the storm and hit back to get their second try, from second row Evan Mintern, to give them the margin of victory their efforts deserved.
CBC: K Doyle, D Lee, M Clune, P Hyde, B O’Callaghan, M O’Halloran, J Murphy, C Fitzgerald, V O’Brien, G Roche (captain), D Lynch, E Mintern, S O’Hanlon, C Barry, D Walsh.
Replacements: D O’Sullivan for Lee (58), S Kennedy for O’Brien (59).
ST MUNCHIN’S: S Halpin, B Price, J O’Hanlon, D Hynes, S O’Sullivan, D O’Dwyer, A Nunan, J Prendiville, P Meyer, A Sheehy, N Nugent, J Foley, K Browne, J Healy, S O’Dea (captain).
Replacements: D McSweeney for Nunan (50), E Brewett for O’Sullivan (55).
Referee: C Harrington (MAR).
