Battling Rockwell celebrate 25th title

The joyful scenes that greeted Rockwell’s 25th Munster Senior Schools Cup victory at Thomond Park yesterday had as much to do with relief as the realisation they had secured their first back-to-back trophies in over 50 years.

It was a final of average quality, but it was one of huge intensity, with thrilling moments and close calls before a gallant St Munchin’s side finally ran out of time in their brave bid for glory.

As Rockwell set off to hail their vociferous supporters, the sight of prostate bodies on the ground was the obvious show of bitter disappointment with inches twice coming between St Munchin’s and a shock result. The Corbally outfit narrowly failed to convert the only try of this intense game and were then penalised for a double movement on the Rockwell line late in the game, just when it seemed captain Lee Nicholas had scored.