McMahon sweats on tour spot

Devastated at his team’s shock defeat to Crescent in yesterday’s Munster Schools Senior Cup final at Thomond Park, young Rockwell full back Steve McMahon faces a traumatic 24 hours as he sweats on his availability for an Irish overseas tour.

McMahon was shown a red card for a tip tackle on Crescent centre William Leonard and it could cost him a place in Ireland’s U19 squad to participate in the FIRA Championships in Grenoble, the team due to leave for France tomorrow.

McMahon’s fate hinges on a report from referee Kieran Barry and the verdict of a disciplinary committee that has been appointed to meet today.

At least the timing of the meeting will be some consolation to the youngster as the committee, depending on the referee’s report, might well find the red card was enough punishment for the talented youngster and give him with enough time to link up with Ireland.

There would be a measure of sympathy for McMahon, who has no track record of foul play.

Rockwell, denied the three-in-a-row by a determined Crescent, were playing down the significance of the incident in relation to the outcome of the result.

Coach Mark Butler figured the Limerick school were already on their way to the a tenth title when McMahon was sent off.

“We have no complaints whatever about the outcome, they were a lot more clinical in the first half, the red card I don’t think had a bearing on the game,” he said. “I think Crescent had their lead established by then and as well as attacking us they also defended extremely well.

“Full credit to Crescent, but I was also proud of our guys who fought until the end, we had quite a young side out to finish up with and they showed great character.”

Crescent’s Conal Doyle was ecstatic, pointing to a flawless all-round performance and the contribution of out-half and skipper Gearóid Lyons.

“Everything clicked for us today, I think Gearóid particularly was superb for us, he kept the scoreboard ticking over and it’s not an easy thing to do under such pressure. It’s very hard for an opposition team when they see somebody nailing kicking chances like that all the time, but for our guys it was a huge lift.

“Overall, he and Gary [Fitzgerald] at nine were exceptional, I suppose all the backs did all the right things.”

The forwards, and particularly the back row?

“You know yourself, the forwards win the game for you in a sense, they won the battle up front and did everything they were required to do. Everyone, including the lads off the bench, contributed.”