Formidable Munchin’s pack will take stopping

The first of the two all-Limerick SEAT Munster Schools Senior Cup semi-finals features St Munchin’s and Ardscoil Rís at Grove Island, Corbally today.

Munchin’s drew (8-8) with PBC at Musgrave Park before defeating Rockwell (23-10) in the quarter-finals. They boast a powerful pack anchored by Ireland U19 international flanker Ben Kilkenny, a nephew of former Ireland captain Keith Wood while out-half Alan Wallace, who kicked 17 points against Rockwell, is another key figure. However, Munster U19 centre Ed O’Keeffe, who picked up an injury at the weekend, will be a major loss.

Ardscoil Rís produced one of the most courageous performances in the competition when protecting a two point advantage under fierce pressure against CBC in the a thrilling quarter-final.

Main man in their 22-20 victory was international full-back Stephen Fitzgerald who scored a magnificent try and whose outstanding all-round game has him down as a star of the future.

Meanwhile Friday’s second semi-final between Castletroy and Crescent has been switched from Rosbrien to Tom Clifford Park.

ST MUNCHIN’S: B Price; M Devanney, R Meagher, S Halpin, S Doona; A Wallace, B Bennett; P Meyer, L O’Halloran capt, B Keogh, D Begley, N Nugent, T O’Dwyer, B Kilkenny, J Foley.

Replacements: C Wells, J Prendiville, A Moloney, L O’Dwyer, S Collins, A Guerin, J O’Curry, K Stephanson.

ARDSCOIL RÍS: S Fitzgerald; B Moriarty, P McNamara, J O’Donnell, L Brock; D O’Mahony, D Scannell, K Bracken, S Fention, T Walsh, D Ryan, P Staff, J Cannon, J McCabe, K Brown.

Replacements: T Chan, P Lyons, A Coffey, B O’Byrne, D McMahon, H Bourke, J Walshe, L White, C Cusack, R Graham.