Crescent College advance in Munster Schools Junior Cup after narrow win against Glenstal Abbey
Crescent College Comprehensive will face Bandon Grammar School in the second round of the Munster Schools Junior Cup. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Crescent College Comprehensive advanced to the next round of the Munster Schools Junior Cup following a tense 15-14 victory over Glenstal Abbey at Thomond Park.
Both sides struggled in the opening quarter to get any meaningful attacks going with Cooper Jackson, Conal Rowan and Shen Wang impressing for Glenstal, while Ollie Cantrell, David Kidney and Cian Robertson were prominent for Crescent.
It was Crescent that broke the deadlock on 15 minutes. Glenstal were pinged for being ahead of the kicker for Rowan’s clearance from inside his own ‘22 and his opposite number Eoghan Hogan nailed the resultant penalty from 20 metres.
The concession of that penalty seemed to wake Glenstal Abbey up and they took full advantage when Crescent number eight David Fitzpatrick was shown a yellow card due to the teams’ persistent offside penalties.
Glenstal opted for a scrum and after another penalty, Hugh McGuirk powered through a couple of would be tacklers to score the opening try. Rowan added the extras to put his side 7-3 in front.
However, it was to be a short-lived advantage for Glenstal as Crescent hit back before the break through a try from their captain Robertson, who went over from close range.
Glenstal were architects of their own misfortune after being blown up for a third time in the half for being ahead of the kicker.
Crescent wasted no time in taking advantage with a slick lineout move seeing Fitzpatrick charge towards the Glenstal line.
Isaac Killing came close to scoring but was held just short with Robertson touching down from the next phase. Hogan’s conversion saw the score at 10-7 in Crescent’s favour at half time.
Crescent enhanced their advantage 10 minutes into the second half with Danny Fitzpatrick scoring their second try.
Again, David Fitzpatrick was central to the score with another big carry off a lineout move seeing Crescent deep into Glenstal territory.
Killing and David Kidney were next to move close to the line along with Robertson and Adam Bennett. Danny Fitzpatrick was the man to score and put Crescent 15-7 ahead.
Glenstal responded with five minutes remaining thanks to Hugh McGuirk again and Rowan’s resultant conversion but it was Crescent that held on for a one-point victory.
A Bennett; G Hickey, D Fitzpatrick, C Robertson, D Sheehan; E Hogan, O Cantrell; D Donoghue, H O’Dwyer, S Allen; F Slattery-Coll, C Kilroy; D Kidney, S Ryan, D Fitzpatrick.
D Quinn, C McNamara, I Killing, J Kelly, M O’Riordan, F Bromell, D Fitzgerald, H O’Connor, D Mullins, S McMahon.
E Henry; S Wang, M Owens, J Frawley, L Xuan; C Rowan, M McClosky; A Russell, B O’Sullivan, C Jackson; D Nicholas, C Davern; H McGuirk, F Muhtaseb, D Burtwell.
J Lin, S McAllister, S Paulin, JJ Power, E Cuddigan, R Brennan, O Stack, M Leahy, H O’Riordan, N Rocetta.
J Lillis (MAR).
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