Munster Schools Senior Cup: St Munchin's seal quarter-final berth after dramatic victory over Ardscoil Rís

Munchin's came back from a 27-14 half-time deficit to set up another all-Limerick tie against Castletroy College in the last eight.

St Munchin's College are through to the last eight. Pic: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Munster Schools Senior Cup: St Munchin's College 28 Ardscoil Rís 27

St Munchin’s College are into the Munster Schools Senior Cup quarter-finals following a dramatic 28-27 victory over Ardscoil Rís at Thomond Park.

They came back from a 27-14 half-time deficit to set up another all-Limerick tie against Castletroy College in the last eight.

Tries from David Geoghegan and Adam O’Shaughnessy and two conversions by Oisin Madden saw Munchin’s to a stunning win.

O’Shaughnessy opened the scoring in the fourth minute after he dotted down following a devastating maul with Madden providing the conversion.

Ardscoil got back on level terms midway through the half with Ryan McCormack powering over following Ollie Desmond’s pass close to the Munchin’s line. Desmond added the extras to square the game.

The North Circular Road school then hit the front with full-back Daniel O’Connell scoring after slick hands from Desmond and McCormack.

A third try in the space of seven minutes followed after Daniel Collins ran all of 80 metres after an interception. Desmond converted to put Ardscoil 12 points clear.

However, Munchin’s were soon back in the game thanks to their captain Kalum Kirwan, who touched down after a slick lineout move. Madden’s conversion saw the score 19-14 in the run up to half time.

Desmond responded with a penalty for his side and there was still time for another Ardscoil try and it was a beauty. O’Connell beat three attempted tackles in his own ’22 before offloading possession to McCormack.

The ball found its way out to Collins, who chipped through for Cathal O’Doherty to finish off a sensational team move and give his side a 13-point half-time advantage.

Tries were harder to come by in an equally entertaining second half. However it was Munchin’s that managed to nab two to secure victory.

First came Geoghegan’s off another well-worked lineout and Madden’s sensational touchline conversion putting just six points between the teams.

The crucial score came on 68 minutes with Munchin’s taking advantage of successive penalties to make their way to the Ardscoil ’22.

A tap penalty from Kirwan nearly worked but patience prevailed with O’Shaughnessy scoring under the posts after a barrelling run close to the line.

Madden’s conversion was his most straightforward of the afternoon and gave St Munchin’s the most dramatic of victories.

St Munchin’s College: A McGlynn; R Angley, B Minogue, G O’Brien; O Madden, D Dillon; K Kirwan, A O’Shaughnessy, D Geoghegan; J Meaney, A Acton-Quinn; B Carr, P Dowling, C Grace.

Replacements: M Landers, D Colgan, D Fogarty, C Hannon, E Coughlan, A Burke, P O’Driscoll, T Williams, J Arenhold, J Browne.

Ardscoil Rís: D O’Connell; N Jagana, R McCormack, J Thorne, D Collins; J Butler, O Desmond; J Kelly, D Salmon, D Leydon; M Browne, B O’Loughlin; M Collins, F Bell, C O’Doherty.

Replacements: M Glennon, J Hartigan, D Geaney, C Boyle, P Oyedeji, T Maher, L O’Flanagan, P McDonagh, P Gleeson, D Quirke.

Referee: F Brislane (MAR)