Munster Schools Junior Cup: CBC navigate way past stubborn Munchin's to reach decider

Sean Lynch, CBC, on the attack against Donnacha McKenna, St Munchin’s Pic: Brendan Gleeson

CBC have booked their spot in the 2024/25 Munster Schools Junior Cup final following a 17-3 victory over St Munchin’s at Thomond Park.

The famed Cork school were made to fight tooth and nail by a fiercely committed Munchin’s effort that eventually fell short.

CBC dominated territory and possession, however, that finally told with two second half tries sealing victory.

Christians made all the running early on with Sean Riordan proving to be a constant thorn in the St Munchin’s side. The CBC winger made several early darts, the highlight being a 50 metre gallop in the third minute.

Each CBC attack was met with stern defence from the Munchin’s defence with Stephen Bisette and Bobby Meagher doing impressive work at the breakdown.

CBC were dominant in the opening 20 minutes, despite playing against an ever-stiffening breeze.

However, each attack was repelled by a resolute Munchin’s defensive effort. Again, it was the influential Bisette that won a turnover penalty.

Rossa Kinirons thought he was in for the opening try on 18 minutes but a last dash James O’Callaghan tackle forced a knock on close to the line.

Christians captain Louis Carroll also came close to scoring for his side but lost possession on the Munchins' line.

The deadlock was broken on 27 minutes in bizarre circumstances after a Harry Quinlan penalty went wide right.

The attempted clearance was skewed and O’Callaghan was blown up for fielding the kick from an offside position.

CBC went for a quick tap and Carroll touched down in the left corner to put his side 5-0 ahead. Quinlan’s conversion crashed off the post.

Munchin’s replied almost immediately through a Donnacha McNamara penalty from 30 metres that saw the gap back to two points at half time.

Christians wasted no time in adding to their lead at the resumption with just two minutes played when they struck again.

They opted for a tap penalty after a Munchin’s lineout infringement and when the ball was moved right, full back Hugo Downey was on hand to cross for their second try. Quinlan added the conversion to put his side 12-3 clear.

Carroll was then on the mark on 40 minutes once again when he spotted a rare gap in the Munchin’s defence and powered through to get the all-important clinching score that topped off an impressive performance by Christians.

CBC: H Downey; J Earle, R Kinirons, S Lynch, S Riordan; H Quinlan, T Murphy; C Murphy, J Punch, D Field; C Kelly, A Maher; L Carroll, C McCabe, R McElwaine.

Replacements: D Caren, L Daly, C Coyne, S Butler, D Sheehan, H Lowry-Machie, M Murphy, M O’Riordan, R Ring, J Twomey.

St Munchin’s: A Murphy; J O’Callaghan, A Fennel, D Mullane, D Burton; D McKenna, S Frost; N O’Connor, S McGlynn, H Awaga; R O’Brien, S Williamson; D Giltenane, S Bisette, B Meagher.

Replacements: R Sheehy-McGrath, C Doran, R Ward, A Cowhey, E McNamara, A Kenny, P Jackman, J Goode, P Landers, J McDonagh.

Referee: A Aherne (MAR).