Munster Schools Junior Cup: Bandon Grammar reach first-ever final
Bandon Grammar School’s Mark Whelton celebrates. Pic: /Laszlo Geczo/Inpho
Bandon Grammar School have made history by qualifying for their first-ever major final with a hard-fought three-point Junior Cup victory over Rockwell College at Fethard Town Park.
In a game dictated by a strong wind, the Grammar would’ve been more than satisfied to go in just 7-5 behind at half-time, thanks to Alexander Bramoullé’s try.
It came down to their powerful maul, which did so much damage to eliminate three-in-a-row champions PBC, to make the ultimate difference as Alex Coleman touched down for the insurance score.
They held out despite a Luke Thompson try and eight minutes of added time to advance to the Junior Cup final against CBC at Musgrave Park on Wednesday, March 26.
Rockwell, who were last champions in 2019, had made a healthy habit of seeing out close contests, with all four of their victories coming by one score, but they fell just short here.
A high tackle presented them with a penalty inside the opening minute but Cameron Fitzpatrick pushed his effort wide.
When they came again off an advancing line-out maul, Jamie Hicks’ dominant tackle knocked the ball loose.
The wind and a couple of line-out steals made it hard for Bandon to exit their half. Even when they did, they weren’t safe.
From a kick ahead, Joe O’Donovan collected the ball and skipped past two defenders before leaving a third for dead with a wicked sidestep. Backed onto the touchline, he chipped forward and acrobatically gathered to tumble over the line. Fitzpatrick perfectly judged the tricky left-footed conversion for 7-0.
Another Hicks turnover led to Bandon’s first 22 entry where they earned a penalty. Hicks’ kick had the distance but not the accuracy.
It worked out well for them from the 22-metre drop-out. Bramoullé made a major burst forward, captain Mark Whelton broke a tackle, and the skip pass back out wide sent Bramoullé into the corner. Hicks’ conversion was held up in the wind.
The remainder of the half belonged to Bandon. They forced a couple more penalties but couldn’t take advantage from the subsequent line-out or close-range scrum.
Daniel Kent’s turnover tackle created the first Bandon opportunity of the second half but Bramoullé was dragged into touch by a combination of O’Donovan and Seán Mohally.
Rockwell’s line-out took a fourth steal but in the 44th minute, they had David Ahern sin-binned for a high tackle on Christopher Woodland. Hicks slotted the penalty to push them a point up.
In the 50th minute, Bandon earned their cushion. Billy Canniffe punished a Rockwell error with a 50-22 kick and that gave their maul, with Coleman at the back, its moment to shine. Hicks’ conversion made it 15-7.
Rockwell kept fighting and turned down a late penalty to go for the line. The risk paid off as David Hanna drove forward to gain another advantage before Thompson barged across to score.
Fitzpatrick’s conversion missed as Rockwell were left needing to travel the length of the pitch.
Jack Landy’s break into opposition territory provided their best chance but Matthew Buttimer’s breakdown graft prised the turnover penalty. The number eight fell to his knees in celebration.
There was still time for Whelton to pick up a yellow card but his 14 teammates held on for a famous victory.
Tries: J O’Donovan, L Thompson; Con: C Fitzpatrick.
Tries: A Bramoullé, A Coleman; Con: J Hicks; Pen: J Hicks.
J O’Donovan; J Landy (D Ahern 27-50), S Mohally, S Daly (I Ryan 56), L Bergin; C Fitzpatrick, J Cronin; M McCauley (E Kendrick 26), L Thompson (L Kennedy 27-39) (L Kennedy 59), G English; A Sheehy, D McCarthy; D Hanna, T Dunlea, R Carrigan (capt).
L Dukelow; C Woodland, É Burke, J Hicks, A Bramoullé; B Canniffe, D L’Estrange; D Burke (J Canniffe 60+7), A Coleman, B Hayes; I Wade, M Whelton (capt); S Murphy, D Kent; M Buttimer.
F Brislane (MAR).
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