'We’re weirdly happy': Munchin’s battle back to force Junior Cup final replay with CBC

CBC forwards coach Jack Lonergan said the trip to Limerick for the replay will be tough but also exciting

CBC had led 12-0 in the Munster Schools Junior Cup final against St Munchn's following Rory Barry's try and Shea Lynch's conversion. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Munster Schools Junior Cup final: CBC 12 St Munchin’s 12 

St Munchin’s charged back from 12 points down as Dara Giltinane’s try and Jack Goode’s conversion sent this Munster Schools Junior Cup final against CBC to a replay.

When these two schools were last slated to meet in a Junior Cup final, covid intervened and the title was shared. Both were seeking to bridge that six-year gap for silverware. Both will be left waiting until after the Easter break for another day out in Limerick.

“It's a strange one. We're weirdly happy,” said Munchin’s head coach James O’Neill. “I'd say Christians are a bit more disappointed than us. It was there for them.

“Christians were really good. Their line-out went really well. I thought we'd get a bit more change there and we didn't.

“We were probably a little bit off it. A few silly errors, a few mistakes, and I just felt like not a lot was going our way. So we’ll definitely take the draw and move on. The never-ending season continues.” 

Between now and then, some Easter holiday plans may have to be cancelled in both camps.

“It's a strange feeling. We don't really know how to feel,” said CBC forwards coach Jack Lonergan. “We were just saying to the lads there, we're back in a final. It's going to be tough to go down to Limerick. But exciting. We have to build up that buzz again.

“We played very well in the first half. The second half probably got away from us a little bit. Just couldn't get into any strike plays. Munchin’s did well in nullifying our attack.

“Delighted for the lads that they were able to put in a performance like that, but disappointed that we're coming away without the cup.” 

Christians got off to a dream start to take a 12-point lead in as many minutes. Both came from launch plays carbon-copied off the training ground onto a blustery Virgin Media Park.

From a midfield scrum, Tiernan Murphy conducted a loop move to get away down the right wing. His offload found the support run of Jack Singleton, who dashed over to score. Shea Lynch’s conversion came up short into the wind.

Then, from a line-out outside their own 22, Seán Riordan’s super one-handed offload while falling created the chance for Lynch to get around the edge. Once he gave it to Rory Barry, the winger steamed down the left, raising his arm in celebration before touching down. Lynch’s conversion made it 12-0.

Munchin’s maul was their key weapon, one which Christians were keen to avoid and disrupt at every opportunity. Eventually, it couldn’t be stopped with Caleb Crofton-O’Riordan breaking away to barge over. Goode’s conversion missed.

Miraculous Munchin’s defence kept them in touch at half-time. Barry handed off two defenders, but just as he crossed the line, the tenacious Rory Jones recovered to poke the ball loose. The deficit remained 12-5 at the break.

Giltinane came close to a Munchin’s try, only to be turned back by Lynch. Then, a chaotic Munchin’s maul produced a key win in the 51st minute. Christians sought to avoid engaging. Munchin’s were deemed to have drawn them in. Once the maul collapsed, Tommy Kiely was sin-binned.

“On another day, maybe with another ref, there was a couple of times in the second half where I thought maybe it was a truck and trailer. Look, you never know. That was just my feeling on it,” said Lonergan.

Up against 14, two Munchin’s mauls were stopped, but they pounded away until Giltinane angled in from the centre to bash over. Goode converted and there was nothing to separate the sides across the final five minutes, plus six more of stoppage time.

Scorers for CBC: Tries: J Singleton, R Barry; Con: S Lynch. 

Scorers for St Munchin’s: Tries: C Crofton-O’Riordan, D Giltinane; Con: J Goode.

CBC: Theo Murphy (J Singleton 60+4); J Singleton (H Hussey 58), S Riordan, E Dawson, R Barry; S Lynch, Tiernan Murphy; C Dockray-Arundel (D O’Connor 34), O O’Farrell, B Hogan (T Kiely 46) (H Hogan 58); JJ McCall (J Varley 60-60+1), J Varley (T Dineen 51); C Murphy (A Lawlor 16-h-t, 50), C McElwain, M McGrath.

ST MUNCHIN’S: O Madden; A O’Brien, D Giltinane, C Angley, R Jones; J Goode, L Kiely; H Awaga, C Crofton-O’Riordan (P Landers 46), E Stokes; P Hennelly, D Meaney (N O’Connor 37); A Cowhey, C Doran (T Eales 60+1), A White.

Referee: F Brislane (MAR).