Rockwell College fell short in agonising fashion to Cork school CBC in Munster Cup semi-final

Munster Junior Schools Rugby Cup Semi-Final

Christian Brothers College, Cork 26

Rockwell College 15

By Tom Clancy

There was semi-final heartbreak for Rockwell College in the Munster Junior Schools Cup semi-final, following a late flurry from Christian Brothers College, Cork, at Fethard Town Park.

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Despite tries from Fabian Shiel, Jack Landy and Ethan Kendrick in the opening half, Rockwell were unable to build on this, as the school continues to hunt a first Junior Cup crown since 2019.

The powerful CBC outfit finished strongly as tries from Henry Hussey and Theo Murphy saw them eclipse the narrow lead held by the Tipperary school for a long-spell.

After last weeks heroics against PBC, also of Cork, Rockwell were hoping to repeat the trick, especially when backed by their classmates and family in Fethard.

In a seesaw opening half, both sides held the lead at stages before Rockwell nosed in front 15-12 at the interval.

In a half where both sides had players in the sin-bin it was an early try from Fabian Shiel that was the perfect start for Danny Lambe’s side. They were soon pegged back, however, as  try from Jack Singleton levelled the contest 5-5 after just eight minutes.

Captain Jack Landy was next to find the tryline, in the corner, to give the blue and white the lead once more, after 12 minutes.

Both short a player in the bin, following a flare up, Rockwell lost Daniel Keating to a yellow, just as the sides were returning to fifteen. This coincided with a second try for CBC, as Sean Riordan found his way over.

But by half-time, the impressive Ethan Kendrick had restored the lead, 15-12, as he raced over in the right corner.
However, after a fragmented second half, there was tries from both Theo Murphy and earlier Henry Hussey, both of which were converted by full-back Jack O’Shea.

At the whistle, a 26-15 scoreline felt harsh on Rockwell, who struggled to really create a game winning moment of their own in the second half.  

Rockwell College: Jack O'Shea; Jack Singleton, Sean Riordan, Elliott Dawson; Rory Barry; Shea Lynch, Tiernan Murphy; Caleb Dockray Arundel, Odhran O’Farrell, Billy Hogan, Tom Dineen, JJ McCall, Christophe Murphy, Charlie McElwain, Max McGrath.

Replacements: Harry Hogan, David O'Connor, Tommy Kiely, Jake Varley, Mathew Keane, Adam Lawlor, Henry Harty, Jack Mahony, Theo Murphy, Henry Hussey.

CBC: Jack Landy; Jude Griffin, Seán Mohally, Lucas Guitierrez; David Ahern; Jonty Purcell, Mickey English; Daniel Keating, Jamie Swords, Sam Power, Jude McGarry, James Julian, Fabian Sheil, David McCarthy, Ethan Kendrick.

Replacements: Eoin Neville, Rory Everard, Will Tuohy, Jonathan Tung, Michael O’Mahony, Alexjandro Marigomez, Marko Vukevic, Patrick O’Callaghan, Will Riordan, Gavin Fitzgerald.

Referee: Michael Reidy (MAR)

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