‘Slievenamon' gets an airing in Bantry as Tipperary school record win in U-19 Mungret Cup

Under 19 Mungret Cup Rugby

COLAISTE POBAL BANTRY 18 CLONMEL HIGH SCHOOL 20

On Thursday last week our U19 team made the long trek to Bantry in West Cork to play the latest round of the Mungret Cup. Despite the best efforts of Coláiste Pobal, geography and the weather, the High School secured a famous win on Bantry’s new school rugby pitch and Slievenamon was sung with gusto after the final whistle by the boys in black and red.

The High School began well and dominated possession and territory as our forwards carried hard. However, we conceded some soft penalties, one of which was converted. Minutes later, a loose kick was gathered by the Bantry full back and he scored a great individual try beating several High School defenders.

The High School composed themselves and worked their way back up the pitch with big carries from David Coyne, Luke Slattery and Jack Lane. Coyne crashed over in the corner to open the High School's account and reducing Bantry’s lead to 8-5.
However, another loose kick from the High School 22 handed another try to Bantry under the posts. The conversion extended their lead to 15-5 at the break.

The High School pushed on for another score early in the second half. Jaydn Mullery, Daniel Buckley and Sam Maher carried and tackled well in the backs. Alex Slattery obliged scoring a fine try after working very hard throughout the match.
Midway through the second half, High School captain Liam Maher scored the High School’s third try to tie the game 15 all. This was a proper reward for several fine line breaks Maher made on the day.

Bantry battled back up the pitch and were awarded a penalty which was converted to push them back in the lead 18-15.
With minutes left on the clock, the High School got good field position following a penalty. The ensuing lineout maul was stopped a metre from the line. Up stepped David Coyne to crash over for his second try of the day to retake the lead for the High School 20-18. They held on to win a famous victory at the West Cork school which helped to shorten the long journey back home.