Disappointment in defeat for Tipperary school on Munster Schools Junior Cup debut

Munster Schools Junior Cup Round 1

Glenstal Abbey 34 High School CBS 8

Clonmel High School’s Under 16 rugby team travelled to University of Limerick’s 4G pitch on Friday to play the Munster Schools Junior Cup first round match against Glenstal Abbey. Despite an excellent first half performance from our team, Glenstal won the game with a strong second half.

The match kicked off in cold but sunny conditions in front of a sizeable crowd of supporters. The High School began well with some smart play, using the breeze to pin Glenstal in their half. Conall Morrisson at outhalf was finding space for Rian Galko, Anthony Fitzgerald, Alex Pyke and Cody Lee in the back line to attack.

The match ebbed and flowed, with both defences countering the other’s attack. The first score came after 23 minutes when the High School was awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Morrisson converted the kick to put the High School 3-0 ahead.
In the last play of the half, Glenstal won a lineout in the High School 22 and squeezed over for a try in the corner, it has to be said against the run of play. The conversion was missed to leave Glenstal ahead 5-3 at the break.

The next score was crucial but unfortunately it was Glenstal who kicked a penalty for a ruck infringement to extend their lead 8-5.

Minutes later Glenstal scored their second try in the corner and kicked the conversion to put them 15-5 ahead.
The wind picked up and Glenstal pressed home their advantage by kicking deep into the High School 22. The pressure mounted, as the High School found it difficult to establish good field position. High School continued to work hard with strong carries from PJ Walsh, Michael Murray, Rian Galko and Anthony Fitzgerald.

Glenstal’s defence was up to the task. In a 15-minute spell they scored three more tries in the corner to put the game beyond the High School.

The Clonmel High School team who made school history when competing in the first round proper of the Munster Schools Junior Cup competition last Friday.

However, the High School showed tremendous character by not giving up. They worked their way up the pitch and won a linout in the Glenstal 22. Several phases of good play by Sean Delahunty, Natan Gucwa and James Blanchfield allowed captain Mbekezeli Masuku to score a very good try.

Minutes later the referee blew the full time whistle.

It was a very brave performance from the High School and credit must be given to the entire panel for their efforts to reach the Junior Cup and be ranked as one of the top ten Junior teams in Munster.

The experience will stand to the High School boys, many of whom were involved in the Under 15 McCarthy Cup win before Christmas, so hopefully we will see them back contesting the Junior Cup again next year.
We wish Glenstal Abbey well in the next round. The High School will now turn their attentions to a Mungret Shield quarter final at home to Midleton College after the mid-term break.

High School team: Sean Delahunty, Jack Duggan, Jakub Prazan, Michael Murray, PJ Walsh, Alex O’Keeffe, Sam Normile, Mbekezeli Masuku (captain), Junior Da Silva, Conall Morrisson, Alex Pyke, Rian Galko, Anthony Fitzgerald, Cody Lee, Aidan McMaugh.
Reserves: Takky Ibrahim, Patrick Normile, James Blanchfield, Natan Gucwa, Jack Fitzpatrick, Olan Doocey, Conor Williams, David Ryan, Jerome Phelan, Jack O’Brien, Darragh Dempsey, Sebastian Baniak, Seb Hopkins, Michael Maher, Tony O’Brien, Aaron Egan, Gavin Mahony, Corey McKenna, Sean Woods, Jaden Doolan, Jamie Cahill, Dylan Lafford.

Fixtures
Friday, January 26, Under 15 Cleary Cup: High School CBS v Coláiste Dún Iascaigh, Cahir at High School 4G pitch, 1pm.
Wednesday, February 21, Under 16 Mungret Shield quarter final: High School CBS v Midleton College at High School 4G pitch, 1pm (TBC).