Tipperary school's rugby teams enjoy rewarding day in Limerick

Clonmel High School 41 Glenstal Abbey 33

On Wednesday last Clonmel High School’s Under 15 rugby team travelled to the sprawling campus of Glenstal Abbey, next to the village of Murroe in east Limerick, to play their latest McCarthy Cup match.

The High School used their considerable size advantage to good effect in the first half. Flanker Sam Power was very impressive and he opened the High School’s account with a fine try under the posts. He duly added the conversion to put the High School 7-0 ahead.

The improving cohesion between backs and forwards is due in no small part due to the performance of scrum half Enaitz O’Donovan Garrido and outhalf Kayden O’Meara. This allowed centre Sean Callery to score two quick tries. Power added one conversion to put the High School in the lead by 19-0.

Glenstal scored a try just before half-time to leave the score 19-7 at the break.

The second half was a try fest. Sean Callery scored his hat-trick shortly after the restart following a line break in midfield. Power kicked the conversion to push the High School 26-7 ahead.

Captain Tony O’Brien led by example, making several big carries and his hard work was rewarded with a very good try to extend his team’s lead to 31-7.

Glenstal battled their way back into the match with two tries to reduce the deficit to 31-21. The High School replied with O’Brien’s second try and Callery’s fourth try to push the Clonmel school’s lead back out to 41-21.

There were several notable performances on the High School team. Eddie Lawless had a great game in the front row, with Blyce Baguio and Jack Lynch.

Finn Murphy and Kenzie Whelan worked very hard in the second row while flanker Cody O’Neill Crotty was industrious in the back row with Power and O’Brien.

Centre Bohdan Chumakov made several powerful line breaks while the back three of Kaine Tobin, Daniel Hogan and Olivers Skudrins were equal to what Glenstal threw at them.

The High School bench made an impact in the second half with Rory O’Dwyer, James Carroll, Alex Byrne, Sean Ryan, Kyle O’Connor, Dara O’Flaherty, Jack Kearney, Daniel Fahey, Riley Lacey and Kealan Lee all making positive contributions.
Glenstal rallied to score two late tries.

Overall this was a great result for the High School boys and marks another step in their progression as a team. They can prepare with confidence as they host Villiers on the High School pitch next Tuesday.

High School: Olivers Skudrins, Kaine Tobin, Daniel Hogan, Bohdan Chumakov, Sean Callery, Kayden O’Meara, Enaitz O’Donovan Garrido, Tony O’Brien (captain), Sam Power, Cody O’Neill Crotty, Finn Murphy, Kenzie Whelan, Jack Lynch, Eddie Lawless, Blyce Baguio, Rory O’Dwyer, James Carroll, Alex Byrne, Daniel Fahey, Dara O’Flaherty, Sean Ryan, Jack Kearney, Kyle O’Connor, Riley Lacey, Kealan Lee, Cillian Flavin.

Under 14 Friendly
High School CBS v Glenstal Abbey
by Con O’Sullivan

The High School Under 14 rugby team returned victorious from Co Limerick having played Glenstal Abbey last Wednesday.

The panel of 22 team members made the journey and every player was fully involved. Two matches were played, with the panel broken by random selection into two teams of eleven players. The emphasis was on playing as a team, supporting play in the loose and passing the ball throughout the team.

Both High School teams performed well, with plenty of tries being scored on both sides. The occasion helped players to recognise the importance of good rucking systems and purposeful support play in the loose. We encourage all eligible players to turn out for practice on Tuesday after school.

Special thanks are extended to John Dillon (parent) for training this team on Tuesdays and taking time out from work to direct the team during the match.

Special thanks also to TY students Anthony Fitzgerald, Cody Lee, Mbekezli Masuku, Jack O’Brien and Sam Normile, who stepped up to mentor these teams on Wednesday and coach their play from the sidelines.

High School panel: Jose deSilva, Corey Norris Grigan, Zac Corcoran, Jack Dillon, David Lyons, Charlie Houlihan, Dean Vallo, Daryl Williamson, Ben Franklin, Alex Carney, Fionn Roche, Bradley Connolly, Rory O’Dea, Noah Coffey, Riain Foran, Luke Tobin, Harry Swain, Oskar Moscinski, Darragh Keane, Ciaran Maher, Ryan Hetier.

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