Rugby  -  Munster Senior Cup

There was a big upset in the third round of the Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup on Friday 23rd January when our senior team defeated favourites Glenstal Abbey. Bandon started brightly and after nine minutes a garryowen from out half Darren Sweetnam was knocked on by Glenstal fullback Andrew Moloney, gathered by Bandon centre Conor Stallard, who galloped from the ten metre line to beat the cover and score a fine try.  Sweetnam converted from a difficult angle to make the score 7 – 0 to Bandon.  Glenstal responded with a flurry of attacks through backs and forwards combining well but could find no way through the well organised home defence. Conor Kearns of Glenstal finally registered a score  from a penalty for the visitors on the half hour but Bandon struck back almost immediately with a long range penalty from Darren Sweetnam to make it 10 – 3.  Glenstal went for a try before half time but ferocious tackling held them out only to yield a penalty in front of the posts as half time beckoned.  Amazingly and to the great delight of home fans Conor Kearns scuffed the kick wide !

Glenstal kept possession well for long periods of the second half and forced three penalties in succession while Conor Stallard served ten minutes in the ‘sinbin’.  Kearns edged Glenstal into the lead 12-10 entering the last quarter. This sparked the Bandon pack back into action with a solid scrum and fine lineout possession from Henry Travers and Andrew Tanner.  Captain James Bendon and his fellow back row Sam Hunter had storming games turning over a lot of ball in contact.  They forced a penalty with just 15 minutes to go barely inside the Glenstal half. Sweetnams beautiful strike dropped on the bar and bounced over to restore the lead 13-12.  Bandon gathered from the restart and put prolonged pressure on their opponents line.  Glenstal eventually lifted the siege in injury time and got a penalty wide on the right on the ten metre lline.  Kearns missed but from the restart referee C. McTaggart again penalised Bandon at a ruck. This kick was from a better angle but again Kearns pulled his kick well wide of the target and home celebrations could begin.

The Bandon front row Scott Kingston, Derek Boyd and Sam McElroy had a particularly fine game while second row David Reynolds and No. 8 Henry Travers were outstanding in the loose serving along with the excellent wing forwards.  Scrum half Jack Robinson gave his backs excellent ball but out half Darren Sweetnam took ‘Man of the Match’ credits with a towering performance showing all the skills.

Bandon will next play Castletroy College, Limerick in a quarter final of the competition.

Bandon Grammar School :  C. Pullin, C. Moloney, C. Stallard, W. Godsil, R. Skuse, D. Sweetnam, J. Robinson, S. Kingston, N. Willoughby, S. McElroy, D. Reynolds, A. Tanner, S. Hunter, J. Bendon (Capt), H. Travers.

Glenstal Abbey:  A. Moloney, B. Connors, H. Byrne, D. Costello, P. Barrett, C. Kearns, T. Crotty, D. O’Callaghan, D. Healy, N.Frisby, P. Deignan, M. Allen, J. Murray, I. McCarthy, L. Mungovan


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