CBC Monkstown 22 St Vincent’s Castleknock College 12
CBC Monkstown will face Newbridge College in the Leinster Schools Senior Cup quarter-finals after recording a deserved opening round victory against St Vincent’s Castleknock College at Energia Park in Donnybrook on Friday afternoon.
Despite failing to take advantage of an earlier set-piece move, it was Castleknock who took the lead in the fourth minute after inside centre Sam Wisniewski opted for touch off a penalty. Joint-captain Danny Ruane latched on to the back of an ensuing lineout maul to touch down in clinical style.
Ruane couldn’t add the bonuses to his own score, however, and Castleknock subsequently had their lead wiped out on 11 minutes. Matching the efforts of his opposite number, Monkstown number eight Charlie Meagher superbly powered over the whitewash for an unconverted try.
While Monkstown seemingly suffered a setback when blindside flanker Liam Guckian was sent to the sin-bin, they found themselves in the ascendancy upon his return thanks to hooker Luan Moloney’s maul finish on 22 minutes.
CBC were attacking their fellow Dublin school with real confidence and a third try courtesy of lock Rory Balmaine just shy of the half-hour propelled them towards a commanding 15-5 interval cushion.
This left their opponents facing an uphill task on the resumption, but Castleknock received a lifeline on the third-quarter mark. Following a sustained spell of attacking pressure, Peter McEntegart burst over for a five-pointer that was supplemented by a conversion from his midfield partner Wisniewski.
The momentum appeared to be with ‘Knock at this point, but a resolute Monkstown dug deep to deny them attacking territory. Another kick to touch in the closing minutes then edged CBC back into the 22 and when ‘Knock were adjudged to have collapsed a scrum, they were awarded a penalty try that ultimately confirmed their spot in the last eight.
SCORERS – CBC Monkstown: C Meagher, L Moloney, R Balmaine try each, penalty try. St Vincent’s Castleknock College: D Ruane, P McEntegart try each, S Wisniewski con.
CBC MONKSTOWN: D Killeen; S Greany, M Quinn, A Fitzsimmons Nolan, C Traynor Russell; R Mahon, E O’Hanlon; D McGovern, L Moloney, A Bolton; R Balmaine, T Chadwick; L Guckian, L Cahill, C Meagher.
Replacements: N O Campo for Meagher (48 mins); C O’Donnell for Cahill (60); C O’Toole for McGovern (68).
ST VINCENT’S CASTLEKNOCK COLLEGE: B Elliott; D Enright, P McEntegart, S Wisniewski, A Tilly; R O’Connor, L Donohue; R Niland, M Lavelle, B Dowling; C Boyle, W Khwaja; B Foley, C Lennon, D Ruane.
Replacements: O Malone for Foley (32 mins); M Kennedy for Ruane (57); E Brady for O’Connor (65); E Shanahan for Lavelle, C Barrett for Niland (both 68).
Referee: G Sheridan (Leinster Rugby).