CASTLEKNOCK INTO LAST FOUR OF JUNIOR CUP
Castleknock College booked their place in the Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Schools Junior Cup Semi-Final with a commanding 30-7 win against CBC Monkstown Park at Donnybrook Stadium today.
The two teams were evenly matched on paper, but with powerhouse performances from Luke Callinan and captain Fionn Gibbons driving them forward, ‘Knock progressed in clinical fashion.
Castleknock advanced to the last-eight with an impressive 20-0 opening round success over Gonzaga College at Castle Avenue. Callinan and Gavin Murphy-O’Kane tries ensured that ‘Knock had too much for their Ranelagh counterparts on that occasion, and they were understandably confident of extending their winning run in this re-arranged fixture.
Monkstown were not to be dismissed lightly, though, especially in light of their dramatic victory against Kilkenny College on 8th February. In a titanic battle, a last-minute penalty by Eoin Quinn helped CBC to overcome their Northside opponents with one point to spare (20-19).
Indeed, thanks to some smart tactical kicking from Quinn, they kept Castleknock on the back-foot during the early moments of today’s contest. A driving maul edged Monkstown towards the opposition whitewash, before ‘Knock eventually secured a penalty on their own five-metre line. With both teams coughing up possession in the opening minutes, this had all the makings of a tension-filled affair. ‘Knock scrum-half Conor Duggan looked set to break free on the left-wing from a subsequent attack, but referee Susan Carty called play back for a Monkstown penalty.
However, this was a warning sign for the south Dublin outfit, who ultimately faced into a five-point deficit at the end of the first-quarter. Like Quinn before him, Castleknock’s Oran Farrell kicked his long-distance penalty to touch in the 11th-minute. This proved to be a shrewd decision by the full-back, as they comfortably secured the ensuing line-out on the right-hand side. The play was eventually switched to the far flank, where the influential Callinan was released by winger Shane Duggan for a simple finish in the corner.
Farrell’s tricky conversion was wide of the mark, but with their tails now up, Castleknock quickly doubled their lead. After lock Senan Forker was held up underneath the posts, the leaders were awarded an attacking scrum.
Following excellent link-up play between Conor Duggan and half-back partner Alex Watson, Farrell touched down to the right of the posts. His bonus strike rebounded off the upright, much to the relief of the waiting Monkstown players.
In spite of their bright opening to the action, Monkstown were now chasing the game as the interval approached. They briefly threatened to break free of Castleknock’s defensive stranglehold, only to be hit by another sucker punch. Strong approach work from Gibbons brought Castleknock back into the Monkstown 22’, where Shane Duggan once again picked out Callinan on his outside for an unconverted five-pointer.
With a 15-0 buffer at their disposal, Castleknock were odds-on for a place in the penultimate round. They created further daylight between the teams after the break – a routine Farrell penalty offering them their first points off the kicking tee.
Monkstown were now presented with an uphill task, though they deserve great credit for the way they persevered with their challenge.
The introduction of Harry O’Neill and Shane Gevero off the replacements bench provided them with fresh impetus, and they finally opened their account on 41 minutes.
No.8 Jack Reynolds found room to break over on the right flank, with Eoin Quinn’s expert conversion reducing the gap to 11 points (18-7).
This was only a temporary reprieve for Monkstown, however, as Castleknock effectively placed the outcome beyond doubt on the third-quarter mark.
After he picked up possession deep inside the opposing half, Gibbons used all of his considerable strength to power over the line in devastating style. They weren’t finished there either, and for the second game in succession, the durable Murphy-O’Kane added his name to the scoresheet. The openside flanker finished off a lengthy move close to the Monkstown posts, while Farrell made no mistake with his fifth conversion attempt of the tie. CBC pushed hard for a consolation score in the closing stages, but Castleknock’s discipline defence was a significant feature of their game throughout the course of the hour.
They can now look forward to another day out in Donnybrook, as they continue their quest for a ninth title in the Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Junior Schools Cup.
At Donnybrook – Castleknock College 30 (Luke Callinan 2 tries; Oran Farrell try, penalty, conversion; Fionn Gibbons, Gavin Murphy-O’Kane try each); CBC Monkstown 7 (Jack Reynolds try; Eoin Quinn conversion).
Castleknock College: Oran Farrell; Eoin Leen, Fionn Gibbons (captain), Sean Casey, Shane Duggan; Alex Watson, Conor Duggan; John Ozoani, Greg Spillane, Michael Levesley, Donnchadh Lahert, Senan Forker, Alec Birnie, Gavin Murphy-O’Kane, Luke Callinan.
Replacements: Ben Bislin for Ozoani, James Duffy for Birnie, both 53 mins; Cian McIntyre for C Duggan, Blaine Keogh for S Duggan, Oisin Tierney for Gibbons, all 56 mins; Luke Brady for Spillane, John Halpenny for Levesley, Michael Marrinan for Lahert, all 57 mins.
CBC Monkstown: Daniel Heeney; Robert Theunissen, Robbie Browne, Ross Clarke, Adam Moore; Eoin Quinn, Sam Montayne; Conor Lehane, Ruaidhri O’Hanlon, Josh Curran, Ben Hickey, Sean Comiskey, Finn Calverly, Hugh Ross, Jack Reynolds.
Replacements: Harry O’Neill for Hickey, Shane Gevero for Theunissen, both 36 mins; Daniel McGovern for Montayne, 42 mins; Diarmuid O Suilleabhain for Lehane, Ewan Watson for Clarke, both 53 mins; Hayden Hempenstall for O’Hanlon, David McNamee for Comiskey, Steven Ryan for Moore, all 59 mins.