HOLDERS Crescent College Comprehensive advanced to the semi-finals of the Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup thanks to a hard-fought 18-23 win over Ardscoil Rís in Thomond Park yesterday.
Crescent took an early lead through prop Mark Fitzgerald who crossed for the opening try of the game, which was converted by Eoin O’Callaghan.
Ardscoil responded with a try from Joe Costelloe who crossed in the corner.
The North Circular Road school then hit the front thanks to a try from Alan Fitzgerald, converted by Aaron Byrnes. That 12-7 lead was reduced when O’Callaghan knocked over a penalty for Crescent. Ardscoil were 12-10 to the good at the break.
An O’Callaghan penalty on the resumption of the second half put Crescent 13-12 ahead and it would be a lead they would not relinquish.
Crescent went further ahead with a try from Joe McEnery which was converted by O’Callaghan before back-to-back penalties from Byrnes left just two points between the sides with Crescent leading 20-18 entering the final minutes of an exciting contest.
However, the comeback stopped there as Crescent landed another penalty which secured the win and now the reigning champions will look forward to a meeting with CBC in two weeks’ time.
The other semi-final involves St Munchin’s and PBC, who were comfortable victors against Rockwell College in yesterday’s other quarter-final.
Both semis take place in two weeks’ time.
Ardscoil Rís: Harry Cowton, Joshua Dillon, Sam Brown, Alan Roche, Alan Fitzgerald, Aaron Byrnes, Evin Crowe; Joe Costelloe, Aaron McNamara, Emmet Calvey, Matthew Danaher, Samuel Connolly, Scott Gleeson, Alex Kennedy, Luke Murphy.
Replacements: Darragh Glennon, Jibril Koura, Killian McNamara, Adam Shawyer, Kieran Shvaibovich, Colin McCarthy, Marcus O’Donoghue, Adam Jordan, Oisin Quinlivan, Conor Dowling.
Crescent College Comprehensive: Jed O’Dwyer, Eoin O’Callaghan, Joe McEnery, Ben Gallagher, Sean Morrissey, Ryan Godfrey, Marcus Lyons, Mark Fitzgerald, Conor Clery, Denis O’Dwyer, Jack Somers, Sean Magee, Fionn Casserly, Andrew Ahearne, Cillian Kelly.
Replacements: Jonathan Byrne, Alex McNamara, Cathal Lanigan Ryan, Conor Ryan, Jordan Power, Charlie Fenton, Cormac Quinn, Michael O’Mara, Evan Bennett, Mark Molloy.
Referee: George Clancy.
