Glenstal Abbey survive scare from Ardscoil Ris to book first Senior Cup final place since 1970

Three tries in the opening 20 minutes was just enough for Glenstal Abbey to book their place in the Senior Cup Final at the expense of Ardscoil Rís in Thomand Park yesterday afternoon.

Glenstal got off to a better start and seemed to settle to their surroundings much quicker than their opponents. Fittingly it only took them 4 minutes to find their first score.

After winning a lineout on Ardscoil’s 10m line, the ball made its way across the park to full back Jack O’Mahony who chipped in behind the defence and regathered possession to claim a try.

It was a score from the top drawer and laid down a serious early marker that Glenstal were here to do business. Out-half Ben Healy made no mistake with the conversion.

Glenstal Abbey were dominating the opening exchanges and the city school were finding it difficult to cope with the pace and intensity of the Murroe school.

Ardscoil Rís could not grab a foothold and were punished again in the 14th minute. Inside centre Luke Fitzgerald who was a menace all day made a break in midfield. The ball was recycled until it found Ronan Quinn who offloaded from a tackle to hooker George Downing who powered home for his sides second try. Again, the conversion was added.

Ardscoil won their restart and launched their first real attack of the game. However, they were unable to make any real headway and turned over possession as they fumbled the ball forward.

Their inability to make any inroads was once again punished by the Murroe outfit who notched their third try in the 20th minute. Quinn came off his wing and stormed through the Ardscoil defence before releasing Fitzgerald who gained control of the pass one handily before powering over the line.

When Healy added the extra 2 points, Ardscoil were looking at a bleak 21-0 score line with fifty minutes remaining. Ardscoil players looked shell shocked and needed to break Glenstal’s relentless momentum.

Funnily enough, it was an intervention from mother nature that did the most to disrupt Glenstal’s march. As the rain began to pour both teams began to make errors with the game becoming slowed.

Taking the pace out of the game allowed Ardscoil to catch a much needed breath and assess where they were taking on water. They were rewarded in the 27th minute with a try of their own to kick-start their comeback.

After winning a penalty 5m from goal, scrum half Craig Casey offloaded to Darragh O’Grady who went within inches of the line. Ardscoil recycled and Alex O’Callaghan made no mistake barging through a couple of Glenstal tackles to touch down. Casey converted from a difficult angle to cut the deficit to 14.

Ardscoil pressed for another try in the remaining minutes of the half but could not find a spark to breach the Glenstal rear guard. However, with final play off the half, Evan Cusack slotted over a drop goal for Ardscoil to leave the scores at 21-10 at half time.

It was a much needed response from Ardscoill we could now head in at the break with renewed hope of a comeback.

Ardscoil’s momentum continued into the second half. Glenstal kicked the restart dead and gave away a penalty at the scrum. Ardscoil kicked to touch and from the lineout, Glenstal conceded another penalty. From 25m, Casey kicked the penalty between the posts to further reduce the gap, 21-13.

From the ensuing restart, O’Grady was taken out in the air by Glenstal’s Rory Clarke who was subsequently sent to the bin. Minutes later ASR’s Casey was also sent to the bin for a no-arm tackle on O’Mahony. These two yellows took away from the game as neither team was able to take control with 14 men.

Once Casey returned on 53minutes, Ardscoil Rís began to dictate again. After winning a lineout on Glenstal’s 22, Ardscoil worked their towards the goal line. Casey kicked in behind which was gathered by Glenstal’s Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald evaded one man before attempting a clearance. However, ASR’s Colin Slater anticipated the kick and blocked down the ball in behind the goal line and followed in to score a try under the posts. Casey converted the easy kick to put the bare minimum between the teams with 14minutes remaining.

Glenstal had the chance to extend their lead immediately after the restart but Healy’s penalty attempt rebounded off the post and back into play. It was very much game on as wave after wave if Ardscoil pressure was repelled by Glenstal.

A number of times in the final 10 minutes the North Circular Road school found themselves just outside the Glenstal 22, but were unable to manufacture a try.

Thick stone walls are usual surroundings for Glenstal students and despite Ardscoil laying siege to their line, the red and grey ramparts held firm.

With under 5 minutes remaining, Cusack once again attempted a drop-goal but was heroically charged down.

As time ticked on, the ASR players who had fought so hard to get back into the game, began to tire and could not find the energy to break down the solid Glenstal rear guard. With the referees signal that time was up, the Glenstal fans erupted in the stand as the ball was kicked dead.

The Glenstal players must be applauded for their actions after the game. Each and every Glenstal player made it their business to console with the heartbroken Ardscoil Rís players, illustrating the ultimate gesture of sportsmanship.

Glenstal Abbey will now face PBC who overcame Bandon Grammar school yesterday, in the Senior Cup Final on St Patricks Day in Thomand Park. Ardscoil will be left to rue what could have been.

Man of the Match

Glenstal had several players who helped their cause immeasurably today in Thomand. Ronan Quinn was a constant nuisance on the wing making a number of clear breaks. Luke Fitzgerald was brilliant in the centre and caused untold damage.

However, it was Ardscoil Rís captain Craig Casey that stood out. The orchestrater of his pack Casey was the most vocal man on the pitch constantly encouraging his team and leading them to within an inch of a Senior Cup final. His place kicking was also perfect and were it not for his yellow Ardscoil would most likely be looking forward to a St Patricks Day final.

Glenstal Abbey: Jack 0’Mahony, Tim Molony, Jamie Mawhinney, Luke Fitzgerald, Ronan Quinn, Ben Healy, Thanade, McCoole, Sean Scanlon-Garry, George Downing, Eoin Bergin, Conan O’Sullivan, Shane Downes, Conor Booth, Mark Fleming, Rory Clarke. Replacements: Paraic Mulligan, Patrick Prendergast, Henry Dowling, David Kelly, Mark Walsh, Andrew Walsh, Aran Egan, Declan Floyd, Eoin Callaghan, Andrew Hogan.

Ardscoil Rís: Darragh O’Gorman, Cian O’Rahilly, Colin Madden, Glen Clancy, Michael Gorman, Evan Cusack, Craig Casey, Alex O’Callaghan, Colin Slater, Ferdia Lyons, Darragh O’Grady, Roy Whelan, Luke Clohessy, Ian Brown, Odhran Ring. Replacements: Rhys Tucker, Matthew Gaule, Conor O’Brien, John Taylor, Sean Hanley, Maurice Noonan, Hugh Fenton, Cian Murphy, Brian Noonan, Lloyd Mulcahy.

Scorers – Glenstal: Tries- Jack O’Mahony, George Downing, Luke Fitzgerald Cons Healy x3.

Scorers – Ardscoil: Tries- Alex O’Callaghan, Colin Slater Cons Craig Casey x2 Drop Goal Evan Cusack.