Drama as Christians win Munster Junior Cup thriller with final kick of the game

Comp’s Ethan O’Sullivan: Stunned by late Christians comeback. Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

Crescent College Comprehensive 19Christian Brothers College 21

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE produced a last-gasp comeback to win the Clayton Munster Schools Junior Cup, George Coomber’s stoppage-time conversion giving them a 21-19 win against Crescent College Comprehensive.

After a stuttering opening at Musgrave Park, it was Comp who got an early advantage after a misplaced pass by Cian Whooley fell into the path of Jack Delaney who ran the ball back 70 metres and touched down to give his side the lead.

Delaney’s simple conversion put the Limerick school 7-0 up, but Christians soon settled into the tie and regained composure. Pressure from a maul drove the ball over the line, with Ronan O’Sullivan providing the crucial push for his fourth try of the tournament.

Jack Delaney: breakaway try put Comp into an early lead. Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

From the restart Christians ran the show with Conor Lavin linking up with Whooley to press onto the five-metre line. They dug deep, working the ball through seamlessly until Finn MacFhlannchadha slipped into space to score, with Whooley’s conversion putting them 14-7 up.

Comp freshened their lines with the additions of Ben O’Sullivan and Ben Davey, and this injection of new blood put them on the front foot. Dara O’Shea was put clean through to score, though the pass which set him free was contentious, and Delaney’s missed conversion left Comp trailing 14-12.

O’Sullivan’s last-minute try helped Christians to snatch victory. Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

They were back in front when Ben Davey took advantage of some disarray in the Christians defence and stormed through to score. Delaney made amends for his earlier miss and converted to put Comp 19-14 up and on the brink of glory.

But with the pressure on, CBC fought back to produce their grand slam finish, and with seconds remaining, their scrum broke the banks for Ronan O’Sullivan to down the ball and bring the game level.

Against a stinging silence, and with the final kick of the game, Coomber stepped up to fire the ball over and send Christians into euphoria.

Sean Rall and Aaron Leahy celebrate. Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

CCC: Colm Quilligan (Ben Davey 40′); Gary Kelly, Tony O’Sullivan, Seamus Hurley, Dara O’Shea; Jack Delaney, Jake Connolly; Ethan O’Sullivan, Joshua Skehan Fitzgerald, Jamie Cross (Ben O’Sullivan 40’); David Doyle, Sean Malone; Barry Scott, James McKeogh, David Rickard.

CBC: George Coomber; Mark Buckley (Patrick O’Hara 55’), Harry O’Riordan, Leo Daly, Aaron Leahy; Cian Whooley (Robbie Shalloe 50’), Mark O’Connor (James Moylan 50’); Alex O’Regan, Sean Rall, Mark Donnelly; Robbie Kelleher, Mark McCarthy; Finn MacFhlannchadha (Bobby Kahn 50’), Ronan O’Sullivan, Conor Lavin.

Referee: Chris Harrington.

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