Connacht Schools Senior Cup [semi-final]
Sligo Grammar 19
Coláiste Iognáid 9
Grammar always held control in this game, doing just enough to keep the Jes at bay in poor weather conditions. With their back row leading the way, they ran hard at the Coláiste Iognáid defence, and were able to cause disruption on opposition ball.
The Sligo school scored an early converted try in reply to the Jes’ opening penalty, before Ireland U18 Clubs international Matthew Cosgrove put Grammar further ahead with a penalty on 20 minute mark.
Coláiste Iognáid eventually got hold of possession, attempting to take the game to Grammar with a series of pick and drives, as well as through runners off their out-half. They were able to force a penalty from 35 metres out which just snuck over.
The game moved back and forth from there, with a Cosgrove penalty and one in response from Coláiste Iognáid leaving the score 16-9 at the interval.
Grammar changed their tactics at halftime and opted to play a territorial-based kicking game, trying to force errors out of the Jes. But such is the back row talent that Grammar possess, the Jes were having to commit four or five players to each ruck just to keep the ball.
With so many player commited to the rucks, Coláiste Iognáid were then outnumbered by the Grammar defence and couldn’t generate any quick ball, finding it difficult to develop phases as a result.
Cosgrove’s penalty eight minutes from time effectively ended the game as a contest. Credit to Coláiste Iognáid as they kept fighting and managed to force numerous mistakes out of Grammar. Unfortunately, they were unable to capitalise on those errors.
Grammar now await the result of next Tuesday’s semi-final between Garbally College and defending champions Marist College.
Report by Conor O’Leary, Connacht Rugby’s Domestic Website Co-ordinator.
Connacht Schools Junior Cup [semi-final]
CBS Roscommon 16
Coláiste Iognáid 0
Two tries from James Brandon and a brace of penalties by Shane Purcell ensured that CBS have qualified for the Junior Cup final on March 19th in the Sportsground in Galway, where they will take on Garbally or St. Gerald’s.
Ulster Schools Senior Cup [semi-final]
Sullivan Upper School 27
Coleraine Academical Institution 14
Sullivan ensured qualification for their first Ulster Schools Senior Cup final with this strong victory over Coleraine. The Holywood school made the perfect start when Charlie McEwan crossed for an unconverted try in the opening minutes.
Out-half Mark Adair struck with a penalty soon after, before converting Mark Crockford’s try to leave his team 15-0 up at the interval. Lock Josh Davidson was next to cross the whitewash for Willie Anderson’s side, although Adair missed the extra points on that occasion.
Coleraine burst back into the game when captain Conor Shiels dotted down, but a penalty try soon after allowed Sullivan into a 27-7 lead. Mark Gordon scored a wonderful try from long-range, allowing Shiels’ conversion to bring Coleraine back to 27-14, but that was to prove the end of the scoring.
Both teams had a player sent off after a fight in the final minutes, but Sullivan will be thrilled as they move on to face Methodist College Belfast in the final at Ravenhill on Monday, March the 17th [KO 3.00pm].
