Rockwell College march on in the Munster Senior Cup after playing some magnificent rugby

The famed rugby nursery Rockwell College made a victorious start to their Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup campaign with an industrious victory against a gallant Glenstal Abbey team. The final score was 18 – 15 at a windy Virgin Media Park in Cork last Wednesday which sends them into the next round of the prestigious schools competition. 

Led magnificently from the front by captain Ronan O’ Connor, Rockwell thundered in to the match and were camped in the Glenstal 22 for much of the early exchanges.

Strong ball carrying from Andrew Wall, Ralph Kerry and the always excellent Alex Harold Barry put enormous pressure on the Glenstal defence. A penalty by Mark Neville, a former Tipperary minor footballer, opened the scoring for Rockwell.

Straight from the resultant kick off, a fluid passing sequence brought Rockwell to the Glenstal line. After a couple of forward exchanges, Ronan O Connor powered over the line from close range. Mark Neville converted, Rockwell 10-0 up and in control. 

A momentum changer just before half time occurred when a badly defended scrum on the Glenstal 22 resulted in a breakaway try for the Limerick side totally against the run of play. Conversion missed, half time 10-5 to Rockwell.   

Whatever Aidan Butler, head coach of Rockwell, said to his troops at half time paid dividends, almost immediately an explosive start to the second half allowed Rockwell to punch holes in the Glenstal defense and create space for Joe Higgins, a current Tipperary u20 player, to use his pace and strength to motor in from 30 meters out. Conversion missed, Rockwell 15 – 5 ahead. 

Numerous mistakes by Rockwell allowed Glenstal stay in the game. A loose Rockwell pass on the Glenstal 22 was intercepted and a breakaway the length of the field resulted in a Glenstal try. Conversion missed, 15 – 10 to Rockwell. 

Sustained pressure from Rockwell resulted in a Rockwell penalty which Mark Neville converted, 18 – 10. Again, Rockwell were generous, a butchered back line movement deep in the Glenstal territory was turned over and Glenstal capitalized by scoring from distance. Conversion missed, 18 – 15 to Rockwell. 

The next ten minutes were bossed by Rockwell, never allowing Glenstal any opportunity in the Rockwell half. The final whistle was greeted enthusiastically by the large travelling Rockwell support.   This was a solid performance from a very youthful Rockwell side, many of whom will have two more years to play at this level. Crescent Comprehensive await in the next round. 

The eclectic mix of hurlers, footballers, and rugby players were driven by outstanding performances by backs Aidan Russell, Joe Higgins and forwards Alex Harold Barry and captain Ronan O Connor, who never made a backwards step. Onwards now to the next round for Rockwell. 

Scorers for Rockwell College –  
Tries: R O’ Connor, J Higgins; Con: M Neville Pen: M Neville 2 
Scorers for Glenstal Abbey –  
Tries: R Concannon 2, S Roche. 
 
ROCKWELL COLLEGE: M Neville, D Morris, M Carey, M Lambe, J Higgins, C
Moloney Ryan, A Russell; J Finn, R O Connor (c), A Wall, R Kerry, M Gutierrez, C
O’ Mahony, D Marshall, A Harold Barry. 
 
Replacements:  M Moloney for M Carey (42), C Pollard for C O’ Mahony (50). 
 
GLENSTAL ABBEY: J Kerr, S Connolly, S Roche, M Bennett, R Concannon, B
Tucker, F Connolly, H Gleeson (c), C Hughes, W Mutaseb, L Himmelreich, P O’
Neill, S McCormack, C O’ Donovan, M Kennedy.