Bowen Shield 2010
Munster U 17 Bowen Shield Final.
Rockwell 11 Christian Brothers Cork 8
Played in Clanwilliam on a bitterly cold Friday afternoon last, Rockwell defeated the second of two big Cork schools in the final, (the semi final was against P.B.C.). Rockwell started the match with gusto, throwing everything at C.B.C. and pinning them back in their own half. Good rucking by J. Sutcliffe and D. Lannigan-Ryan caused C.B.C. to give away a needless penalty on the 22, just to the left of the posts. Colman Kennedy ( a son of the former Tipp. Hurler) duly slotted over the kick. C.B.C. then applied strong pressure on the Rockwell backline, and with strong forward movement from pick and go’s they went over for a try in the corner. Their scrum half failed to land the conversion. From a line out to Rockwell inside the C.B.C. 22 the ball was won by N. Flynn, popped to Sonny O’Dwyer who went through three defenders to score in the corner. C. Kennedy failed in the conversion attempt. This left the half time score 8-5 in favour of Rockwell.
Just two minutes into the second half C.B.C. got a penalty through a mistake by one of the Rockwell front row, where he went in from the side. C.B.C. scored to leave it 8-8. Fifteen minutes in and Rockwell were applying very strong pressure and they benefitted from the C.B.C. no.6 being sin binned for a dangerous tackle on J. Holohan. However, they could not score. It was now C.B.C’s turn to exert pressure and with time up they were awarded a relatively easy penalty between the 10-22 metre line. They failed to score. Shortly after into injury time once again they were awarded another penalty from the same position. The kicker seemed to snatch at the ball and drove it to the left of the posts. When all seemed over in the last play, nine minutes into injury time Rockwell worked their way down into C.B.C’s 22 and were awarded a scrum. Instead of attempting a drop goal from the ensuing possession they decided to run the ball. C.B.C. turned over the ball and kicked it long. G. Henry took the full opportunity of the space allotted to him and kicked it towards the corner. L. Murchan caught nicely and a ruck developed. Once again indiscipline from C.B.C resulted in a penalty 40 metres out. Under pressure C. Kennedy kept his composure to slot over, giving Rockwell their first victory in this prestigious competition in 13 years.
For Rockwell S. O’Dwyer was outstanding at no.8, ably served by C. Kennedy in the centre, G. Henry full back, D. Johnson out half, D. Foley and N. Flynn(who won some lovely ball at lineout) second row.
Team: A. Sutcliffe ( Bahrain), M. Fitzgerald (Roscrea), D. Lannigan-Ryan ( Thurles), N. Flynn ( Cahir), D. Foley ( Clonmel), G. Delaney ( Fethard), J. Holohan ( Fethard),
S. O’Dwyer ( Templemore), C. Mc. Loughney ( Cashel), D. Johnson ( Urlingford),
C. Kennedy (Clonmel), S. O’Donoghue ( Clonmel), K. Maher ( Thurles), R. Maher( Thurles), G. Henry ( Clonmel).
Subs: D. Riley for S. O’Donoghue, L. Murchan ( Clonmel) for K. Maher, A. Barron ( New Inn), J. Sylver ( Bahrain), D. Quinlan ( The Nire), G. Healy ( Thurles).