Obialor thrills as Bandon capture Munster crown

Bandon 29 

Newcastle West/Estuary 17

IT was the first leg of a Thomond Park double on Sunday week and the second part of a terrific treble for Bandon, sandwiching the club’s U16 Bowl win and the U18 Cup final success that followed afterwards.

A strong first-half performance was key in their Munster U16 Plate final against Newcastle West/Estuary, who were actully first on the scoreboard with a converted try.

Bandon’s response was a try from wing Jason Hayes that Andrew O’Leary converted, and minutes later Chrion Obialor scored his side’s second try. Obialor added another try before the break, converted by O’Leary, as Bandon led 19-7 at half-time.

Alan Blair scored Bandon’s fourth try just after the break, converted by O’Leary, as the lead swelled to 26-7.

The West Limerick team did rally and scored two tries but O’Leary kicked a late penalty to cap a fantastic win.

Bandon: Donagh Galvin; Jason Hayes, Alan Blair, Ciaran Durkin, Chrion Obialor; Andrew O’Leary, Niall Burke; Carlos O’Mahony, Harry Golden, Jack Applebe, David Hall, Jack O’Mahoney, Andrew Guinevan, Robert McCarthy, David Collis.

Replacements: Conor Egan, Joshua Mahony, Ferdia Gibbons, Kieran Barry, Colman Crowley, Oisin O’Mahony.