Bandon Grammar gear up for senior and junior schools' quarter-finals

THE Bandon Grammar School Munster Schools Junior Cup side joined their senior counterparts in the provincial quarter-finals after an impressive 27-7 win over CBS High School Clonmel at Musgrave Park.

Conor Ahern had Bandon off to a great start with a try inside the opening quarter of an hour, crossing the line following a period of concerted pressure. Liam McCarthy added the conversion to make it 7-0.

While Clonmel looked to respond, Bandon defended well and a penalty from Louis Archer was sent over the crossbar to make it 10-0 before the same player repeated the feat just before half-time, leaving them in a comfortable position, 13 points clear at the break.

On the resumption, the game was made as good as safe with a superb try from winger Jamie Hayes, whose pace allowed him to break clear and touch down in the right corner. Once again, Archer was on hand to convert, making it 20-0.

A third try arrived courtesy of number 8 Adam Murphy following some excellent link-up play and Archer added the extras to that as well. Late on, Emre Yasar did salvage some consolation with a Clonmel try, converted by Chris Ryan, but Bandon had already done the hard work to book their place in the last eight.

Details for the next fixture are yet to be finalised, while the Bandon senior team will next be in action on Wednesday, February 13th, when they face Glenstal Abbey in their quarter-final.

As with the juniors, it was Clonmel that Bandon beat in the senior cup, producing a devastating performance as they won 67-0 at Musgrave Park on Wednesday, January 23rd.

Tom Beare scored a hat-trick of tries for Bandon with two each for Joshua D’Alton, Soren Minihane and Ciaran Roberts as Jack Crowley accounted for eight conversions and two penalties.

Glenstal will certainly provide stiffer opposition than their fellow Tipperary side. A year ago, it was they who ended Bandon’s campaign at the same stage, winning 28-7 at the Mardyke.