Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai will feel robbed, as this encounter swayed both ways in the last two minutes. The game opened at a frenetic pace, with Clements hitting the ground first, and that led to their first try. Five down the Bantry forwards grew into this game however, and began to dominate possession, and this culminated with a great try by Patrick Casey after sustained pressure. Cormac O Connor converted and Bantry led by two. O ‘ Connor was unlucky to see a penalty attempt strike an upright and Bantry failed to press on and convert a dominant pack to reflect on the scoreboard and sloppy defence left Clements in for a try, converted after twenty minutes. Michael Daly was inches short of the try line towards the end of the opening half, and an organised and solid Clements defence held out Bantry until half time.The second half was totally dominated by Bantry when they were camped inside the Clements half for sustained periods, Eoghan O Shea was agonisingly close to the whitewash, but solid cohesive Clements defence held Bantry at bay. However Colaiste Pobail were rewarded by two penalties realised by O’Connor, the second of these with two minutes to go put them one point to the good. Bantry secured possession from the restart and looked cruising, until on last play Clements regained possession, ran the length of the pitch and despite some desperate Bantry tackling, scored two phases later in the corner. St. Clements with this third try edged this trilling encounter, that in reality could have gone either way.The Bantry lads will rue not converting their pressure and territory, However Clements can hail a tremendous defensive effort, and their ability to counter and take their scores.
Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai 13
St Clements Limerick 17
