The controversial Munster Junior Cup quarter-final between Presentation Brothers College Cork and St. Munchin’s College will be replayed as common sense eventually prevailed.
The game, which was played out on Wednesday afternoon at Musgrave Park, ended in massively concerning circumstances among those in the rugby community as three players from St. Munchins suffered serious head injuries early on.
With PBC leading 5-0, a lengthy stoppage took place with 10 minutes on the clock as three players from the Limerick school received treatment.
Two of the three players were taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital and when the referee attempted to restart the game, the distressed St. Munchins players declined the chance to continue, prompting the official to award the game to PBC.
A welcome update came later that evening, when St. Munchins confirmed that all players were recovering well at home in Limerick.
And, on Thursday, Munster Rugby have announced that the fixture will be replayed.
“The Age Grade Competitions Committee, chaired by Eugene Ryan, and the Munster Rugby Schools Committee, chaired by Declan English, have considered all the facts surrounding the unprecedented circumstances, and the decision has been made to replay the game,” a statement read.
“As a priority, player welfare and the health and safety of all players was taken into consideration when reviewing yesterday’s circumstances at Irish Independent Park.
“All parties are first and foremost pleased to hear the players in question are well, and are thankful to all the medical services on hand in Irish Independent Park and the CUH in providing the best possible care to the players.
“Following the review both committees expressed their support for referee Paudie Sheehan and his team in overseeing a difficult and unprecedented situation, noting the referee made his decision to restart the game based on facts and was procedurally correct.
“The replay will now take place on Wednesday February 15th at Irish Independent Park at 2.30pm.”
