Munster Schools Cup – Narrow Win for Pres.

Great rivals CBC and PBC met yesterday in the semi-final of the Coca-Cola sponsored Munster Senior Cup and after a titanic struggle, Pres emerged 6-5 winners. Edward Newman reports

04/03/02.The derby that had all rugby people in Cork were talking about, certainly lived up to expectations at Musgrave Park yesterday, and it was PBC who narrowly escaped defeat to their old rivals in this nail bitng Coca Cola
Munster Senior Schools Cup semi final. Billed as a classic, both teams served to highlight the high level of skills
that exist in schools rugby, and the only pity afterwards is that there had to be a loser.

Christians will be most disappointed, having dominated posseion in both halves, and if an opta index’ existed to explain their dominance that they
did own the ball for eighty percent of the game, it would remain true. CBC were dominant in the forward exchanges but their greatest flaw was not having a place kicker to convert important kicks that they garenered, particularly near the end on the game. Granted they were all from difficult angles, CBC nevertheless, twice came agonisingly close to snatching victory having fallen 6 5 behind with time running out.

But an unspectacular PBC side held firm in the closing stages and now go forward to play St. Munchins in the final on St. Patrick’s Day.

Pres will be most disappointed with their display. They never got inside the CBC 22 in the first half and only twice did they make it inside the CBC line in the second half. The only problem for Christians was that both
attacks precipitated penalties in front of the posts which Barry Keeshan converted.

CBC started in flying form, and with Tomas O’Leary (pictured) dictating affairs from behind the scrum, supplied with plenty of ball from an energiesed pack and scrum half Duncan Williams. O’Leary was central to creating the opening try feeding the outstanding Paul Hurley on the wing and Hurley ran past two defenders to touchdown in the corner. CBC kept attacking while PBC felt the full brunt of their pressure and defended in numbers. Yet time and again CBC failed to get something more tangible for their efforts and went in leading 5 0 at the break.

Pres came out with all guns blazing, and though their dominace only lasted for a brief period, gained two penalties which Keeshan converted. CBC came close through a splendid move from Williams to set up Cillain Kenny in the corner, but Kenny was held up short near the line. Indeed, CBC had more penalty chances which they failed to convert, and will feel disappointed that they couldn’t take the spoils from their near neighbours.

PBC: D. Kingston; T. Gleeson, M. Murphy, M. O’ Gara, J. Gleeson; B. Keeshan, D. Stringer; J. Moynihan, R. Quinn, N. McMAhon; S. O’ Keefe, B. Buckley; J. O’ Flynn, R. Goeghgan, H. O’ Flynn.

CBC: K. Mitchell; P. Hurley, C. Kenny, J. Harte, E. Godsell; T. O’ Leary, D. Williams; S. Gallagher, D. Blower, D. Hurley; R. Noonan, K. Leonard; B.
Holland, L. Quaid, M. Essex.

B. Fitzgerald (MAR)