CBC 29 – 17 Crescent (HT: 14 – 5)
Last year’s runners-up Christians Brothers Cork are back in the Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup Final thanks to a 29-17 win over Crescent College Comprehensive in Thomond Park on Tuesday.
Two tries from impact sub Bill McCarthy and one each from Christopher Barrett and Darragh Prenter booked their place in the final.
On a crisp but sunny Limerick day, it was the visitors who got off to the faster start after just five minutes. Kerry native Conall Cournane glided past the Crescent defence from inside his own half and a few phases later exciting scrum-half Christopher Barrett broke free from the base of the ruck for a perfect start.
Crescent did not let the imperfect start stall their title charge, however. Winger Gerry Joyce was a constant threat and even had a try chalked off due to the forward pass, but the Limerick school couldn’t find that score just yet. To their credit, CBC defended gallantly, coming up with big play after big play.
It took a wonderful 50/22 to be the catalyst for the game to find life. Crescent out-half Alan Cleary, on the day of his seventeenth birthday, came with the precise kick, as the pressure finally told. Joyce was not to be denied this time, dotting down for a well-earned score to bring them back within two.
The fightback was short-lived however as Christians struck for tries either side of the half time break. In both instances, it was the Leesiders’ electric back three who were providers and scorers. Substitute winger Bill McCarthy got his first before the break, after Conall Cournane sent him away in the corner. This left them with a 14-5 half time lead as Charlie O’Shea converted despite a jeering crowd.
Then right after the break Darragh Prenter caught O’Shea’s delicate cross kick to move the visitors into a 19-5 lead. Yet again this was a try made by the Cork side’s midfield duo of Christopher Barrett and Charlie O’Shea; who in turn could have been on the end of another two or three tries in the second forty. These mercurial playmakers were grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck.
The clock was nearing sixty when Crescent finally got their second try of the afternoon. Alan Cleary’s long floating pass to winger Gerry Joyce looked to be that score but it was brought pack having drifted forward. From the ensuing resumption of play full-back Fionn Rowsome sped past some would-be Christians defenders on the counter attack. Then, following strong carries from captain Ronan Ryan and lock Jayden Carmody; flanker Darragh McKeogh bundled over to claw back at the deficit to nine.
CBC would get the next ten points however. From the restart following the try the Cork side were awarded a penalty inside the 22 for an accidental offside which Charlie O’Shea converted and before long they found the score that put the game beyond Crescent’s grasp.
Barrett and O’Shea were once again heavily involved in a break from deep, as Christians put the foot down. Eventually it was supersub Bill McCarthy who got his second, and CBC’s fourth. O’Shea added the extra two to make it a 19 point advantage with less than five minutes to play.
Crescent found a late consolation score as Alex McNamara fought his way over the line; but that was that with the Cork side winning by 29-17.
Christians will face the winner of tomorrow’s other semi-final between Presentation Brothers Cork and Castletroy College in the Pinergy Schools Cup Final next month.
Christians Brothers Cork: Conall Cournane; Daire O’Callaghan, Leo O’Leary, Cian Corkery, Alex O’Connell; Charlie O’Shea, Christopher Barrett; Ronan O’Callaghan, Darragh Prenter, Seán FitzPatrick; David Mac Coitir, Robert O’Sullivan; Conor Galvin, Jack O’Callaghan, Ian Morton.
Replacements: Ciaran Wllace, Patrick O’Rourke, Craig Hughes, Harry McCarthy, Michael Manning, Sam Healy, Zach Seymor, Conor Mulvihill, Christopher Taylor, Bill McCarthy
Tries: Christopher Barrett, Bill McCarthy (2), Darragh Prenter
Conversions: Charlie O’Shea 3/4
Penalties: Charlie O’Chea 1/1
Crescent College Comprehensive: Fionn Rowsome; Ryan Scanlon, Evan Cusack, Harry O’Halloran, Gerry Joyce; Alan Cleary, Andrew Clery; Ronan Ryan (capt), Alex McNamara, Cian Enright; Tom Shanahan, Jayden Carmody; Darragh McKeogh, William Collins; Charlie Fenton.
Replacements: Michael O’Brien, Nathan O’Riordan, Nevilly Efe, Oran Copley, Eamon Collins, Adedamola Obasa, William Byrne, Rory O’Connor, Gavin Tobin, Rory Mullins.
Tries: Gerry Joyce, Darragh McKeogh, Alex McNamara
Conversions: Harry O’Halloran 1/3