Munster Schools Senior Cup Final

From the moment, Presentation College Cork trumped their great rivals Christians 12-5 in the Munster Schools Senior Cup quarter-final, they have been earmarked as the clear favourites.

From the moment, Presentation College Cork trumped their great rivals Christians 12-5 in the Munster Schools Senior Cup quarter-final, they have been earmarked as the clear favourites to lift the trophy at Thomond Park on St Patrick’s Day.

“That brings it’s own problems for the players. We have worked hard on their emotional balance and mental toughness. I think we have done a good job. We will have to bring the same game we showed against Christians to Thomond Park,” said PBC gamesmaster Damian Philpott.

That impression from the quarter-final was crystallised in their semi-final beating of doughty Rockwell College. Pres were 6-3 in arrears when scrum-half Sam Cronin broke through for their first of three tries.

Eoin Culliton temporarily rectified the situation with his third penalty for Rockwell. However, the weight of pressure eventually had to tell and out-half Gavin Dunne and second row Des Prendergast pierced the white line to complete a 20-16 victory.

Unfortunately, number eight Eamon Nugent is a serious doubt and will have to pass a fitness test. If he is not available, either Hurl Dockry or Ronan O’Leary will step into the breach.

Pres will be mob-handed with Inter-provincial experience from full back Evan Ryan, centres Tom Gleeson and Alex Kelleher, loose-head John Philpott and second row Des Prendergast.

Last year’s Irish Trialist second row Chris Kenefick has recovered from a dislocated and Gleeson is the only survivor from their cruel last gasp defeat to St Munchin’s two years ago.

That should provide serious motivation to make amends. On the other hand, St Munchin’s know that a surprise is not out of the question. They were given a boost when wing Eric Moloney recovered from a knee injury to take up his place on the left wing.

St Munchin’s had to deal with rivalries of their own when they edged out Ard Scoil Ris 23-18 in the quarter-final and Crescent Comprehensive 13-0 in the semi-final.

“We need everybody to play their part. We would hope to make progress in the pack where our captain Fergal Walsh and Dave Gardiner will be important to us,” said gamesmaster Flann O’Friel.

Crescent were sickened by the loss of Ireland Schools openside Barry O’Mahony and they were bossed about the park by the bigger, stronger Munchin’s forwards with second row Walsh and number eight Gardiner, both Munster material, making a big impact.

Hooker Ger Slattery, who punched through for two tries in the semi-final, and coach Pat Cross’s son Fintan, on the openside, are the type of honest players that will have to be at their best.

The Limerick boys have in out-half Wayne Murphy the player who put one over on Pres two years ago with that glorious winning kick deep into injury-time and he will be served by Munster scrum-half Tony Cahill.

Presentation Brothers College Cork: Evan Ryan; David Ward, Tom Gleeson, Alex Kelleher, Myles Carey; Gavin Dunne, Sam Cronin; John Philpott, David O’Halloran, Michael O’Leary, Chris Kenefick, Des Prendergast, David Daly, Conor Fitzgibbon, AN Other.

Coaches: Don Buckley, Peter Scott, Paul Barr. Captain: David Daly.

PATH TO THE FINAL: Quarter-Final bt CBC Cork 12-5; Semi-Final – Rockwell College 20-16.

St Munchin’s College: .J P Haitian; Frank Daly, Alder Among, John Cogan, Eric Maloney; Wayne Murphy, Tony Cahill; Stephen Foster, Ger Slattery, Alan Cotter, Brian Meade, Fergal Walsh, Leonard Mulvane, Fintan Cross, David Gardiner.

Coaches: John Broderick, Pat Cross. Captain: Fergal Walsh.

Path To The Final: Quarter-final – bt Ard Scoil Ris 23-18; Semi-Final – but Crescent Comprehensive 13-0.

Munster Schools Senior Cup Final PBC Cork v St Munchin’s College St. Patricks Day Thomond Park, Limerick at 3pm.

Article By: Des Berry.