CBC Win Their 29th Schools Senior Cup Title

CBC claimed the 107th Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup title by overcoming Crescent College Comprehensive by a one point margin, today at Irish Independent Park.

C.B.C. 9, Crescent College Comprehensive 8.
Christian Brothers College lead the roll of honour of Senior School titles after this narrow win at Irish Independent Park in The Clayton Hotel Munster Schools Senior Cup Final.

A great defensive display by Christians in the final ten minutes when Crescent who had fallen behind for the first time in the contest after James Taylor’s forty meter penalty on sixty minutes edged Christians in front by a point.

Second row Richard Thompson was the Sydney Hill’s College saviour in those pulsating minutes when he leaped in the air on his own 22 to catch one handed a high ball and also won a Crescent line out close to his own line.

On such things games are won and lost.

Crescent played with the strong wind that blew into the Dolphin corner of the ground in the opening half but did not use this advantage tactically.

Crescent full back Daniel Hurley was his side’s best player always posing a threat when going forward with ball in hand.

Centers Calvin Nash and Billy O’Hora also impressed in the opening thirty five minutes but wayward passing by Crescent at crucial stages proved costly.

Taylor was off target with a Christians penalty effort from 37 metres after two minutes.

Crescent looked like they would swamp Christians in the opening stages as they ran the ball at every opportunity.

Hurley put them ahead with a penalty after ten minutes but missed another effort from thirty metres in front of the posts on nineteen minutes.

The lead only lasted four minutes when Taylor landed a long range penalty for Christians to tie the scores 3-3.

Pressure by Crescent was eventually rewarded with a try four minutes before half time, when after a series of drives at the line by the pack, the ball went out the back line and Hurley managed to ground the ball for an 8-3 lead.

Further pressure by Crescent saw them being awarded another kickable penalty but they opted for the line and Christians defence held firm as the Limerick side led 8-3 at the short whistle.

Christians made an inspired substitution a minute into the second half bringing on bulky prop Peter Kelleher.

They had Crescent on the back foot with skipper Daire Feeney leading by example and he was well supported by Sean Duffy, Ross O’Neill and Robert Hyde.

A great burst out of defence by O’Hora lifted the siege but he lost possession of the ball close to the Christians 22.

A great break up the wing by Christians winger Jake Fehilly saw him go over the line but play was brought back for a foot in touch.

Then on fifty one minutes O’Hora was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on and from the resulting penalty Taylor converted to reduce the deficit to two points.

Following a line out close to the Crescent line, Christians got in for a try but play was brought back for an infringement and Crescent cleared their lines.

Then came Taylor’s match winning score but Christians supporters had to wait anxiously for another fifteen minutes as Crescent did everything to rescue the game, but an excellent defensive performance by Christians made them worthy champions.

Scorers C.B.C.: James Taylor 3 pens.
Crescent Brothers College: Daniel Hurley try, pen.

C.B.C.: Liam Coombes; Barry Galvin, Joe Harrington, Alex McHenry, Ian Casey; James Taylor, Richard Cassidy; Luke Masters, Gordon Good, Conor Leahy; Richard Thompson, Sean Duffy; Ross O'Neill, Robert Hyde, Daire Feeney (Capt.).
Replacements: Shane Bushe, Peter Kelleher, Ciaran McHugh, Declan Barry, Fergus Hennessey, Colin Sisk, JD O'Hea, Robert Hedderman.

Crescent College Comprehensive: Daniel Hurley; Jake Fehilly, Calvin Nash, Billy O’Hora, Conor Phillips; Mathew Hanly, Jack Lyons. Jack Henchy, Jason Barry, Thomas Connolly; John Blake, Fintan Coleman; Niall Mulcahy, Daniel Feasey, Bailey Faloon (Captain).
Replacements: Michael Sheahan, Anson Thai, Scott Leahy, Peter Ian Hickey, Mark Edwards, Mark Shanahan, Aaron Cosgrove, Eoin O’Halloran.
Referee: Kieran Barry (MAR).