Match Preview | CBC v PBC – Pinergy Schools Senior Cup Final

The schools who have won the Pinergy Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup the most times renew their rivalry on Tuesday in what promises to be a cracking and intense final. Christians will be hoping to replicate their victory from the last time they played in a final in 2019, while Presentation last won the trophy on the field of play in 2017.

The sides began the competition in a head-to-head battle, where the Sidney Hill school won the right to advance straight into the semi-finals with a compelling 27-26 victory. After Daniel Rock opened the scoring for CBC, Pres responded with tries from James Wixted and James O’Leary before half-time with another Harry Murphy touch-down extending Pres to a 19-5 lead.

The score was 26-15 approaching the final few minutes, with hooker Adam Wrona powering over for Christians and Liam Tuohy helping extend Pres’ advantage. The extremely impressive Wrona crashed over again, with Benjamin Lynch crucially converting before a last gasp score by winger Christopher Barrett secured a dramatic victory for Christians. While CBC take the bragging rights, all that showed ahead of today’s game is how well matched the sides are.

The Pres team responded in the best possible fashion with a dominant 52-8 win over Rockwell. James O’Leary and Rory O’Shaugnessy each scored a brace of tries before the break with Ben O’Connor, Daniel Fahy, Luke Sisk-O’Mahony and Ben O’Connor rounded off the try scoring.

The Cork schools then faced very tough Limerick opposition in the semi-finals. Christians took on Crescent Comprehensive and got off to a strong start. Tries again by Wrona and Barrett along with five points from the boot of Benjamin Lynch put them 15-3 in front. Crescent responded strongly to secure a draw and a replay in Thomond Park.

Meanwhile, the next day, Presentation faced St Munchin’s. Pres took control from early on but a determined Munchin’s team fought right until the end. They scored a total of five tries in a 35-29 win with Tom Coughlan, Gene O’Leary Kareem, James O’Leary, and Fionn Russell all scoring tries. Ben O’Connor notched 15 points with a try and five conversions.

With their own place in the final secured, Pres awaited the victors of the replay of the other semi-final in Thomond Park.

It was that player Adam Wrona again who took the game by the scruff of the neck. Backed up by his powerful well-organised pack, Wrona crashed over for his fourth and fifth tries this season early on. Benjamin Lynch was also enjoying a fine display, kicking his team into a 20-12 lead at the break.

Barrett again showed great finishing ability, but the game did see an injury to the reliable Lynch with Patrick O’Shea stepping in as an able replacement. Wrona then crashed over and the score was 34-15 and while Crescent launched a big late comeback, Christians did more than enough to secure their place in today’s final