#MSSC Preview | CBC And Glenstal Go In Search Of History

Sunday’s Claytons Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup final pits two schools with contrasting records in this competition.

Christians will be aiming to go top of the roll of honour ahead of their rivals Pres’ with a 30th success. Glenstal are seeking their first title and history will play little part in proceedings.

Glenstal have been impressive in their run. Ronan Quinn and Ben Healy; who have plenty of experience from last season’s campaign have been leading the way on the scoring front for them.

A try from Quinn and five points from the boot of Healy saw them overcome Rockwell to get to the Quarter-Finals but a resolute defensive was the real key for them as they won 10-8.

Glenstal impressed in their next two games with some very strong performances. Quinn scored twice as they overcame Bandon Grammar 26-7 while they defeated Crescent Comprehensive 30-10 in a commanding display.

Quinn again got a try with Captain Ben Healy also putting in a superb display. The pack have set the stall out throughout the competition with Mark Fleming and Pat Prendergast leading the battle from the front. Andrew Hogan has also been in lively form with tries in each of the last two games.

With their form from this season and a lot of experience carried forward from last season’s run to the Final; Glenstal will be confident of putting in a big display. They have a well-balanced side with dangerous runners out wide; but a powerful strong pack where George Downing and David Kelly will look to impose themselves on the game.

Christian Brothers College have also been extremely impressive on route to the final. They have scored over 100 points in their past three games displaying an array of attacking talent. To ensure their place in the quarter-finals they overcame Ard Scoil Rís 34-7 while they overpowered a gallant St Clement’s side 58-17 to advance to the last four.

In these games, the power up front set the platform with Robert Loftus, Ronan Barry and Ben Roche among those dominating the forward exchanges. This allowed their array of talent out wide to utilise space with Tomas Downes and Robert Hedderman racking up tries; while Hedderman also impressed with the boot.

In the semi-final against their arch-rivals PBC; Christians had to show their nerve to win 17-15. They had the worse start as they fell fifteen points behind shortly into the second-half but showed plenty of guts and self-belief. Eoghan Barrett started the come-back after laying siege to the Pres line and soon added a second.

Eoin Monohan converted to leave his side trailing by three points. Deep into injury time he had a chance to level scores with his penalty coming off the post. In a dramatic finish; Christians forced a knock-on and from the resulting try Adam O’Connor got the winning try to send his side through.

Sunday’s final should be another tight and exciting game between two evenly balanced sides and should be in the balance right up until the final whistle.

Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup Final: CBC v Glenstal Abbey, Sunday 18 March, Irish Independent Park, 4pm

Tickets: €10 Adult, €5 Junior, €25 Family Ticket (2 Adult, 3 Junior) available from both Limerick and Cork Ticket Offices or from Irish Independent Park on matchday.

CBC ROAD TO THE FINAL:

First round: CBC 34-7 Ardscoil Rís

Quarter-final: CBC 58-17 St Clement’s

Semi-final: PBC 15-17 CBC

GLENSTAL ABBEY ROAD TO THE FINAL:

First round: Glenstal Abbey 10-8 Rockwell College

Quarter-final: Glenstal Abbey 26-7 Bandon Grammar

Semi-final: Glenstal Abbey 30-10 Crescent College

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