PBC Advance Into Junior Cup Semi-Finals

Presentation Brothers College completed the line-up of the SEAT Schools Junior Cup Semi-Finals following their win over a hardy Glenstal Abbey side in the UCC Sports Ground, Cork.

PBC 25-3 Glenstal Abbey

By Rory Holohan

Having been tied at three points apiece at half time, PBC took control of the game to sweep aside their Murroe-based opponents.

Glenstal enjoyed the lion’s share of the ball in the opening quarter of an hour, being superior in both territory and possession. This dominance was apparent in their number of waves forward, with only Pres’ concession of penalties aiding the Cork side. Full-back Mark O’Farrell added an extra man in the attack but the Ravens had only Andrew Hogan’s second penalty attempt from Pres’ numerous ruck infringements to show for their efforts.

PBC were similarly lacking in terms of tries. A Glenstal backline composed of Jack O’Mahoney and Ben Moloney stood firm in stemming the Cathal Browne-led attacks for Pres and they also had only a solitary James Broderick penalty to show.

Glenstal upped the ante as half time approached, their opponents having being reduced to fourteen players once Seán French had been yellow-carded following a skirmish between the teams. The extra man was not made to count as both sides went close to crossing the whitewash prior to the referee’s whistle sounding.

The game was won by Pres in the opening eight minutes of the half as they registered two tries to gain a major foothold in proceedings.

French redeemed himself by assisting in Ross Howell’s try in the corner which Broderick failed to convert. The Pres out-half was on target with his next place kick however, landing a penalty from thirty metres out
French was then involved in the next score as he combined with Howell to turn the ball over within his opponents’ twenty two metre line. Once Seán had received the ball from Broderick shortly afterwards, there was no stopping his charge over the line. Broderick continued his exemplary display by converting ten metres in from the sideline.

The game was not totally beyond Glenstal though, as they threatened tries of their own through Ronan Quinn and Mark Fleming. Paddy Prendergast was the standout for his side, being a stalwart in running with the ball and rucking well to keep his side rooted in the Pres half.

Though the game was effectively won, Pres still went in search of a third try. It would have arrived sooner than the sixtieth minute had Jonathan Wren’s offload not gone behind the oncoming Howell and French duo.

The side were not to be disheartened as substitute Darragh O’Callaghan added a gloss to the scoreline in the game’s last play. It was typical of French to be involved in the ruck and he was on hand to supply O’Callaghan’s try in the corner. Broderick concluded the game with an excellent conversion from the sideline.

PBC will now meet Cork rivals Christians Brothers College in the upcoming semi-final.

Presentation Brothers College and Glenstal Abbey extend their thanks to the Mardyke Arena for providing use of the grounds and club facilities.

PBC: [15-9] S. French, R. Howell, J. Wren, S. O’ Donovan, N. McCarthy, J. Broderick, D. Harrington
[1-8] M. Varnam, L. Ryan, B. Scannell (Capt), M. McCarthy, L. Tarbatt, D. Hyland, C. Fitzgerald, C. Browne.
Subs: B. Quigley, K. Nugent, M. Fitzgibbon, Dylan O’ Callaghan, Darragh O’ Callaghan, M. Walsh, L. Bruce.

Glenstal: [15-9] M. O’ Farrell, R. Quinn, B. Moloney, J. O’ Mahoney, L. Broderick, A. Hogan
[1-8] P. Prendergast, G. Downing, E. Bergin, J. Fitzgerald, D. O’ Donovan, E. Callaghan, C. Booth, M. Fleming.
Subs: P. Mulligan, H. Boland, D. Kelly, M. Walsh, R. Leahy, W. McAleese, A. Walsh, J. Fehily.