PBC Claim Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup Title

Presentation Brothers College claimerd this year’s Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup title with a 13-3 over local rivals Christian Brothers College in Musgrave Park today.

This year’s final will be broadcast on Setanta Ireland on Tuesday March 20th at 5.55pm and on Wednesday March 21st at 12.50pm

Christian Brothers College 3-13 Presentation Brothers College

Presentation Brothers College claimed local bragging rights in front of a large crowd in Musgrave Park as they raised the Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup after a ten point victory over Christian Brothers College today.

The conditions were hardly perfect for the kickers on both sides, with a swirling wind adding some unpredictability to proceedings and making it difficult for the kickers to nail the target. CBC full back Odhran Mulrooney got early experience of this wind after nine minutes when his penalty attempt went just right of the posts. The penalty came on the back of a superb start by CBC, keeping play at a frenetic pace well inside the PBC half for the opening exchanges. After just two minutes of play CBC scrum half Chris Nolan showed his pace with a lightening dart off a scrum outside the 22 taking him within inches of the line. PBC didn’t enter the CBC half until the ten minute mark, and immediately took the lead, with a breathtaking individual try from winger Simon Zebo. Zebo was on the receiving end of a Robbie O’Donoghue clearance kick and broke from the half way line to beat four tacklers and score in the corner. Showing incredible pace and power, it was a stunning run and with five points on the score board, PBC were immediately focused on the job at hand. Eight minutes later PBC stretched their lead with a try from prop Peter Kelleher who touched down from close quarters after some excellent work by the PBC pack. Despite Scott Deasy missing his second conversion, PBC’s 10-0 lead put the pressure on CBC. Mulrooney was on target for CBC on the 26 minute mark as he put CBC’s first points on the board after a successful penalty kick. As half time approached, CBC continued to look for gaps, with prop John Ryan making a great break close to half time, however, their efforts were thwarted time and time again by a dogged defence from PBC.

After the break, PBC captain Scott Deasy showed great control at outhalf, putting the ball into the corners behind the CBC defence and keeping play inside the CBC half. Deasy put more distance between the sides after 42 minutes with a successful penalty kick giving PBC a 13-3 lead. Surprisingly, this was to be the last score of the game as the game continued with a lack of flow that was evident in the first half. Deasy’s long range penalty kick attempt from outside the CBC half on 51 minutes was a good effort, but didn’t quite have the legs. CBC’s tactics on penalties were to go for the line out in the corner and attempt to power over from a short distance out. On 57 minutes Mulrooney stuck it in the corner and CBC won a clean line out. However, great defensive work by PBC No. 8 Peter O’Mahony averted the danger for the leaders. Again three minutes later CBC went for the same tactic, and CBC came agonisingly close to touching the ball down but for a dropped ball allowing PBC to turn it over and again avert danger. Despite throwing everything at PBC as the clock ticked down, Christians were unable to make any more inroads into the score line, and PBC held out for a famous victory. Showing huge commitment and a never say die attitude, CBC must be applauded for continuing to pressurise the PBC defence. Impressing on the CBC team was the very solid Odhran Mulrooney at full back and the ever threatening Chris Nolan at scrum half.

It was a day however for Presentation Brothers College to relish, having come back from the bitter disappointment of losing last year’s final to St. Munchin’s College and claiming this year’s title with style. PBC had heroes all over the pitch, particularly in the pack, where grit and determination shone through. The experienced Scott Deasy was a formidable leader, and no doubt Simon Zebo’s dazzling try will be talked about for a long time to come. While the Senior Cup title will be cherished and celebrated in the coming days, it’s back to business on the rugby front as PBC’s Junior side travel to Dooradoyle on Wednesday to play Castletroy College in the final of the Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Junior Cup.

Christian Brothers College
15. Odhran Mulrooney, 14. Darren Loftus, 13. Conor Martin, 12. Niall Courtney, 11. Shaun McCarthy, 10. Robbie O’Donoghue, 9. Chris Nolan, 1. John Ryan, 2. Andrew Cudmore, 3. Jack Bransfield, 4. Tom Keogh, 5. Kyle O’Dwyer, 6. Ryan O’Connor, 7. Shane McCarthy (Captain), 8. Brian O’Callaghan
Replacements: James Mulcahy for Keogh (ht), Johnny Crowley for O’Connor (ht), Billy O’Regan for Shaun McCarthy (41), Aidan Foley for Bransfield (50),

Presentation Brothers College
15. Gavin Nugent, 14. Theo Cullinane, 13. Alex Rose, 12. Barry Kelleher, 11. Simon Zebo, 10. Scott Deasy (Captain), 9. Dave O’Driscoll, 1. Peter Kelleher, 2. Ronan Corkery, 3. Robbie Darmody, 4. Dan Lucey, 5. Michael Kenefick, 6. Niall Barry, 7. Brian O’Hara, 8. Peter O’Mahony
Replacements: Johnny McCarthy for Cullinane (59), Darren Tuohy for Lucey (62), Bryan Cagney for Corkery (66)

Referee: Leo Colgan (MAR)
TJ1: Dave O’Flynn (MAR)
TJ2: Robert Coughlin (MAR)
4th Official: Shane White (MAR)
5th Official: Muiris Mahon (MAR)