PBC Crowned Champions After Win Over CBC

14th March 2023 By The Editor

James Wixted scored a hat-trick for PBC. Inpho

PBC are the 2023 Pinergy Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup champions after they beat CBC 24-0 in an action-packed clash at Musgrave Park on Tuesday afternoon.

This win means that PBC have now drawn level in overall Senior Cup titles with CBC on 31.

Understandably, it was a nervy start with both sides enjoying periods of possession and territory but unforced errors from both teams saw the game reach the 15 minute mark with no score.

With just over 20 minutes gone in the first half, Michael Foy received a yellow card close to his own line and from the resulting tap and go, PBC’s Gene O’Leary Kareem ran a superb line to collect the ball and power through a gap to score.

Ben O’Connor converted to give PBC a 7-0 lead.

Despite being down to 14 men, CBC responded well and were camped on the PBC line just moments later but a superb turnover from hooker Michael O’Sullivan relieved the pressure.

CBC then had two good chances from scrums five metres out from the PBC line. A ball out wide to Christopher Barrett almost saw the winger cross for his side’s first try but O’Connor was able to tackle the winger into touch before he could score.

A crooked lineout for PBC allowed CBC another 5m scrum opportunity but this time CBC were pinged for crossing as they were building phases just inches from the line.

CBC couldn’t cross for their opening try as Pres went into the half-time break with a 7-0 lead.

PBC had some good territory early in the second half and that next crucial score went the way of Ger Burke’s side.

Captain Rory O’Shaughnessy picked up the ball in midfield before he passed to O’Connor who committed a defender before releasing the ball to James Wixted.

The pacy winger had too much gas for the covering CBC defence as he crossed in the corner. O’Connor’s touchline conversion drifted to the right and wide as PBC’s lead extended to 12-0.

CBC responded well and despite enjoying plenty of possession and territory, they were unable to turn it into points.

O’Connor then got many in Musgrave Park onto their feet when a length of the field carry down the right wing saw him tackled into touch just before the CBC line.

A few minutes later, PBC spread the ball out wide to Wixted who crossed in the corner for his second try of the game with his side’s lead now at 17-0.

Wixted completed his hat-trick moments later. A lovely offload from O’Connor to O’Leary Kareem saw the outside centre commit a defender and release the final pass to Wixted.

The winger had too much pace once again as he crossed for his side’s fourth try. O’Connor was successful with his conversion attempt as PBC held a 24-0 lead going into the final few minutes.

With the game wrapped up, CBC to their credit kept searching for their opening score but PBC held them out as they were crowned champions and lifted The Garrett Fitzgerald Cup.

CBC: Benjamin Lynch, Christopher Barrett, Alex O’Connell, Gavin O’Riordan, Conor Foley, Charlie Patrick O’Shea, Jack Casey; Sam Loftus (C), Stephen O’Shaughnessy, Denis O’Callaghan, Conor Kennelly, Michael Foy, Mark Skelly, Odhran Prenter, Daniel Rock.

Replacements: George Good, Cian Walsh, Harry Foster, Michael Doyle, Johnny O’Shea, Joseph Barrett, Jack O’Callaghan, Evan Cahill Murphy, Ronan O’Keeffe, Leo O’Leary.

PBC: Ben O’Connor, James Wixted, Gene O’Leary Kareem, James O’Leary, Tom Coughlan, Harry Murphy, Liam Tuohy; Maurice Minogue, Michael O’Sullivan, Thomas McCarthy, Daniel Noonan, Cian Murphy, Fionn Roussel, Alexander Alderson, Rory O’Shaughnessy (C).

Replacements: Max Dillon, George O’Keeffe, Peter Wall, Oscar Squires, Rueben Skuse, Daniel Foley, Oscar Nangle, Scott Kelleher, John Wigginton Barrett, Luke Sisk O’Mahony.