PBC Edge Out Bandon In Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup Semi-Final
6th March 2019 By The Editor
PBC's Alex Kendellen scored a try in the final minute.
Presentation Brothers College edged out Bandon Grammar School 19-18 in the semi-final of the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup at Irish Independent Park this afternoon.
PBC opened the scoring in the eighth minute with an impressive back-line move which saw the ball moved to full-back Mark McLoughlin who provided the pass to Peter Cunningham.
The Pres centre collected and went over right of the posts before captain Louis Bruce added the conversion.
Bandon Grammar responded minutes later with captain Jack Crowley stepping up to secure a penalty from the left.
Minutes before the break, Bandon unleashed Soren Minihane through the middle, Crowley finding the full-back who ran a fantastic line from half-way to power over and take the lead.
Half-time: Presentation Brothers College 7-8 Bandon Grammar School
Bandon enjoyed a lengthy spell of possession after the break and were soon rewarded with a penalty in prime position.
Crowley pushed Bandon further in front with a sweet strike in front of the posts come the 53rd minute.
Pres replacement Michael Hand then collected a loose ball to race down the right flank and touch down to take a one-point lead in the closing stages.
Bandon reacted almost instantly after securing the ball in the scrum, it was prop Conor Heaney who barged over to claim the lead once more before Crowley converted in the 67th minute.
Pres found themselves deep inside the 22 and with the forwards edging closer, Number 8 Alex Kendellen crashed over before Bruce added the winning conversion to take in the 70th minute.
Play continued into injury time with Bandon showing great determination in the final moments but it was Pres’ day.
They will meet local rivals Christian Brothers College in an all-Cork final at Irish Independent Park on Sunday 17 March, kick-off 4pm.
Full-time: Presentation Brothers College 19-18 Bandon Grammar School
PBC: Mark McLoughlin; Daniel Squires, Sean Henry Squires, Peter Cunningham, Darragh French; Louis Bruce (C), Joe O’Leary; Rory Duggan, Darragh Murphy, Darragh McSweeney, David McCarthy, Eoin Quilter, Jack Kelleher, John Forde, Alex Kendellen.
Replacements: Ben Comiskey, Ciaran O’Connor, Adam O’Connor, David O’Halloran, Mark Fitzgibbon, James O’Shaughnessy, Alex Walsh, Michael Hand, Sam O’Sullivan, Daniel Hurley.
Bandon Grammar School: Soren Minihane; Tom Beare, Joshua Dalton, Bruce Matthews, Harry Hall; Jack Crowley (C), Ciaran Roberts; David Ogden, Michael Archer, Conor Heaney, Moses Lynn, Joshua Brady, Jason Connolly, John Beamish, Niall Beamish.
Replacements: Brian O’Donnell, Alex O’Connor, Chris Coomey, Nick Greene, Sam Golden, Rowan Palmer, Robert O’Connor, Jack Walsh, James O’Donovan, David Twomey.
Referee: Eoghan Cross (MAR)
