PBC Win 29th Munster Schools Senior Cup Title

Presentation Brothers College went back tied on top of the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup honours board, with an attritional 11-3 victory over Glenstal Abbey played in atrocious conditions at Thomond Park this afternoon.

Glenstal could never really get their free-flowing running game going under heavy rain and a swirling wind on the banks of the Shannon, and in the end Pres’ professionalism told, as Seán French scored all 11 of their points, including the crucial first-half try.

A swirling wind around Thomond Park made a high-pressure occasion even more treacherous for the two sides, but they put their heads down and got to work in front of large followings for both teams.

Pres had the lion’s share of possession in the opening five minutes, without ever really challenging a steadfast Glenstal defence, competing in their first final since 1970’s replay against Rockwell College.

The current bunch saw themselves fall behind on the quarter-hour mark as they were pinged for not rolling away, and French – sharing kicking duties with Peter Sylvester – struck it sweetly into the prevailing Westerly winds on the South terrace.

That lead didn’t last long however, as three minutes later Pres themselves were called for hanging on a little late after the tackle, and Ben Healy continued to impress with the boot, confidently striking over the leveling three points.

Having seen a quiet opening quarter, the middle of the game saw a flurry of activity, and Pres broke the try drought; going through the hands well before French showed ruthless finishing. However, having been forced to drop-goal the conversion, he couldn’t convert, leaving five point between the sides at half-time.

As the wind once again picked up the showpiece event descended into a true gritty final, with neither side wanting to make a mistake given the delicate balance between the two teams.

Pres – in particular centre French – were backing themselves however, and having won a penalty just inside the Glenstal half he elected to go for the posts. The strike was sweet, but just right and wide with five minutes gone in the second.

Both sides were beginning to visibly tire, battling not only each other, but also the worsening conditions. Pres were having the better of things, and had camped inside the Glenstal 22 for the majority of the half, but being held out against a fantastic Abbey defence.

Having battled for so long, a glint of hope arrived in Conor Booth’s break, but tackled by Jonathan Wren he was pinged for holding on, and late in the game French put the icing on the cake, upping his own, and his side’s total to 11, securing Pres’ 29th title to go back level with Cork rivals Christian Brothers College.

Glenstal Abbey: Jack O’Mahony; Tim Molony, Jamie Mawhinney, Luke Fitzgerald, Ronan Quinn; Ben Healy, Thanade McCoole; Sean Scanlon-Garry, George Downing, Eoin Bergin, Conan O’Sullivan, Shane Downes, Conor Booth, Mark Fleming, Rory Clarke (C).

Replacements: Padraic Mulligan, Patrick Prendergast, Henry Downing, James Fitzgerald, Mark Walsh, Andrew Walsh, Aran Egan, Declan Floyd, Eoin Callaghan, Andrew Hogan.

Presentation Brothers College: Jonathan Wren; Paul Buckley, Seán French, James Broderick, Tom Fitzgerald; Peter Sylvester, Gary Bradley; Conor Burke, Billy Scannell, Brian O’Conor, Adam McAuliffe, Mark McCarthy, Cian Fitzgerald, David Hyland, Jack O Sullivan (C).

Replacements: Alex Keating, Kieran Nugent, Eoin Burns, Cathal Browne, Eoin Quilter, David Harrington, Sam O’Donovan, Harry Dillon, Louis Bruce, Paul Kennedy.

Referee: Ken Imbusch (MAR)