PBC Win SEAT Munster Schools Junior Cup

Presentation Brothers College claimed victory over Crescent College Comprehensive in the final of the SEAT Munster Schools Junior Cup today at Temple Hill.

P.B.C. 17, Crescent College Comprehensive 12.

Presentation Brothers College won the SEAT Munster Schools Junior Cup for a record 29th time with a deserved victory over Crescent College Comprehensive at Temple Hill.

The strong swirling wind made things difficult for both sides. Pres’ reliable kicker James Broderick was off target with four of his seven kicks at goal, while Crescent were penalized several times for crooked throws into the line out especially in the final quarter as the Limerick side were chasing the game.

Crescent played with the aid of the strong wind in the opening half and center Daniel Hurley always looked dangerous with ball in hand as Crescent went in search of the opening score.

Pres’ scrum half Harry Shanahan proved his worth in this opening period with some delightful kicks to relieve the pressure.

Just as Crescent’s pressure looked like paying off after several drives at the Pres’ line Michael St. Ledger gathered the ball on his own line and raced up the wing only to be bundled into touch deep in the Crescent half.

Pres’ put on the pressure and after Broderick was off target with a penalty effort he made amends on sixteen minutes to put his side ahead 3-0.

Further Pres’ pressure was rewarded five minutes later when from a line out inside the Crescent Twenty Two Pres’ skipper Jack O’Shea found a gap and got in for a try which Broderick converted.

Crescent rallied in the final minutes of the half and were rewarded with a try when Hurley sent winger Aaron Cosgrove in for a try in the corner to leave it 10-5 at half time.

It was all Pres’ pressure at the start of the second half with Broderick off target with two penalty attempts but following a yellow card to Crescent’s prop Jack Henchy, Pres’ made their numerical advantage count when following a series of drives by Pres’ at the Crescent line wing forward Cian Fitzgerald touched down and Broderick added the extras for a 17-5 advantage.

To their credit Crescent kept up the pressure and were rewarded with a try six mutes from time when substitute Mark Fitzgerald touched down in the corner and Brian Ryan expertly converted from the side line to reduce the margin to five points.

Crescent did try to rescue the game in the dying minutes with one break out of defence by Ring was stopped on the Pres’ 22 and with it came the final whistle.

PBC: Michael Healy; Paul Buckley, James Broderick, Jack O’Shea (capt), Michael St Ledger; Peter Sylvester, Harry Shanahan; Niall O'Brien, Billy Scannell, Kevin Morris; Conor O’Flynn, Jack O’Sullivan; Brian O’Connor, Cian Fitzgerald, Jack O'Sullivan. Replacements: Declan O’Brien, Cian Scott, Ethan Keane, Caoimh Glavin, David Duggan, David Harrington, Harry Dillon, Tom Fitzgerald.

Crescent College Comp.: Brian Ryan; Kelvin Brosnahan, Daniel Hurley, Mark Shanahan, Aaron Cosgrove; Matthew Hanley, Bryan Fitzgerald; Jack Henchy, Michael Sheehan, Sean Garry Scanlon; Scott Leahy, Peter King; Tomás Connolly, Edwin Wixted, John Blake (Capt).
Replacements: Eoin O’Halloran, Conor Dennehy, Cillian Reynolds, Mark Fitzgerald, Niall Gannon, Killian O’Shaughnessy, Karl Moloney, Rory McMahon.

Referee: Ken Imbusch (MAR).