PBC’s Double Cup Success

Presentation Brothers College claimed an historic double on Wednesday by winning their second Schools Cup title in two days. With the Seniors having won the Avonmore Munster Schools Senior Cup on Monday, the PBC Junior team defeated Castletroy College 11-3 to take the Avonmore Munster Schools Junior Cup title on Wednesday.

While conditions were damp, the weather didn’t deter the sizeable crowd who turned out to cheer on the sides with gusto. The slippery conditions didn’t help either team as the players fought to hold their balance and onto the ball throughout the course of the game.

PBC sought to exert early pressure in the opening exchanges but very quickly Castletroy gained possession and maintained their hold on the ball for long periods in the first half. While the Limerick side settled and started putting phases together, PBC displayed a disciplined defence as they continually rebutted the Castletroy attack. After a period of pressure, Castletroy claimed the first points with a penalty converted by Padraig O’Connor after nine minutes of play. Castletroy out half Peter Murray showed great vision and skill with a number of chips through gaps in the PBC defence causing some anxious moments in the first half. After 20 minutes of play PBC’s attacking game came to the fore as they pushed the Castletroy team back into their own half. PBC flanker Jack Duffy’s crunching tackle on Murray on the 22 resulted in a penalty for PBC, after referee George Clancy noted a diving into the ruck offence by Castletroy. PBC fullback Pat Deasy bagged the equaliser after 23 minutes of play. Four minutes later the power of the PBC pack was illustrated after a late tackle on Deasy gave PBC a penalty. From the ensuing line out, the PBC pack impressively mauled from the 22 to go over the try line. Hooker Brian Vaughan eventually got the grounding, and while the conversion went just right of the posts, PBC now led 8-3 going into the break. The second half remained a close affair, with Castletroy always looking to find a gap through the tight PBC defence and the Cork side seeking to clear their lines and push Castletroy back inside their half. Castletroy certainly weren’t going to surrender their chance at the title easily, with the Limerick side tenacious in their play throughout. A 46th minute penalty to PBC on the 22 gave PBC another three points, stretching their lead to 11-3. Despite chasing an eight point lead for the last quarter of the game, the Limerick side showed great creativity and determination to the very end. Much as Castletroy tried, they were not able to make any inroads into the score line and PBC held out for an 11-3 victory, completing the double and giving the Mardyke school yet another reason to celebrate this week.

Castletroy College
15. Anthony Collins, 14. Al Dolan, 13. Padraig O’Connor, 12. Padraig Quinn, 11. Sean Cunningham, 10. Peter Murray, 9. Daniel Foley, 1. Keith Kennedy, 2. Alex de Sousa, 3. James Rael, 4. Michael O’Dwyer, 5. Brian Stokes, 6. Michael Dooley, 7. Kevin Doyle, 8. Darragh Hannan (Captain)
Replacements: Neil Cronin for Foley (46), John McCarthy for Dooley (51), Ger Keane for Stokes (51)
Not used: 18. Stephen O’Carroll, 19. Tadgh MacInerney, 21. Paddy Gleeson

Presentation Brothers College
15. Pat Deasy, 14. Will Murphy, 13. Cian Bohane, 12. Graham Murray, 11. Sean Og Murphy, 10. Jack Costigan, 9. Mathew Kelleher, 1. Niall Scannell (Captain), 2. Brian Vaughan, 3. Ian Mullarkey, 4. Dave O’Mahony (wearing 6), 5. Killian Kingston, 6. Rob O’Herlihy (wearing 4), 7. Jack Duffy, 8. Brian Carroll
Replacements: Cathal O’Flaherty for Kingston (53), Paul McKeown for O’Herlihy
Not used: 16. Bryan Coughlan, 17. Steve Lynch, 18. Kieran Ryan, 19. Daniel Horgan, 20. Aaron O’Connor