Schools Senior Cup Win For Christians

Christian Brothers College came from behind to defeat Crescent College Comprehensive to book their place in the quarter finals of the Munster Schools Senior Cup at Thomond Park.

Crescent College Comprehensive 5, Christian Brothers College 17.

The Limerick side got off to a great start when winger Glen Dickenson got in for a try inside the opening minute.

The only other score in the first half was a penalty for Christians from James Taylor.

Two super second half tries from Christian’s center Alex McHenry decided this contest.

The first came on fifty three minutes when he crossed the line and Taylor’s conversion made it 10-5.

He made sure of victory as the game entered injury time with his second try and Taylor again converted to give the Sydney Hill College a home tie in the quarter finals.

Match Report Courtesy of:- Fionn O'Connor, Christian Brothers College

Tremendous display as Christians Overcome Crescent at Thomond Park

The rain cleared just before the three o’clock kick off, seeming to make way for what proved to be a momentous occasion for Christians rugby team and their supporters. The hard fought clashes in this recent rivalry had left a bitter taste in the mouth of the CBC players and coaches, but Christians resilience and determination gained from these previous encounters would prove to be vital in obtaining victory against the odds.

The ten busloads of Christian supporters were left in a state of disbelief as Glenn Dickenson scurried over the line to put Crescent in the lead in less than 60 seconds, after receiving a pass that was certainly forward from Billy O’Hora. Christians managed to recompose themselves quickly, driving forward in the hope of equalling the score. Their gallant efforts were rewarded 7 minutes later with a penalty, James Taylor stepped up and converted superbly to make it 5-3. From then on it was one-way traffic as Christians launched a seemingly endless barrage of attacks on a sturdy Crescent back row.

Christians best chance of the first half came as Ian Casey showed great skill to chip the ball over Crescent’s defence, using his abundant agility that we’ve grown accustomed to watching, caught his own kick running out of space just 5 yards short of the Crescent try-line. Against the odds Crescent managed to cling onto their narrow lead going into half-time. Christians returned from the half time break with increased determination after an inspiring team talk from Neil Lucey. This became evident as they flung themselves against Crescent’s brave backrow. The increased pressure finally payed off in the 54th minute as Alex McHenry broke through Crescent’s defence after a well worked lineout. James Taylor stepped up and converted yet again putting Christians 5-10 up with less than 25 minutes left to play.

Crescent’s admirable defending had left its toll and this became self-evident as they faced up to the insurmountable task of gaining an equaliser against a Christians team which had proved to be physically and mentally stronger than themselves. With less than 15 minutes to go, a momentary lapse of concertation in the Christians defence served to give Crescent their best chance of the second half, as Jack Lyons passed to Matthew Hanly knocking the ball forward just 10 yards short of the try line. The remaining Crescent attacks proved to be futile being broken up with fantastic tackles by Daragh Feeney and Conor Leahy. Crescent’s clear tiredness showed 5 minutes from the end when Alex McHenry seemingly glided through Crescent’s defence unscathed to cap off a superb team effort by Christians.

James Taylor converted again to finish off a brilliant individual performance and to make the final score 5-17. The Christians team showed great character to overcome a potentially catastrophic start and to strive forward to victory. This result progresses Christians to the Quarter Finals of “The Munster Senior Cup”, with their talented team and their loyal supporters they will make a very formidable opponent capable of progressing far in this competition.

Scorers Crescent College Comprehensive: Glen Dickenson try.
C.B.C.: Alex McHenry 2 tries, James Taylor 2 cons, pen.

Crescent College Comprehensive: Daniel Hurley; Glen Dickenson, Calvin Nash, Billy O’Hora, Jake Fehilly; Matthew Hanly, Jack Lyons; Jack Henchy, Jason Barry, Thomas Connolly; Fintan Coleman, John Blake; Niall Mulcahy, Peter Hickey, Bailey Faloon.
Replacements: Michael Sheehan, Anson Thai, Scott Leahy, Daniel Feasey, Mark Edwards, Mark Shanahan, Conor Phillips.

CBC: Liam Coombes; Oisin Conway, John O’Hea, Alex McHenry, Ian Casey; James Taylor, Richard Cassidy; James Humphries, Gordon Good, Conor Leahy; Richard Thompson, Sean Duffy; Ross O'Neill, Robert Hyde, Daire Feeney (Capt);,
Replacements: Shane Bushe, Peter Kelleher, Ciaran McHugh, Declan Barry, Eoghan Cahill, Colin Sisk, Barry Galvin, Robert Hedderman.

Referee: Tommy O’Donoghue (MAR).