THE ACCURATE boot of Pat McCarthy guided Christian Brothers College, Cork, through to the final of the Munster Schools Junior Cup in an exciting tussle with local rivals Presentation College at Musgrave Park, Cork.

The holders, PBC, will regret not taking their chances as they totally dominated the second period but failed to overtake a resolute Christians side.

For one fleeting moment it looked as if they would advance to another final. When centre Padraig Hayeflew over for a "try" in the last minute Presentation supporters were ecstatic. Their joy was, however, short lived because referee Ger Bennett called PBC back for a forward pass and Christians managed to hold on until the end.

While Christians spent all of the second half on the back foot, their courage in defence was inspirational and for that alone they deserved their place in the final.

McCarthy played a major role. With unerring accuracy he converted penalties in the first, seventh and 22nd minutes to give his side a 9-0 halftime lead.

PBC elected to run three kick able penalties after the break but made no headway against the determined Christians' rear guard and their only joy came via a David Murphy try five minutes from the end. On a day when they made many mistakes, that was a case of too little too late.