Schools Rugby/Munster Senior Cup semi-final: Presentation Brothers College claimed local bragging rights over Christian Brothers College at Musgrave Park yesterday in a repeat of last year's final, with the victory ensuring they will defend their title in this year's Avonmore Milk Munster School Senior Cup final against St Munchin's College.
Despite ceding possession and territorial advantage early on, it was PBC who scored first, with fullback Jeff Power's penalty after seven minute. His second successful kick, on 20 minutes, stretched the lead, and CBC did not score until the half-hour mark, through a penalty by outhalf Stuart Lee.
Both teams scored in first-half injury-time, with PBC captain Brian Dennehy crossing the line and Lee adding another penalty to leave the score 11-6 at half-time to PBC.
Eleven minutes into the second half, Power stretched the PBC lead to 14-6 from another penalty, but two minutes later, CBC hooker Wayne Falvey crossed the line for a well-worked try.
Power was again on target after 55 minutes, but CBC threw everything at the holders in the final minutes, forcing PBC to dig deep to claim the victory.
Best for CBC included scrumhalf Dermot Collins who was a constant threat, centres Derek Houlihan and Eoin French, secondrow Stephen Holland and captain and number eight Kieran Essex. It was a great all-round team performance from PBC, who took their chances and defended solidly. In Jeff Power, PBC have found a supremely capable kicker, while front row Andrew O'Driscoll, Niall McCarthy and Matt Kearney impressed.
PBC: J Power; B Derham, B Dennehy (capt), T Kenneally, K Buckley; S Deasy, S Costigan; N McCarthy, A O'Driscoll, M Kearney, M Kenefick, R McCarthy, N Barry, R Love, R Allen
CBC: C Nolan; S McCarthy, I Dineen, D Houlihan, E French; S Lee, D Colllins; J Ryan, W Falvey, S Archer, P Murphy, S Holland, S O'Sullivan, J Noonan, K Essex (capt). Replacements: T Keogh for Murphy (44 mins), F Tummon for Lee, I McCarthy for Collins (both 68 mins), R O'Donoghue for Holland (74 mins).
Referee: S Flannery (MAR).
