PBC win classic schools rugby cup final against arch rivals CBC by two points to go one ahead in the role of honour with 32 wins to CBC's 31

PBC 33

CBC 31

Presentation Brothers College retained their Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup title with an epic win over neighbours Christian Brothers College at Virgin Media Park, before a packed crowd on Tuesday afternoon.

This was a game that was full of exciting rugby from start to finish which yielded ten tries with each side scoring five tries.

With twenty three minutes left on the clock, the holders looked like they were home and dry, but a never say die Christians side battled to the finish scoring three tries and came very close to sending the game into a replay.

What an explosive opening ten minutes with both sides getting over the try line.

In the opening minute a break by Harry Murphy and John Wiggington Barrett was halted by Christians but their clearance was blocked down by Pres’ skipper Gene O’Leary Kareem who gathered the loose ball to touch down and also converted for an early 7-0 lead.

Christians who failed to put a score on the board in last year’s final were back on terms in the tenth minute.

A chip through by Christians out half Charlie Patrick O’Shea brought play deep into the Pres’ 22. A quick break by Leo O’Leary sent Ian Morton in for a Christians try, which O’Shea converted.

Pres’ were back in front four minutes later, when James O’Leary burst through several tackles and raced away to touch down with Kareem converting.

Christians showed they were up for the contest and were level for the second time on 21 minutes when a break from a scrum by Christians skipper Danny Rock sent winger Bill McCarthy in for a try and O’Shea converted to leave the sides level 14-14.

A great burst by Pres’ yielded two tries just before the interval. The first came when James O’Leary scored, but Kareem failed to convert.

John Wigginton Barrett outstripped the Christians defence to score in the corner and Kareem expertly converted for a 26-14 half time lead.

Pres’ extended their advantage to nineteen points when Kareem sent Neville O’Leary away to score and Kareem added the extras.

But then came the Christians onslaught with Michael Foy getting over the line and O’Shea converted.

Four minutes before time Ronan O’Keeffe scored in the corner but O’Shea was off target with the conversion.

In the fifth minute of added time Christians pressure was rewarded with a try by Alex O’Connell, but O’Shea failed to send the game to a replay with a difficult conversion.

Scorers for PBC: G O’Leary Kareem try, 4 cons. J O’Leary 2 tries, J Wiggington Barrett, N O’Leary tries.

CBC: I Morton, B McCarthy, M Foy, R O’Keeffe, A O’Connell tries, CP O’Shea 3 cons.

PBC: D Fitzgerald; N O'Leary, G O'Leary Kareem (capt), J O'Leary, J Wiggington Barrett; H Murphy, L Tuohy; M Minogue, P Doyle, W Cronin; D Foley, G O'Keeffe, O Squires, C Bohan, A Alderson.

Replacements: R McLoughlin Barry, F O'Sullivan, D Sheehy, C Donnelly, D Noonan, F óg Sheahan, M Hetherington, L Sisk O’Mahony, E O’Dowd, O Dillon.

CBC: D O’Callaghan; A O’Connell, L O’Leary, G O’Riordan, B McCarthy; CP O’Shea, C Barrett; D Callaghan, D Prenter, C Walsh; M Foy, C Kennelly; M Skelly, I Morton, D Rock (C).

Replacements: C Hughes, R O’Callaghan, S McDonald, R O’Sullivan, C Galvin, J Barrett, C Boylan, C Corkery, A Brady, R O’Keefe.

Referee: A Brace (MAR).