CBC booked their place in the semifinals of the Pinergy Boys Munster Schools Senior Cup as Charlie O’Shea notched ten points to inspire his side to victory.

A win is a win and for Tommy Crowe’s contingent they have a semi final to look forward to after what was an energy sapping encounter in Virgin Media Park.

Christians controlled the tempo and despite the arduous conditions were able to overcome a stern Munchins outfit who gave them a real battle in both sides opening contest of the competition.

Losing two players to serious injuries as key points in the game was a sucker to take for Christian’s but showing serious character they charged on and will meet the winner of quarter final one, where the losers of PBC/Crescent College Comprehensive will meet the winners of Rockwell and Glenstal Abbey.

Munchins must now lick their wounds as Wednesday will tell who they meet in the last four of the competition, Bandon Grammar or Ardscoil Rís will certainly prove a tough contest. 

Missing Tom Wood with injury certainly was a massive blow for Munchins, in the opening half playing into a stiff breeze they failed to threaten CBC and in the second half just notched a singular score as Oisín Minogue crossed.

Christians forward line looked menacing, in the early minutes they pinned back Munchins in the hopes of getting off to the optimum start.

Wave after wave of attack and in the scrum their shunt was able to pin Munchins deep inside their own half. With 11 minutes on the clock the pressure would tell for St Munchins, another strong scrum got CBC ball in hand close to the line, an offload to the steam train Danny Rock saw the captain power over for the opening try, Charlie O’Shea converting for a 7-0 lead.

Munchins kicking game struggled with the intense breeze as the Cork side were able largely to keep them subdued inside their own half of the field.

Certainly the Shannonsiders showed signs of life, trying their best to pin CBC back, as they looked to kick in behind O’Shea gathered and struck a sensational 50-22 to put the pressure right back on the Treaty men.

O’Shea had the hand in playing the killer pass to set the move up and in the end finished it. From their line out maul Christians ran the phases and when O’Shea took possession from Chris Barrett at the ruck near the posts, a slight dummy saw the out half open a gap and then act in for a second try and a 12-0 lead.

Christians were full value as they took that lead to the break, St Munchins were playing their socks off but with the testing conditions they found the route to the posts impassable.

A first half never wins you a game but in this one it gave CBC the edge, with 5-3 tallied in the second half, Christian’s may have lost that one, the penalty from O’Shea would be vital in the end to secure the win.

Munchins had the hit between their teeth in the second half, attacking with a lot more purpose as they certainly had more of the ball with the wind at their backs.

The scores needed to win this contest just failed to arrive, O’Shea made it 15-0 with a close range penalty to open the scoring in the second half.

Munchins had a strong pack when they were able to go on the offensive and would grab a score from a line out maul as Oisín Minogue powered his way over.

A ten point gap as a result and one they could not reduce, despite their best efforts CBC just had a magic touch in defence and will pose a big threat in this competition going forward.

Post Match:

https://youtu.be/6MykhwIRayE

https://youtu.be/xURpEOUgwns