Despite Christian Brothers College crossing for a stoppage time try, Pres managed to hold on and now sit at the top step of Munster Schools Rugby with a record setting 32nd title, two points the difference in a pulsating end to a sensational final.

It was Pres that took the spoils but Christians gave them a right test. The long awaited rematch from last year and certainly they performed better than the one sided result we saw last campaign.

Presentation Brothers College fought till the bitter end, they almost left it behind them having led 26-12 at the break, Christians with two tries shy of the final whistle almost made it a dramatic conclusion to this heart stopping Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup Final.

The current holders had the ideal start, having dealt with early pressure getting a lineout in the CBC end proved dividends. A terrific take at the lineout and Pres kickstarted their flowing attack, quick hands finding Neville O’Leary. O’Leary used his pace and quick feet toi burst through and his carry took him close to the Christians line. 

CBC did well however in their defence to turnover the ball, Daire O’Callaghan looking to clear the danger near his own five metre line, Gene O’Leary Kareem pounced on the kick however and the block allowed the Pres captain to race in for the opening try. Converting for a 7-0 lead inside two minutes.

A lead that was short lived. After the purple smoke had cleared, Christians started to get possession in the Pres half, applying some serious pressure as their forwards attempted to pierce their way through the blockade. PBC were diligent in defence but a penalty would haunt them shy of the tenth minute.

Christians looked to go wide but the pass to an open Alex O’Connell was underhit on the right flank, play brought back for a tap go penalty in front of the posts. Cian Walsh made the first big hit from the set play and after phase after phase camped on the Pres line Ian Morton crossed the whitewash. Charlie Patrick O’Shea converted to level the tie.

Very much end to end in the opening quarter, when Pres had possession inside the Christians ten metre line they always posed a threat. Beautiful flowing passing with electric movement to carve a team open. 

A third try would arrive just minutes after CBC equalised, James O’Leary somehow bursting through a gap in the Christians rearguard and his sheer strength combined with his pace  saw the centre dot down. O’Leary Kareem with the close range conversion for the 14-7 advantage. 

The ever changing narrative to this contest certainly made the already entertaining spectacle that little bit more magic. While the narrative changed in similar fashion to the earlier lead again it was not long before Christians got their second try.

Pres trying to clear their line but unable to deal with the pressure and a knock on following an attempted clearance kick gave CBC a dangerous scrum inside the Pres 22. Christians with the strong put in and the electric captain Danny Rock powered away at the tail destined for the line. Held short of the line, CBC recycled well and sprayed play to the right wing, PBC opened up on that side and Bill McCarthy crossed with 22 minutes on the clock. O’Shea levelling matters again from the tee.

Momentum looked to be with the school from Sidney Hill as they applied serious pressure inside the Pres half. The holders very much boxed inside their own half but after numerous phases had managed to get close to half way and a penalty to touch gave them yardage in the CBC end of Virgin Media Park.

As the minutes ticked closer to half time Pres soon rubber stamped their lead on the tie. Numerous phases of attack close to the Christians line resulted in James O’Leary crossing for his second try. O’Leary Kareem missed the resulting conversion but Pres were not done yet.

Following the restart Pres turned defence into attack. Looking to run possession into the Christians end, John Wigginton Barrett was roaming on the right wing and as Pres worked the ball to Wigginton Barrett the result was magical. The winger evaded an initial barrage of CBC players before putting the afterburners to race down the touchline, cutting inside and using his quick feet to banana skin the last CBC man in defence to race under the posts for their fourth try. O’Leary Kareem made it 26-14, a lead they took to the intermission. 

The second half was certainly more of a cagey affair now that Pres had built their lead. While both pressed early, neither could find the gap for a score. Following a high tackle in the centre of the field, CBC captain Danny Rock was sent to the bin. Numerical advantage now with the leaders.

Pres took that possession into the CBC end and kept knocking on the door and again opting wide this time for the right channel, Neville O’Leary showed his sheer strength and terrific determination to get over for a fifth try for Pres. O’Leary Kareem struck a beautiful conversion near the touchlone for a 33-14 lead.

While their lead was furthered, Christians were quick to reply. Bursting down the far touchline gave them ground to work a score, in the blink of an eye they transitioned well toward the Centre looking for the line. Again a penalty advantage would occur and CBC set up a dangerous tap go penalty. A powerful front row acting as battering rams to shove for the line and Conor Kenneally added their third try, Charlie Patrick O’Shea converting and while Pres did have a healthy cushion, Christians were still there.

By god were they there. A sensational finish to proceedings as Christians almost saw the game end in a draw. Ronan O’Keeffe dotted down in the corner near the end of normal time to cut the gap down to seven as Charlie Patrick O’Shea missed the conversion. The out-half in stoppage time kicked crossfield for O’Keeffe to collect and score in the corner, the conversion again missed the mark and the cruel hand of fate saw Christians suffer a heartbreaking defeat.

Post Match

Ger Burke