Crescent College bow out of Munster Schools Senior Cup after replay defeat to CBC

HOLDERS Crescent College Comprehensive bowed out of this season's Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup after suffering 34-29 defeat to CBC, of Cork, in their semi-final replay at Thomond Park this Thursday afternoon.

Crescent produced a storming comeback from 12 points down in the drawn fixture at Musgrave Park last week. However, the Dooradoyle side were unable to repeat the trick here as Christians took an early 10-point lead, led by eight points at half-time and were 15 points to the good some five minutes into the second half.

CBC, who now met PBC in the final on Tuesday week at Musgrave Park, outscored their opponents by five tries to four in an entertaining contest.

The winners laid the foundation for their win in the opening half after which they led 20-12 at the end of an incident-packed 35 minutes which produced five tries and three yellow cards.

Christians' built an early 12-0 lead with two tries from dynamic hooker Adam Wrona. Back came Crescent to their credit with flanker Fionn Casserly dotting down off a well-executed maul for 10-5.

CBC then regained the initiative when scoring a third try through number eight Daniel Rock. Full-back Benjamin Lynch added the extras and a 22nd minute penalty as the Cork side stretched their lead out to 15 points at 20-5.

Crescent badly needed to score next to remain in the contest and that they did when awarded a penalty try in the 33nd minute as a well-executed maul was illegally halted.

The CBC lead was down to eight points at half-time, but was increased just five minutes after the restart when Christopher Barrett collected a neatly placed chip from Ronan O'Keefe before racing clear to score. 

Charlie Patrick O'Shea added the conversion to increase Christians' lead to 15 points, 27-12.

Crescent were far from done, however. Replacement Charlie Fenton dotted down for the Dooradyle side's third try, with Ein O'Callaghan's successful conversion leaving eight points between the sides at 27-19.

However, CBC recovered from that blow and, from a tap and go penalty deep inside the Crescent '22, prop Sam Loftus powered over for their fifth try of the afternoon.

Charlie Patrick-O'Shea duly added the extras for 34-19. 

The action wasn't over yet however, with Crescent rewarded for their endeavour late on as prop Mark Fitzgerald burrowed his way over the tryline late on. Ryan Godfrey also added the conversion to leave five points between the sides at full-time.

CBC will now meet their Cork rivals PBC in the final of this season’s Pinergy Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup on Tuesday, March 14 in Musgrave Park, 2pm.

Crescent College Comprehensive: Jed O’Dwyer, Joshua Boland, Eoin O’Callaghan, Joe McEnery, Ryan Godfrey, Oscar Davey, Marcus Lyons; Mark Fitzgerald, Conor Clery, Denis O’Dwyer, Jack Somers, Sean Magee, Fionn Casserly, Andrew Ahearne, Cillian Kelly. Replacements: Jonathan Byrne, Cathal Lanigan Ryan, Conor Ryan, Jordan Power, Charlie Fenton, Cormac Quinn, Michael O’Mara, Evan Cusack, Ben Gallagher, Evan Bennett.

CBC: Benjamin Lynch, Christopher Barrett, Alex O’Connell, Gavin O’Riordan, Evan Cahill Murphy, Charlie Patrick O’Shea, Jack Casey; Sam Loftus, Adam Wrona, Denis Callaghan, Conor Kennelly, Michael Foy, Mark Skelly, Odhran Prenter, Daniel Rock. Replacements: Stephen O’Shaughnessy, Cian Walsh, Harry Foster, Michael Doyle, George Good, Johnny O’Shea, Conor Foley, Leo O’Leary, Ronan O’Keefe, Jack O’Callaghan.

Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)