Exceptional PBC too strong for gallant St Munchin's in Munster Senior Schools Cup final

ST MUNCHIN’S College's 20-year wait for a Pinergy Munster Senior Schools Cup title will continue after the Limerick side were beaten 51-3 by Presentation Brothers College at Virgin Media Park on Wednesday.

The Corbally school put in a gallant effort but were second best against an exceptional PBC side who racked up nine tries in the 70 minutes.

The success puts the Mardyke school top of the all-time roll of honour in the competition - one title ahead of their city rivals Christian Brothers College, Cork

After 41-5 and 52-0 wins in their previous two games, PBC were big favourites coming into this game.

Coached by former St Munchin’s pupil Ger Burke, they were clinical in attack and showed why they are so highly rated across the province.

In the early exchanges, St Munchin’s would not be overwhelmed by their opponents reputation, however. The tackling was hard and fierce. So much so that they forced a number of turnovers on the deck. 

A huge hit from Darragh Mullane earned his side a penalty inside the Pres 22. Oisin Madden stepped up and kicked the opening points of the game.

However, the lead would only last two minutes.

PBC quickly gained territory and the pressure told as after a maul, hooker Nathan McCarthy touched down for the opening try of this Cup final.

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The winners didn’t look back.

A gorgeous move - again off a set-play - involving David Nolan and Daniel Murphy put Harry Galvin Carty through to give his side a 12-3 lead inside 14 minutes. 

The Cork side were on a roll now. 

Nolan, Alex Moloney and goalkicker Murphy added tries before the interval to give PBC a 31-3 half-time advantage.

The luckless Limerick school had star Ryan Angley and powerful flanker Ronan O’Brien forced off through injury on a difficult afternoon for them.

Pres kept the job professional from their point of view. Bobby O’Callaghan added a 41st minute try as they started the second half on the front foot.

As both sides emptied the benches the paced of the game dropped but O’Callaghan added a second try 10 minutes from time, before Bobby Waters got in on the act.

Dan O’Leary got the final try to ensure PBC went top of the roll of honour with one of their most impressive victories.

St Munchin’s still have a Junior Cup final to look forward to, where they will look to go one better. They take on CBC, also at Virgin Media Park March 25 at 1.30pm.

SCORERS:

PBC: Tries - Nathan McCarthy, Harry Galvin Carty, David Nolan, Alex Moloney, Daniel Murphy, Bobby O’Callaghan (2), Bobby Waters, Dan O’Leary; Conversions - Daniel Murphy (3).

St Munchin’s: Penalty -  Oisin Madden.

TEAMS:

PBC: Daniel Murphy; Olan Healy, Alex Moloney, Harry Galvin Carty, Bobby O’Callaghan; David Nolan, Frankie Óg Sheahan; Fionn O’Sullivan, Nathan Mac Carthy, Diarmuid Sheehy; Tom Murray, Cathan Bruhn; Eddie Dooley, Cormac Bohan; Rían MacFarlane O’Shea.

Replacements: Ronan Dillon, Sam McKenna Carroll, Bobby Waters, George McSweeney, Conor McLoughlin, Gearoid Coughlin, Joe Healy, Mikey Fitzgerald, Liam O’Brien, Matthew Riordan.

ST MUNCHIN’S: Ryan Angley; Darragh Mullane, Brendan Minogue, Michele Ferrara, Evan Quin; Oisin Madden, Thomas O’Brien; Bobby Meagher, Michael landers, Conor Dillon; Callum McGrath, Cillian McGrath; Ronan O’Brien, Jack Meaney; Dan Foley.

Replacements: Sam McGlynn, Donnacha Colgan, Stephen Bisette, Oisin Gleeson, Paddy O’Driscoll, Alex Fennell, Darragh Newman, Joe Browne, Denis O’Driscoll, Sam Frost.

REFEREE: Paudie Sheehan (MAR).