Defensive line proves foundation for PBC

PBC 30 St Munchin’s 3: A SECOND try just before half-time from Presentation Brothers paved the way for their Munster Schools…

PBC 30 St Munchin's 3:A SECOND try just before half-time from Presentation Brothers paved the way for their Munster Schools Senior Cup semi-final replay win over yesterday.

In glorious sunshine at The Mardyke, PBC had the guile, gift and ability to not only withstand huge St Munchin’s pressure but to strike back on the counter.

After taking the lead in the fourth minute with an Eoghan Dennehy try in the corner, Pres were put on the back foot for much of the rest of the half. But despite their huge territorial advantage, St Munchin’s just could not break a superb defensive line.

St Munchin’s were almost tenants in the Pres 22 for much of the half, but time and again they were forced to retreat with nothing.

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Pres all the time played the waiting game and, after eventually conceding three points to Brian Mullins on 26 minutes, the Cork school struck again. With a minute gone in injury-time Brian Vaughan somehow drove under a scrum of bodies for an unlikely touchdown. Seán Óg Murphy converted.

On the resumption, Pres were ruthless and drove home their advantage as St Munchin’s conceded penalty after penalty.

Murphy did the needful and within 12 minutes of the restart he had converted twice. Tries from Dan Horgan and a second from Dennehy wrapped up the win.

PBC, CORK:S Glynn; R Caplice, J Costigan, D Horgan, E Dennehy; S Óg Murphy, R Barry; C Keane, B Vaughan, N Scannell, R Herlihy, D O'Mahony, R Murphy, J Duffy, C O'Flaherty. Replacements:K Kingston for Scannell, B Carroll for O'Mahony, R Cullinane for Caplice, E Mills for Dennehy.

ST MUNCHIN'S COLLEGE:B Mullins; C Cunnane, L Kuntz, E Carr, P Curtis; J Murray, D Ryan; S Gavin, E Hogan, J McGovern, E Ryan, G Ryan, J Sherin, K McManus, T Goggin. Replacements:S Tlili for Gavin, C Tsang for Sherin, K McCarthy for Cunnane, R O'Donnell for Ryan.

Referee:D McCormack (MAR).