Forward-thinking Christians edge Barry Cup derby

CBC, Cork 15 PBC, Cork 14

Yesterday, at Musgrave Park, Christian Brothers retained the Barry Cup and the bragging rights - but it was ever so close.

Over the 70 minutes, Christians probably deserved their victory, and for that they will thank a set of forwards - Tom Keogh, Shane McCarthy and Aidan Foley were always to the fore - that just about shaded an absorbing battle for supremacy.

Christians put themselves into what most felt was a secure 15-7 lead 12 minutes into the second half, but Pres responded to cut the gap to one and nearly took the honours at the death.

Pres out half Barry Kelleher intercepted inside his own half and appeared to be well on his way to scoring a sensational winning try when closed down by a chasing Christians defence. Recognising he was about to be caught, he launched an overhead pass into the path of two supporting players, only for the effort to fail.

However, Kelleher had played a leading role in the creation of the two Pres tries, scored by Alec Rose and Brian Derham, who kicked both conversions.

But Christians set down a marker from the third minute when second row Tom Keogh powered over for the first try of the game and Mark Donovan converted.

Alec Rose was sent away by Kelleher nine minutes later and the centre had the pace and sidestepping skills to leave the Christian’s defence in tatters. Derham converted.

Donovan put Christians back in the lead shortly before half-time and, ultimately, that proved to be a deciding factor.

Cormac Horgan’s second half try, after a period of intense pressure, extended Christians’ lead, but Pres responded in typical fashion.

Conor Flaherty won a succession of line-outs and Christians may have been fortunate not to concede a penalty try or sin-binning for dragging-down offences.

However, Pres got their reward when Kelleher subsequently put Derham in for the converted try.

Christians had further chances and missed a kickable penalty, while Pres lost their final victory chance at the end.

CBC: M. Donovan, G. O’Sullivan, F. Tummon, C. Horgan, E. Franch, R. O’Donoghue, C. Martin, J. Ryan, A. Cudmore, A. Foley, T. Keogh, B. Reidy, S. McCarthy, I. McCarthy, N. Murphy. Replacements. R. O’Connor for S. McCarthy (injured, 55), N. Keogh for Reidy (57), N. Courtney for Horgan (injured, 70).

PBC: L. Dockoy, S. Quinlan, B. Derham, A. Rose, K. Buckley, B. Kelleher, P. Hogan, R. Dermody, R. Corkery, C. O’Donovan, D. Twohig, C. O’Flaherty, D. O’Hara, R. Owens, R. Murphy. Replacements. R. Quinn for O’Hara (65)

Referee: D. Browne (Munster Association).