CBC recover to ease past Munchins

CHRISTIAN College, Cork, recovered from a poor start to comfortably defeat St Munchin's in the Coca Cola Munster Schools Junior Cup semi-final at Thomond Park yesterday.

St Munchin's 5 CBC 22

This was a highly entertaining game in which St Munchin's held the initiative in the early stages even though playing against a strong wind. Inspired by their outstanding number eight and captain Jason Organ, they imposed considerable pressure on the Cork boys and it came as no surprise when Organ forced his way over after a close range scrum.

With Richard Mullane in the centre always looking dangerous, Munchins had one or two more chances before Christians settled and gradually assumed total control.

Hooker Andrew Cudmore, second-row Shane Walsh and the back-row of skipper Shane McCarthy, Brian O'Callaghan and Chris Moore were outstanding up front while Munchins found it increasingly difficult to cope with the surging runs of nimble scrum-half Chris Nolan and centres Pat Parfrey and Darren Loftus. The latter in particular made a telling impact when introduced as a replacement shortly before the interval.

Parfrey must be disappointed after he broke clean through on 25 minutes but allowed the ball slip from his grasp as he attempted touch down.

Christians were not to be denied and openside flanker Shane McCarthy raced through the tiring Munchins defence for the equaliser on the stroke of half time.

The second half was all CBC. Impressive pace and angles of running saw Chris Nolan score their second try within six minutes of the resumption.

Now 10-5 in front, they turned the screw in the 46th minute when Chris Moore broke through from a ruck on the Munchins 22 and was never going to be stopped for try number three.

The fourth came just before the finish when second-row Ryan O'Connor forced his way over after a tap penalty close to the line and this time Cormac Horgan added the points.

Christians now go in search of their 12th title and their first since 2001. In the final, they will meet the winners of today's second semi-final between holders Ard Scoil Rís and PBC at Dooradoyle.

CBC: H. Hoffman; Shaun McCarthy, C. O'Halloran, P. Parfrey, G. O'Sullivan; C. Horgan, C. Nolan; J. Ryan, A. Cudmore, J. Bransfield, S. Walsh, R. O'Connor, C. Moore, ShaneMcCarthy capt, D. O'Callaghan. Replacements, D. Loftus for O'Halloran 27 mins; C. Martin for Nolan; B. Fleming for Parfrey and L. Crean for Cudmore, all 60 mins.

ST MUNCHINS: A. Murnane; K. Harnett, R. Guerin, R. Mullane, C. Murray; S. Coughlan, B. Tier; I. Benson, S. O'Neill, R. Gloster, E. Culhane, D. O'Halloran, S. Clery, I. Houlihan, J. Organ capt. Replacement, E. Cunnane for Clery 50 mins.

Referee: P. Fitzgibbon (Munster).