Gripping battle on cards as arch-rivals lock horns
Both teams left it late to record wins in their respective semi-finals: Pres captain Scott Deasy landed a last minute conversion into a biting cross-field wind against Crescent, while Christians’ Niall Courtney scored a dramatic injury time try that ousted 2006 champions St Munchin’s 13-8.
Deasy, appearing in his third straight Senior Cup final, has been a pivotal figure in Pres’ road to the final. The Ireland U19 out half will be the first to acknowledge the contribution of his pack, one that is capable of building a strong platform for the Pres backs. Prop Peter Kelleher, who doubles as a fine lineout thrower, is at his best in the loose while Niall Barry, Brian O’Hara and Michael Kenefick are crucial cogs in a very competent Pres pack.
“We know we’re in for a searching examination particularly up front and it’s something we’re aware of and prepared for,” says Pres coach Don Buckley.
“We’d be hopeful of a good outcome.
“We hope that our lineout will challenge theirs. Also if we hold our own in the scrum, we’d be in a good position to win the game if our lineout functions.”
Pres appear in their sixth consecutive final, their success coming in 2005 when they beat Christians 6-3. Deasy, Barry and Kenefick started in last year’s heart-breaking final loss to St Munchin’s, one where the Cork school dominated possession but couldn’t convert it into scores. According to Buckley talk of what happened in 06 has not been discussed by the class of 2007.
Said Buckley: “When you’re playing with your peers, the guys you grew up with and played with from under 13 through Junior Cup level and on, you do carve your own niche and there won’t be any talk of previous set backs.
“It’ll be just concentrating on the 2007 Cup final.”
The Mardyke College’s pack are in for a stiff test against a physically-imposing CBC front eight. Christians’ front row of John Ryan, Andrew Cudmore and Jack Bransfield are solid at scrum-time, but also are hugely effective in making the hard yards while no 8 Brian O’Callaghan has grown immeasurably as the Cup has progressed.
The performance of their half backs Chris Nolan and Robbie O’Donoghue will be critical in CBC’s quest for a 28th Senior Cup title, and a first since 2003. The loss of sturdy and secure centre Pat Parfrey (cruciate), puts the onus on Nolan and O’Donoghue to give Christians good go-forward ball, and crucially for Christians the pair’s line-breaking abilities are their strong points.
“They (pres) will have analysed us — they will have seen us on the TV,” says CBC coach Peter Melia. “I’m expecting them to play a mix of the two types of games they can play and they have done that in the last couple of years.
“They’ve had a very strong forward pack over the last number of years which has allowed them do the close-in driving maul. And it has been very effective.
“They’ve also got Scott Deasy behind the scrum who I think has got the best game appreciation than any young three quarter, certainly in this province.”
CBC’s last Senior Cup success came in 2003 when they beat today’s rivals.
That was a star-laden team. The 2007 class do not have any Ireland internationals, “no stars” says Melia, but it has developed a strong collective resolve.
“Because you don’t look to any one individual to pull a game out of the fire, it’s a collective focus. And it has brought us great dividends in the latter end of the season,” says Melia.
Today will also be a special day for CBC out half Robbie O’Donoghue. His father, Robert Snr, won a Senior Cup medal with Christians in 1973 alongside Kevin McCarthy, whose son Shane captains CBC today. Three of Robbie’s uncles have also won Senior Cup medals with Christians in the seventies, and Robert will be hoping to add to that family collection today.
It will be close. Dry conditions could dictate a fast and open game as both teams are capable of playing fifteen-man rugby; a wet and windy afternoon could force both sides to keep it tight and play the percentages. Pres, last crowned champions in 2005 are appearing in their sixth consecutive final, and are slight favourites to edge what should be an epic battle.
O Mulrooney; D Loftus, N Courtney, C Martin, Shaun McCarthy; R O’ Donoghue, C Nolan; J Ryan, A Cudmore, J Bransfield; T Keogh, K O’ Dwyer; R O’Connor, Shane McCarthy (capt), B O’Callaghan. Replacements: A Foley, S Walsh, J Mulcahy, J Crowley, B O’Regan, C Horgan, B Fleming.
G Nugent; T Cullinane, A Rose, B Kelleher, S Zebo; S Deasy (capt), D O’Driscoll; P Kelleher, R Corkery, R Darmody; D Lucey, M Kenefick; N Barry, B O’Hara, P O’Mahony. Replacements: B Cagney, E O’Mahony, D Tuohy, J Coyne, C O’Mahony, C O’Flynn, J McCarthy.
L Colgan (MAR).
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