Pres survive late Munchin’s scare

PBC 12 St Munchin’s 6

Needing a converted try to upset the Cup favourites, Munchin’s poured forward in waves as the clock ticked past the 70 minute mark. Their momentum, aided by Pres indiscipline, saw the Limerick college rapidly gain ground through a succession of quick tap penalties and the last play set the dangerous Craig O’Hanlon free. But as the Munchin’s flyer darted for the corner, Simon Zebo and Johnny McCarthy got across to produce a double tackle in what proved the last play of the game.

On reflection it was probably a fair result. Tries win games and Pres posted two courtesy of their excellent scrum half Dave O’Driscoll and Ireland Schools captain, Brian O’Hara. But having built up a 12-0 half-time lead, the Cork students found themselves on the back foot for almost the entire second half. Munchin’s mixed up their game brilliantly on the turnover, Robert Guerin and Michael Kelleher varying their kicks to great effect, pinning the holders back inside their 22 for large portions of the half. Danny Barnes and Ger Bourke made incisive inroads and place kicker Michael Madden, while missing two penalties, kept his side in contention by converting another two.