CBC turn on the style for historic win
A hundred years after lifting the inaugural title against Rockwell, the Sidney Hill college brought perfect symmetry to the record books by producing a near-flawless display, the highlight of which was a power-packed 15-minute period in the second half that yielded three converted tries.
The Cork college posted five tries in total in a performance built on the raw power and maturity of a superbly-drilled pack led by the irrepressible Willie Ryan, and coupled with the precision and skill amongst their backline, this was a display for the ages.
Rockwell, bidding for a first title since 2001, were in contention when level at the break, but on the resumption, and especially in the final 20 minutes, CBC turned on the style, scoring 21 unanswered points.
Claiming a first title since 2003, for head coach Peter Melia the victory atoned for last year’s loss to Castletroy.
"To win any final is memorable and the manner of our second-half performance puts a gloss on it.”
Melia is assisted by former Munster forwards coach, Brian Hickey, whose expertise was evident in the pack’s display. Led by man-of-the-match Willie Ryan from number 8, there wasn’t a weak link in the front eight with Brian Hayes, Ronan Barry and Kieran Stokes excelling.
The backs were directed superbly by scrum-half Brian Slater whose box-kicking, passing and linebreaking ability were first-class, while out-half Darragh Dunne again excelled out-of-hand and from the boot. Both Joe Holland and Robert Clune contributed handsomely, notching a try apiece.
Rockwell had outstanding players too in Paul McEvoy at full-back, who kicked 14 points, JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Butler, Shane Buckley and James Nolan.
Robert Clune played a huge part in the initial build-up to his side’s first try in the 6th minute, catching his own ‘garryowen’ before the move was continued into the Rock 22, first by Brian Hayes and then Ryan. Darragh Dunne then created the space for Ronan Barry, who ran in unopposed for a try converted by Joe Holland.
Minutes later Rockwell, with wind advantage, forced CBC into conceding a penalty with McEvoy confidently finding the range. Still CBC were playing very constructive rugby and were almost in for their second in the 14th minute when Brian Slater picked up a loose lineout ball, offloaded to Barry but the flanker knocked on with the try-line gaping.
The Tipperary college then won two penalties in quick succession, McEvoy landing the second, again from long range. Along with JJ Hanrahan the pair then proceeded to pepper the CBC 22 with their diagonal kicks, and constant pressure saw CBC eventually concede another penalty which McEvoy coolly converted.
However, CBC swept up field in a brilliant movement before half-time. Started by Slater, Graham Makessy latched onto a kind hop and after moving the ball first right and then left, Dunne and Ryan combined to put Holland in to give Christians a 12-9 lead.
However, just before the interval, CBC infringed again and McEvoy punished them to leave it 12-12 at half-time.
It may have taken until the 49th minute for CBC to get motoring but, in a blistering 15-minute spell, they put this game out of sight, scoring three converted tries.
For the first of this three-try assault, Hayes broke the gain-line, Kieran Stokes took an excellent supporting line before finding Barry who had an easy run-in.
Then, in the 59th minute, Clune took an excellent line off Ryan’s pass to dot down before Dunne dummied the defence before diving over. All three tries were converted by Dunne.
With the score at 33-12 most teams might have called it a day but, not Rockwell, whose never-say-die attitude saw Shane Buckley block a CBC clearance in the end-zone to dot down for a try that McEvoy converted.
Scorers for CBC: Tries – Barry (2), Holland Clune, Dunne. Cons – Dunne (3), Holland
Rockwell: Try – S Buckley. Pens – McEvoy (4) Con- McEvoy.
CBC: R Clune; E O’Donnell, B O’Leary, J Holland, G Mackessy; D Dunne, B Slater; C Corkery, K Stokes, D Attridge; B Hayes (capt), S Hanbridge; E Doyle, R Barry, W Ryan.
Replacements: C Quinn for Mackessy (47), S Barry for O’Leary (66), E O’Sullivan for Attridge and J Maloney for Slater (both 68), R Martin for Stokes, M O’Mahony for Corkery and Y Browne for Barry (all 71).
ROCKWELL: P McEvoy; K O’Dwyer, D Ryan, B Smith, W O’Connor; JJ Hanrahan, E Ahern; T Doyle, L O’Donnell, B Cullinane; S Buckley, S O’Flynn; S Maguire, J Nolan, P Butler.
Replacements: Cian O’Donnell for L O’Donnell (37), C O’Donnell for Doyle, L Horgan for O’Flynn (inj, 51), J Lonergan for Nolan (68), T Rafferty for Aherne, R Mullane for O’Dwyer, B O’Rahelly for O’Connor (all 71).
Referee: P Fitzgibbon (MAR)
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
