Christians to stand firm

CRESCENT COMPREHENSIVE bid to turn the clock back almost two decades when they contest today’s Avonmore Munster Schools Junior Cup final at Musgrave Park.

But their bid to win the trophy for the first time since 1991 will be a tough one, as Christian Brothers College, Cork are firm favourites to win their first title since 2006.

The Cork school have impressed with clear-cut victories in the earlier rounds, leading to a semi-final when their mettle was severely tested by Ard Scoil Rís.

Christians proved too strong for Glenstal Abbey in the opening round although the 22-10 scoreline did not do justice to the losers, CBC only making their advancement safe with an injury-time converted try.

It was easier in the quarter-final when they proved too strong for PBC, winning 31-10 before having to struggle to beat Ard Scoil 12-8.

Crescent opened their campaign with a 15-10 victory over PBC, who then moved on through the back-door system. In the quarter-final, Crescent beat Rockwell 7-0 and then accounted for Glenstal in a hard-fought semi-final, 20-13.

With a solid pack and a back division that has built a reputation on mean defence, Crescent believe they can make a right game of it, even allowing for having to travel to Cork.

Yet Christians have shown scant regard for their previous opponents, through the strength of the pack and the scoring power of wingers Chris McAuliffe and Adam McCarthy allied to sublime support from scrum-half Ryan Foley which suggests they will hold firm in this eagerly-awaited encounter.

CBC (probable team): C. Monaghan, A. McCarthy, A. Finn, J. Whooley, C. McAuliffe, S. Quill, R. Foley, J. Corbett, C. Slowey, R. Burke, D. O’Brien, D. Moloney, T. Arrigan, R. O’Sullivan, P. Leahy.

CRESCENT (probable team): J. O’shea, J. Frawley, C. Dullinane, G. Barry, M. Mulvihill, G. Lyons, S. McGee, J. Green, S. Gleeson, F. Kingston, C. Blake, E. Casserly, J. Sheehan, D. Dee, G. Dinneen.