Ben O'Connor inspires PBC to dramatic comeback win over Christians

Presentation Brothers College players celebrate Fionn Roussel’s try. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

PBC Cork 21 CBC Cork 19

Presentation Brothers booked their place in the Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup final thanks to a stunning fightback to see off their city rivals Christian Brothers at Musgrave Park on Thursday.

PBC came from 17-7 down with two tries in the last 10 minutes with a conversion of his own try from full-back Ben O’Connor seeing them home in an extremely tense contest that ebbed and flowed throughout.

Pres had opened the scoring through a Finn Roussel try on 28 minutes, converted by O’Connor but then conceded a try either side of half-time as Christians gained the upper hand, Jack Casey’s try converted by Daire Burke tying the scores 7-7 at half-time before CBC full-back Ben Lynch edged the Sidney Hill school in front on 45 minutes thanks to Burke’s excellent crossfield kick to the corner.

Presentation Brothers College's Fionn Roussel scores a try despite Sam Loftus of Christian Brothers College. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Burke grabbed a try himself which converted to give Christians a 10-point lead going into the final 10 minutes but were unable to hold firm, Pres rallying when it counted with tries from wing Sean Condon and then O’Connor’s try and a laser-like conversion securing a place in the 2022 decider against the winner of the Crescent vs Bandon Grammar semi-final, which had been postponed due to an unplayable pitch at Tom Clifford Park In Limerick.

Ben O'Connor converts the first try for Presentation Brothers College. Picture: Larry Cummins

CBC CORK: B Lynch; B O’Riordan, M O’Callaghan, E Cahill Murphy (F Whooley, 40), S Maloney (C Kilbride, 28), D Burke, J Casey; S Loftus, G Rasmussen (A O’Leary, 14-21), H Foster; D Novak, K Novak; T Land, A Rona, J Coleman.

PBC CORK: B O’Connor; A Twomey (Z Dinan, 28), S Sexton, R O’Shaughnessy, S Condon; H Coughlan (G O’Leary Kareem, 35), M Murphy; F Cowhig, D Sheahan, S Ventura Patricio; L Herdman (D Healy, 57), A Keane; F Roussel, I Dennehy, J Sheahan.

Referee: George Clancy.