Family ties make Senior Cup win all the more special for O'Leary Kareem

The feeling inside that accompanied winning back-to-back titles alongside family is something O'Leary Kareem won't be forgetting anytime soon.

Tue, 12 Mar, 2024 - 18:15

Shane Donovan

There was no shortage of burgeoning talent on show in the all-Cork Munster Senior Schools Cup final at Virgin Media Park on Tuesday afternoon.

Senior Cup rugby has often given onlookers a first real glimpse of what's to come from those enrolled in schools like PBC and CBC.

Perhaps the brightest light amongst his talented peers and opponents alike is PBC captain Gene O'Leary Kareem.

A try-scoring, try-assisting, conversion-landing display from O'Leary Kareem was a major factor in PBC's victory over their cross-city rivals.

Another factor was the impact the wider O'Leary family had on the game. Gene's cousins Neville and James had big interventions throughout, as they have all done all campaign.

The feeling that accompanied winning back-to-back titles alongside family is something O'Leary Kareem won't be forgetting anytime soon.

"It's crazy like," O'Leary Kareem began. "I have a picture of myself and Neville [O'Leary] from first year [in PBC] when we said we'd do it in sixth year.

"Now, playing with his younger brother James [O'Leary], there's no better way to do it.

"Winning it with your family is the best way to do it."

The trophy seemed all guaranteed to be going back to Wilton when PBC moved 33-14 ahead midway through the second half, but CBC weren't going to go lightly. Not on a stage like this.

Tries from Michael Foy, Ronan O’Keeffe, and a 70th-minute Alex O’Connell effort left the scoreline reading 33-31, with the conversion to come.

It wasn't to be for CBC out-half Charlie O'Shea - who was integral throughout - as his attempt to draw proceedings from the touchline tailed wide.

"You can't really explain it like, it was absolutely hectic," said O'Leary Kareem on that tense finish. "That last kick, it was the longest moment of my life, but it could have went either way as you can see.

"Second-half, it was predominantly Christians, and just so glad to get the double and saw it out."

The fact that this bout between Cork's finest rugby powers went down to the literal wire is not lost on the bustling centre.

For O'Leary Kareem, coming out the right side of a titanic tussle made it all the sweeter.

"There's no better feeling. When you have to work for something as much as we did there, it makes you feel so much better.

"Hats off to Christians as well, it couldn't have been closer."