Pres complete double-double with Munster Schools Junior Cup final victory over Christians

PBC are the first school to go back-to-back in both Munster Schools Junior and Senior Cups since 1966.

PBC Captain Tom Murray celebrates with the trophy after their victory over CBC in the Munster Schools Boys Junior Cup final at Virgin Media Park, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Munster Schools Junior Cup final: PBC 19 CBC 14 

PBC have completed the ‘double-double’ of Munster Schools Junior and Senior Cup titles as their under-16 side consigned cross-city rivals CBC to another final defeat.

A week after their Senior Cup classic, tries from David Nolan, Eddie Dooley, and Daniel Murphy ensured the Mardyke school became the first school to go back-to-back in both flagship competitions since 1966.

They are also the first to accomplish a hat-trick of Junior titles since the 1980s and their record tally of Junior Cups (32) now matches their Senior Cup haul. Indeed, this is their 11th Senior and Junior Cup double among that lot.

Vice-captain Murphy took his points haul to 37 in three games, including a try in each along the way, while impressive captain Tom Murray lifted the cup to the delight of their fans.

CBC have made a name for late scores in their comeback victories and they were as good as advertised here, with tries from Sam Healy and Harry McCarthy.

After returning to the 22, a late overthrown line-out and knock-on meant there would be no grandstand finish.

The customary signs of final nerves were evident with five knock-ons in the opening three minutes. The last of the quintet proved costly as Pres applied the seven-point punishment.

As Christians spilled the ball when going wide from a scrum, fly-half Nolan was first to react and he was able to stroll under the posts to make Murphy’s conversion all the easier.

In sunny conditions, Christians had some difficulties gaining territory into a stiff wind but still had their chances. They were blocked off, though, by Harry Galvin Carty’s scrambling defence and Conor McLoughlin’s line-out steal. The imposing second row would fiercely contest the set piece all day.

Pres sought out the tramlines as they built their phases. Wingers Dooley and Jack Ryan made progress but Donal O’Connor worked from flank to flank to make two crucial tackles.

PBC outhalf David Nolan going over the goal line for his side's first try against CBC during their Munster Schools Junior Cup final at Virgin Media Park, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

When they went back through the hands to the left, Dooley, back to fitness for the final, exploited the overlap. Murphy, who had supplied the assist, missed with the conversion.

Donal Barry drew a late penalty for Christians and with the second-half wind advantage in mind, they opted for the posts. However, Eamon O’Sullivan fired wide to the right.

A crucial tackle from Darren O’Connell after Galvin Carty’s line break ensued the deficit remained at 12-0 at half-time.

Pres extended their lead to 19 with a stunning try within four minutes of the restart. From a line-out on their own 10m line, Ryan’s hand-off and offload released Murphy to race 60 metres for the try and tap-over conversion.

Christians were counting their errors but they began to tidy up their execution, if only in spells. From a tap-and-go penalty, they pounded through the phases before Healy punched over. O’Connor added the extras.

As Pres clocked up 10 penalties conceded, Bobby Waters was sent to the sin bin. A couple more knock-ons, however, allowed the team of 14 off the hook.

The pattern of penalties would continue (the final count came to 13-4) and when Pres infringed close to their own line, another tap-and-go sequence would pay off. This time, it was McCarthy who battled over and O’Connor’s conversion cut the deficit to five.

That was as close as they would get.

Scorers: PBC: Tries: D Nolan, E Dooley, D Murphy; Cons: D Murphy 2. CBC: Tries: S Healy, H McCarthy; Cons: D O’Connor 2.

PBC: D Murphy; J Ryan, A Moloney, H Galvin Carty (G Coughlan 55), E Dooley; D Nolan, L O’Brien; D O’Mahony (N MacCarthy 30), R Twomey, R Cahill; C McLoughlin, R MacFarlane O’Shea; B O’Connell (R Dillon 57), B Waters, T Murray (capt).

Replacements not used: T Laverty, B St Leger, D Leane, J Healy, T Kelly, O Naughton, R Sheehan.

Sin-bin: B Waters (46-53).

CBC: D O’Connor; R Cullinane (Darren O’Connell 22-55), T Nixon, J Martin (capt), E O’Sullivan (A O’Shea 37); D Barry (C Walsh 46), Dave O’Connell; S Fitzpatrick (C Newcombe 59), A Coakley (D Lynch 30), M Murray (A Carroll 39); J Neville (C Haugh 50), H McCarthy; S Healy, R O’Farrell (J Dineen 30) (R Coady 50), M Quill (J Dineen 57).

Replacement not used: J Long.

Referee: P Sheehan (MAR).