Christians open Munster Senior Cup with six-try win over Bandon Grammar School

Bandon have now lost two of their three games in Group B.

SIX OF THE BEST: Darragh Prenter, Christian Brothers College, Cork touching down for a try. Picture Dan Linehan

Christian Brothers College 36 Bandon Grammar School 10

Christian Brothers College have made a dream start to the Pinergy Boys Schools U19 Munster Senior Cup as they secured a bonus point victory over Bandon Grammar School on Wednesday afternoon.

This was Christians opening game of the campaign while Bandon had already beaten Ardscoil Ris and lost to Crescent College Comprehensive last week in Group B.

Bandon’s need for a positive result was arguably greatest of the two Cork Schools but it was Christians who emerged victorious as an impressive tally of six-tries ensured they secured a significant 26-point triumph.

The beaten finalist for the last two seasons – they lost to their ach-rivals Presentation Brothers College on both occasions- started brightly as they looked to make a statement of intent in their first outing of the new campaign.

It didn’t take them long to get their reward for their dominance in the early stages as their number 15 Conall Cournane touched down behind the line with Charlie O’Shea duly adding the conversion.

Bandon produced a brilliant response though as they edged in front by the 15th minute thanks to a penalty and a converted try.

Darragh Prenter, Christian Brothers College, Cork touching down for a try against Bandon Grammar despite the attention of Matthew Hunter and Maximillian Tubb. Picture Dan Linehan

But little did they know at the time by those would be their last scores of the afternoon as Christians regained control of proceedings and wouldn’t relinquish it again.

They held a commanding lead by half time thanks to tries from Daire O’Callaghan, Darragh Prenter and Zach Seymour, two of which were converted by Charlie O’Shea to make it 26-10 at the break.

The second period was less enthralling, but CBC won’t care about that as further tries from Seán Fitzpatrick and Alex O’Connell ensured they started the competition on a positive note, piling the pressure on Bandon in the process.

Elsewhere in Group A and Castletroy College made it two wins out of two as they defeated Glenstal Abbey, who were taking part in their first outing of the campaign, 43-19.

Christian Brothers Cork: C Cournane, A O’Connell, D O’Callaghan, L O’Leary, B McCarthy, C O’Shea, C Barrett; C Wallace, D Prenter, S Fitzpatrick, R Coughlan, D Mac Coitir, M Trant, J O'Callaghan, C Galvin.

Replacements: R O'Callaghan, P O'Rourke, K Manley, M Manning, S Lavin, Z Seymor, C Mulvihill, N Galvin, C Taylor, C Kilbride.

Bandon Grammar School: S Barry, J McDonagh, C Harte, N Miskella, A Hurley, C Smyth, S O’Donovan; G Hollinshead, Z Piper, S O'Callaghan, J Symington, J Kochsiek, A Hunter, M Tubb, C Mueller.

Replacements: J van der Velde, R Collins, F McCarthy, B Giles, C Healy, M O’Regan, S Fuller, D Fuller, I Smith, C Creswell.