Relief for CBC skipper O'Shea at finally getting over the line

Christians fought back to deny their cross-town rivals PBC a three-in-a-row win on Thursday. 

CBC Captain Charlie O'Shea holds the Garrett Fitzgerald Cup aloft after he received it from his mother Hilary after the Pinergy Boys Schools U19 Munster Senior Cup final at Virgin Media Park, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

For CBC captain Charlie O’Shea, the overwhelming feeling was relief after winning the Munster Schools Senior Cup at the third attempt.

O’Shea, his half-back partner Christopher Barrett, Alex O’Connell, and winning try-scorer Leo O’Leary had gone through three consecutive final defeats against PBC to get here: the 2022 Junior Cup followed by the ‘23 and ‘24 Senior Cups.

“I don’t know what I’d do if I’d lost again – I’d probably have to hang up the boots,” joked O’Shea.

“It’s amazing. It’s been a few years for Christians since 2019, the last time we properly won, so it’s been too long, especially for a school of the magnitude of Christians.

“There’s a good few of us have played the last two years and we’ve lost both of them. It’s been so disappointing to come out the wrong side of it. We know how it feels. But we’ve put in such hard work this year and it’s great to see it all pay off.” The game turned on Darragh Prenter’s try-saving intervention to stop Pres from scoring a 49th-minute clincher.

“That’s the way sport is, sometimes it can change in an instant,” said O’Shea. “That could easily have been 17-0 down. You’d think that could be a step too far for us.

“We rallied from the supporters. Everyone in the stand felt the momentum shift. We were just all over them then.

“Fair dues to Pres because they had us under the cosh for about 50 minutes. It wasn’t the perfect win by any means but I’m so happy we won.

“It’s great to go back level with 32 trophies. We’ve a good squad, a lot of young fellas, and a brilliant coaching ticket so I’ve no doubt they’ll be back next year for that double.” 

Head coach Dave Lee hailed the work of strength and conditioning coach Stephen Casey, defensive coach Duncan Williams, and the players’ total commitment for the 17-point turnaround.

“Our defence was absolutely brilliant,” said Lee. “That maybe took a bit out of Pres when they weren’t getting much purchase. We soaked it up and went down and took our scores so I was absolutely thrilled.

“That was a very good read from Leo (for the winning try), and I’ve seen him do it before, but the key part to that is you stick to your system and you don’t force these things.

“Cian Corkery inside him at 12 was phenomenal defensively, tackling, ripping balls, and he really had key moments.” 

Both O’Shea and Lee had special messages to add. The captain wished the best of luck to Louis Carroll and his teammates for next Wednesday’s Junior Cup final against Bandon Grammar School. Head coach Lee gave a shout-out to Reuben Coughlan.

“Reuben was our line-out captain and then he did his knee in October and was out for the full season,” said Lee.

“Since he did that, he came to every single training session. When we went away to Alicante, he was there as a coach. He was there today helping out.

“I really feel for him because it’s his last chance at this but I just wanted to give a special mention to him. He epitomises what we’re looking for within our squad in Christians.”