'Their capacity for work is insane': Cork's PBC defeat famed Grey College to claim Global Schools Challenge glory

BLACK AND WHITE DELIGHT: Cork's PBC celebrate winning thee NextGen Global Schools Challenge Premier Rugby Series final in Salou on Thursday.

The NextGen Global Schools Challenge Premier Rugby Series came down to two schools on Thursday in Salou, south of Barcelona: Cork's Presentation Brothers College and Bloemfontein's Grey College. 

This Spanish excursion was seen by head coach Ger Burke as a chance for PBC — the only Irish representative — to learn and develop against the world's top schools and elite programmes, including three South African outfits. 

By the end of it, led by captain Rian McFarlane O'Shea, PBC had dispatched of world No.13 ranked Grey College — a school that has produced numerous Springboks — on a scoreline of 34-17 and were crowned champions. 

Burke had spoken earlier this week of "learning to survive" in the competition, but did the thought of actually winning the competition and lifting silverware ever enter their minds? 

It sure did. A pre-flight conversation on Irish soil predicted the final victory that came to fruition. 

"It's funny, we were in Dublin Airport last Friday and young Frankie Sheehan (vice-captain) said to me, 'Do you think that we can win it?' And I said, 'Honestly, I don't know, but I do for some strange reason'.  I said, 'We need a bit of luck. but, I do if things go our way'," Burke told the Irish Examiner. 

"They're just such a great group of lads in terms of talent. Their capacity for work is insane. If teams here are better than us, they can't be that much better than us.

"You know, there was an element of the unknown, which was part of the whole thing. We came for the experience and the exposure to test ourselves against something different and what seemed to be the best in the world. 

"Winning wasn't the objective, but by God, it was a fantastic way to finish it."

Munster Schools Senior Cup

The Salou celebrations will continue until they fly home on Friday, but like every other year, Burke and PBC's focus will turn to the Munster Schools Senior Cup almost immediately.

The competition giants will be looking to wrestle back control the title from Cork rivals Christian Brothers College, having fell at the final hurdle last term. 

With both schools perched on 32 titles each, the 2026 version of the Senior Cup is sure to provide the usual fireworks. 

Beating schools like Grey College in such impressive fashion will likely mean PBC start as favourites. 

Bandon Grammar are their opening opposition and while Burke acknowledges the hype that will surround his side, neither he nor his players will be reading too much into the favourites' tag. 

"What awaits us at home is huge. There's no shying away from it, there's going to be a bit of pressure with external noise. We've had an incredible week here," Burke said. 

The winning PBC squad.

"An incredible experience. In many ways, it's separate and irrelevant to the cup. But of course, there's going to be a follow-on from it.

"But that's OK. The Munster Senior Cup is the most beautiful competition, we adore it.

"It's why we do what we do. It's why we train as hard as we do. When it comes to January, it'll be all focus on that.

"We can't help if people say that we're favourites or not. I've been part of many teams that were told we had no hope in September and I've been part of many teams that were told we were guaranteed to win it. 

"Very few times are those predictions correct. We know what awaits us is huge."