How Spain trip helped shape Pres for Senior Cup push

Despite PBC beating St Munchin's 64-0 in the Munster Schools Senior Cup final, there is no complacency in the Cork side according to head coach Ger Burke

PBC will face St Munchin's in the Munster Schools Senior Cup on Wednesday. The game will be streamed live for Irish Examiner subscribers. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

They captured global silverware in December. Now, PBC must take care of domestic business as they aim to go clear atop the Munster Schools Senior Cup roll of honour.

The Mardyke institution defeated the famed Grey High School, which has produced Springbok greats like Siya Kolisi, to win the NextGen Global Schools Challenge. On Wednesday, it’s St Munchin’s who stand between them and a 33rd provincial crown.

The experience of that international tournament in Spain has been fundamental to Pres’s evolution this year.

“We were a little light on fixtures before Christmas. Unfortunately, a couple of them fell through,” recalls head coach Ger Burke.

“We didn't play the Munster Clubs this year. We were getting a little nervous of our prep.”

The invite from organiser Tom Pullen arrived on a Monday morning. Three weeks later, they were all set for sunny Salou.

“The invite meant it was sponsored. Once we covered the cost of the flights, we could go. We said it to one or two players, would they be interested? It was like Christmas came early,” says Burke with a chuckle.

“Honestly, you should see the joy on their faces with this prospect. Then, it was backs against the wall. We organised the entire thing within three weeks, which was incredibly stressful. Getting exams sorted, gear sorted.” 

Another tough aspect for Burke was only being able to bring 30 of their 54 senior players.

“We said that how the lads not picked handled that would have a huge bearing on our season.

“JP Curtin did a fantastic job with the lads left here. They actually played a game and everything while we were away. That gave us such a lift to know that things were still progressing here.

“It turned out to be an incredibly special week. A week completely separate to the Senior Cup, but a week all of us that were there will cherish forever.

“It was just brilliant to be in such competition, to test ourselves against opposition like Grey College, Grey High, Oakdale, and to test ourselves on how we could recover in short periods of time.

“It was just perfect prep for Cup, to be honest.” 

Their Senior Cup form has been almost faultless, culminating with a 54-0 semi-final victory over rivals CBC.

“Fifty-four against Christians brought a lot of maybe unwarranted attention to us. It's gathered some momentum, alright, and it's gathered notice around the country,” says Burke.

“At the end of the day, all that mattered was that we were training this week and getting ready for the big day that is the 18th.” 

Burke highlights the development made by players both as “leaders of the school community” and on the field.

In the latter regard, Eddie Dooley is in the process of converting from a winger, who featured on the flank for Munster Schools last August, to a hooker. He has scored tries against Bandon Grammar and Christians from his current back-row berth.

“His throwing is coming on well, scummaging is the next feat for him,” says Burke. “We've moved him into the forwards and he's just been a revelation. He's been a warrior from the first game and he's gone from strength to strength. It's kind of feeling a bit foolish for picking him on the wing for so long.

“You could pick out any of them. They're the hardest-working group I've come across. They're so coachable and they've been a joy this year.” 

Their incumbent hooker, Ronan Twomey, has scored four tries in two games, but is ruled out of the final.

“The poor lad, he tried everything, short of trying black magic to see if there was any way. But he has a fracture in his collarbone, so he's out,” says Burke.

“A couple of other little niggles, guys mightn’t be able for 70, but we're hoping that we should be able to pick pretty close to full strength outside of Ronan.” 

Pres dispatched Munchin’s 64-0 in the group-stage opener back in October, but Burke won’t allow for any complacency against his alma mater.

“Huge credit to Munchin’s, I'd imagine there was a line drawn in the sand for them back in October.

“They started poorly. Probably a few people laughing at them in the background, but what a turnaround of a season.

“They're in the final and they deserve to be. Playing some great rugby. They wouldn't have been the favourites against Crescent. Certainly not in a replay. Won the game, deservedly so, and they were excellent against Bandon. There's no complacency because the evidence is there that they're a dangerous side.

“I spent a lot of time in Munchin’s. I know how the underdog tag suits them. Don Buckley, involved with us here, has lost a couple of Senior Cup finals to Munchin’s. There's no complacency on our end, I can assure you of that.”

* The Munster Schools Senior Cup final between PBC and St Munchin's will be streamed live for Irish Examiner subscribers on Wednesday, March 18