'A special moment': PBC captain MacFarlane O'Shea basking in Senior Cup glory

PBC have moved one clear of rivals CBC on the honour roll and have done so in immaculate style.

Rachel O’Shea presents the cup to her son, captain Rían MacFarlane O'Shea of Presentation Brothers College. Pic: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

Captain Rían MacFarlane O'Shea described delivering Munster Schools Senior Cup No.33 for PBC as a special moment, but in truth, it's been a special season overall. 

They've moved one clear of rivals CBC on the honour roll and have done so in immaculate style. Unbeaten throughout the campaign, Ger Burke's outfit racked up some huge tallies while playing their fair share of swashbuckling rugby along the way. 

Their 51-3 rout of Limerick's St Munchin's capped a campaign that will be tough to top over the next few editions of the competition and beyond.

"A special moment, it was my first cup win. I'm absolutely delighted," MacFarlane O'Shea said. "You know, the buzz around the school, the buzz around the lads.

"I'm just so happy that we got to do it with this group of lads. It was so special, I'm delighted. This group are such hard workers, we never got complacent at any stage. 

"So proud of the work we've put in. It's been such a journey. Yeah, it's been incredible."

In addition to lifting the Garrett Fitzgerald Cup in Virgin Media Park on Wednesday, MacFarlane O'Shea also led his side to victory in the NextGen Global Schools Challenge Premier Rugby Series in Salou just before Christmas. 

Success on the world stage against the likes of Bloemfontein's Grey College set lofty expectations for the school, but their focus never wavered, not once.

"I suppose it just let us know what we're capable of," McFarlane O'Shea said.

"I mean, we still had to bring it. There was no doubt about that. We know we couldn't get complacent, but it showed what we're capable of as a group, what we could achieve if we all just worked hard and worked together."

Rian MacFarlane O'Shea of Presentation Brothers College lifts the cup with his teammates. Pic: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

The skipper was also keen to credit the work done by Burke and his coaching staff.

"They were incredible. The sacrifices they give to us, all they do for us, it's incredible. They give so much, and it's incredible to share the experience with them as well."

For St Munchin's, Wednesday turned out to be an extremely tough day at the office, like it had for so many in the competition against PBC. 

Despite their positive opening stanza, PBC proved too slick and head coach Andrew O'Byrne was quick to acknowledge the winners' quality.

"It was a very tough one. Look, we knew that could be the case coming into the game," O'Byrne said.

"[PBC] are a class side. We're slightly disappointed we didn't give a better account of ourselves on the day, but sport doesn't do fairytale endings... I'm just extremely proud of the group to get to a final.

"A Senior Cup final is no poor achievement. So, congratulations to Pres and their coaches. They're an excellent group and fully deserve it."

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