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Liam Coombes celebrates scoring a try for CBC. Lorraine O'Sullivan/INPHO
glory in sight

CBC closer to ending Munster Senior Cup drought after surviving dramatic finale

A late try from Pres winger Seán French made it a nervy final 10 minutes for Christians.

CBC 13 PBC 12

CORK’S CHRISTIAN BROTHERS College are one game away from a first Munster Schools Senior Cup title since 2009 after they held out in a thrilling Cork derby at Musgrave Park on today.

When Seán French, winger for Presentation Brothers College, touched down with 13 minutes left, it set up a pulsating finish to the game as Pres — last winners in 2010 — sought a game-winning score.

They looked to have given themselves a great chance when front-rowers Michael Shinkwin and Sam Deane helped to transport the ball deep into Christians territory but a heroic saving tackle from Daire Feeney ensured his side stayed in front.

Pres had begun well, advancing the ball with purpose, and the opening try came when number eight Jack T O’Sullivan blocked a clearing kick and chased on to touch down, though Peter Sylvester couldn’t convert from a difficult position.

However, Christians responded well, out-half James Taylor with a good penalty before a lovely move gave them their first try.

Pressure from Pres close to their own try-line was relieved as centre Alex McHenry made a great break and then Ross O’Neill carried on that good work up the right wing before laying off to fullback Coombes to score.

It was a great day for CBC fans. Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO

Taylor added the extras and he extended the lead to eight points with a penalty early in the second half. French’s try, set up by a lovely long pass from full-back Jonathan Wren, helped to reignite Pres’s hopes, but it was Christians’ day.

In the final, scheduled for 13 March, they will play Castletroy College or Crescent College Comprehensive, who meet in the other semi-final in Thomond Park tomorrow.

Scorers for CBC: James Taylor 2 pens, con; Liam Coombes try.

Scorers for PBC: Jack T O’Sullivan, Seán French try each, Peter Sylvester con.

CBC: Liam Coombes; Barry Galvin, Joe Harrington, Alex McHenry, Ian Casey; James Taylor, Richard Cassidy (Colin Sisk 57); Peter Kelleher, Gordon Good (Shane Bushe 41), Conor Leahy (Ciarán McHugh 68); Richard Thompson, Seán Duffy (Fergus Hennessy 41); Ross O’Neill, Robert Hyde (Declan Barry 57), Daire Feeney.

PBC: Jonathan Wren; Paul Buckley (Tom Fitzgerald 58), Luke O’Connor, Jack O’Shea, Seán French; Peter Sylvester, Harry Shanahan; Bryan O’Connor, Michael Shinkwin, Sam Deane; Conor O’Flynn (Paul Crowley 67), Brian O’Mahony; Cian Fitzgerald (Jack E O’Sullivan 52), David Hyland, Jack T O’Sullivan.

Referee: Mark Connolly (MAR).

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