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James Taylor: 2016 final hero kicked another 10 points on Wednesday (file photo). Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Schools Rugby

Munster Senior Cup favourites Christians trump old rivals Crescent again

Defending champions ran out 30-5 winners in a repeat of last year’s final.

CBC Cork 30-5 Crescent College Comprehensive

THE CHRISTIANS PAIN continues for Crescent College as they suffered their third consecutive defeat to the Cork outfit this afternoon in the first round of the Munster Schools Senior Cup.

Having lost last year’s final by a single point, the Limerick outfit sought revenge. However three tries, as well as 10 points from the boot of James Taylor, saw last year’s champions comfortably into the quarters.

It took 12 minutes for Taylor to slot the game’s first points after an infringement in the scrum, and the Cork side hit for the game’s opening try when Sean Duffy touched down from close range just before the break, Taylor this time missing the mark.

Both sides are expected to make the quarter-final stage regardless of this afternoon’s result, but relentless Christians stole a Crescent lineout just four minutes into the second period, and as Colin Sisk quickly found Finn Burke, he broke through a flimsy visiting defence to finish under the posts.

Then, in a flash, Christians’ 15 points became 22 with the Limerick outfit unable to contain this year’s favourites. This time Duffy turned provider, drawing the tackle before offloading to Anthony Ryan to cross in the corner. Taylor extended the punishment with a fine conversion before adding his second penalty minutes later.

There was eventually something for the visiting supporters to cheer as Ronan Gallery touched down following a rumbling Crescent maul 10 minutes from time. However, with time up, Scott Buckley crossed for Christians’ fourth try.

The defeat means Crescent now nervously wait to see if they have a bye into the quarters in tomorrow’s draw or have to face a fellow first-round loser in a playoff, while for Christians, this strong performance only reinforces their favourites tag.

Scorers for CBC: Tries: Sean Duffy, Finn Burke, Anthony Ryan, Scott Buckley. Pens: James Taylor (2). Conversions: James Taylor (2)

Scorers for Crescent College: Try: Ronan Gallery.

CBC Cork

15. Eoin Monahan
14. Eoghan Barrett
13. Robert Hedderman
12. Joe Harrington
11. JD O’Hea
10. James Taylor
9. Colin Sisk

1. Luke Masters
2. Daniel O’Connor
3. Robert Loftus
4. Anthony Ryan
5. Richard Thompson
6. Darragh McGinn
7. Finn Burke
8. Sean Duffy

Replacements:

16. David Good
17. Jacob Buckley
18. Charlie Rasmussen
19. Ben Roche
20. Scott Buckley
21. Jack O’Riordan
22. Peter O’Keeffe
23. Tommy Downes
24. Matthew Bowen
25. Mark Morton

Crescent College

15. Timothy Duggan
14. Mark Shanahan
13. Tommy O’Hara
12. Brian Fitzgerald
11. Aaron Cosgrave
10. Michael Fenton
9. Mark Edwards

1. Conor Fitzgerald
2. Eoin O’Halloran
3. Tomas Connelly
4. Cian McDonagh
5. Scott Leahy
6. Joe Gannon
7. Karl Moloney
8. John Blake

Replacements:

16. Ronan Gallery
17. Jack Henchy
18. Brian Naughton
19. Sheehan Faloon
20. Jack Madden
21. Jamin Hoffmann
22. Michael Bateman
23. Charlie Dinneen
24. Pearse McMullen

Referee: Kieran Barry (MAR)

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