Dominant display sees PBC advance to Munster Schools Senior Cup semi-final
Presentation Brothers claimed the first spot in the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup semi-finals with an impressive all-round display as they defeated Rockwell College in Musgrave Park.
It was a dominant second-half display which ensured a place in the last four for the 29-time champions.
However, for large parts of this lunchtime kickoff, the tie seemed to be in the balance.
Two early penalties from John O’Sullivan gave Rockwell the ideal start as they looked to continue from where they left off after a convincing round 1 win over St Munchin’s.
However, the Cork men responded brilliantly scoring three tries in the next 20 minutes.
Louis Bruce’s grubber kick caught the Rockwell defence out of position and it was touched down by Joe O’Leary for the first of five tries for the winners. Bruce added the extras from under the posts to give Pres the lead for the first time.
Eoin Quilter added their second try after a number of phases close to the line. This just minutes after O’Sullivan’s third penalty, gave PBC a 14-9 lead approaching the interval.
Despite it being a pretty even contest in the first 35 minutes, the Cork side brought a healthy lead into the dressing room after hooker Darragh Murphy touched down after an impressive rolling maul had Rockwell on the back foot.
Presentation Brothers continued where they left off getting their fourth try of the game seven minutes after the restart. Number 8 Alex Kendellan finished off as the 2017 champions were seizing control of this last eight clash. The back row forward added another late on as this quickly turned into a one-sided contest.
The Co Tipperary side offered little in attack in the second half as this clash fizzled out as both teams introduced a number of replacements in the final quarter.
The result means Rockwell have failed to make the semi-final every year since their last Senior Cup triumph in 2015.
For 2017 champions PBC, they are just 70 minutes away from another final spot.
M McLoughlin, D Squires, P Cunningham, S Squires, D French, L Bruce, J O’Leary; R Duggan, D Murphy, D McSweeney, D McCarthy, E Quilter, J Kelleher, J Forde, A Kendellen.
M Fitzgibbon, J O’Shaughnessy, A Walsh, M Hand, D O’Halloran, B Comiskey, C O’Connor, B Anthony.
C Mullane, J Hunt, S Tarleton, A Flannery, S Cotter, E Daly, J O’Sullivan; T Dowling, J O’Meara, K Lane, R Browne, K Grogan, J Dwan, H Tobin, S Grogan
B Flavin, D Murphy, D Farrelly, R Anglim, J O’Dwyer, L Fogarty, D Foley,
Richard Horgan
