CBC cut loose in second half to seal victory

SCHOOLS RUGBY/ MUNSTER SENIOR CUP FINAL CBC 33 Rockwell College 19: ONE HUNDRED years after lifting the inaugural trophy, Christian Brothers College, Cork, brought neat symmetry to the record books by producing a near flawless display in yesterday's final at Musgrave Park.

They posted five tries in a display built on the pack’s power, and the skill in the backline where Brian Slater and Darragh Dunne excelled.

Rockwell were level at the break but on the resumption, and especially in the final 20 minutes, CBC turned on the style to score 21 unanswered points.

Led brilliantly by Willie Ryan from number eight, there wasn’t a weak link in the front eight with Brian Hayes, Ronan Barry and Kieran Stokes having a finals to remember. The backs were directed superbly by scrumhalf Brian Slater while outhalf Darragh Dunne excelled out-of-hand and from the boot while Joe Holland and Robert Clune notched a try apiece. Rockwell had outstanding players in Paul McEvoy at fullback, who kicked 14 points, JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Butler, Shane Buckley and James Nolan.

Robert Clune played a huge part in the build up to his side’s first try, catching his own garryowen before the move was continued into the Rockwell 22. Darragh Dunne created the space for Barry to run in for a try that was converted by Holland. Minutes later Rockwell forced a penalty with McEvoy finding the range.

CBC flanker Barry knocked on with the try-line gaping on 14 minutes. Rockwell won two penalties in quick succession, McEvoy landing the second from long range. Constant pressure saw CBC concede another penalty that McEvoy coolly converted.

However, CBC swept up field before half-time for Holland to touch down in the corner to give Christians a 12-9 lead. But just before the interval, CBC infringed and McEvoy struck to leave it stand 12-all at half-time.

After 49 minutes, in a 15-minute spell, CBC sealed victory, scoring three converted tries. For the first, Hayes broke the gain-line, Kieran Stokes supported before finding Barry who had an easy run-in. In the 59th minute Clune dotted down before Dunne dived over. All three were converted by Dunne. Trailing 33-12, Rockwell’s Shane Buckley blocked a clearance in the end-zone and dotted down, McEvoy converted.

CBC: R Clune; E O'Donnell, B O'Leary, J Holland, G Mackesy; D Dunne, B Slater; C Corkery, K Stokes, D Attridge; B Hayes (capt), S Hanbridge; E Doyle, R Barry, W Ryan. Replacements: C Quinn for Mackessy (47 mins), S Barry for O'Leary (66 mins), E O'Sullivan for Attridge and J Maloney for Slater (both 68 mins), R Martin for Stokes, M O'Mahony for Corkery and Y Browne for Barry (all 71 mins).

ROCKWELL: P McEvoy; K O'Dwyer, D Ryan, B Smith, W O'Connor; JJ Hanrahan, E Ahern; T Doyle, L O'Donnell, B Cullinane; S Buckley, S O'Flynn; S Maguire, J Nolan, P Butler. Replacements: Cian O'Donnell for L O'Donnell (37 mins), C O'Donnell for Doyle, L Horgan for O'Flynn (inj, 51 mins), J Lonergan for Nolan (68 mins), T Rafferty for Aherne, R Mullane for O'Dwyer, B O'Rahelly for O'Connor (all 71 mins).

Referee: P Fitzgibbon(MAR).