CBC prove too strong for battling Glenstal

CBC Cork 18 Glenstal Abbey 12: CBC WERE made to battle all the way by tenacious Glenstal Abbey before claiming their anticipated victory in the Munster Schools' Senior Cup semi-final at windswept Clanwilliam Park yesterday.

Christians' reward is a St Patrick's Day decider against first-time finalists Castletroy College at a Limerick venue to be named.

The Cork side deserved their victory. Their stronger forwards won plenty of possession, but dogged defending by a gutsy Glenstal ensured the outcome hung in the balance right to the end of a second half that stretched to 43 minutes.

Christians won the toss and decided to play into the howling wind from the start. Glenstal didn't take long to get the scoreboard ticking along, outhalf Michael O'Flynn kicking a couple of early penalties for a 6-0 lead in as many minutes.

But the Co Limerick school were rocked by the concession of a 10th-minute try, which was a huge tonic to Christians.

The move began with a fine kick by fullback Odhran Mulrooney that forced Glenstal to concede a lineout in their own half.

James Mulcahy duly secured possession for the back-row duo Willy Ryan and skipper Brian O'Callaghan to bring play into the 22. Halfbacks Daryl Foley and Patrick Parfrey continued the move before passing to centre Billy O'Regan, who in turn sent O'Callaghan muscling his way over the line.

Glenstal hit back with a third O'Flynn penalty, but a 9-5 interval advantage hardly looked sufficient given the strength of the wind.

Sure enough, Christians jumped in front for the first time within nine minutes of the resumption. Mulrooney stroked over a penalty before Parfrey dropped a goal after sustained pressure.

Now 11-9 in front, Christians went for the jugular and a second try, 10 minutes from the end of regulation time, seemed to clinch matters.

Mulrooney touched down in the right corner after Foley cleverly changed direction, sending Parfrey away on the narrow side before he parted to the onrushing fullback to score.

Mulrooney converted for 18-9.

Lesser sides would have crumbled, but not this Glenstal group, and a fourth O'Flynn penalty after 65 minutes set up a frantic finish.

Christians were forced on the back foot as Glenstal threw everything at them, but a solid defence stood defiant to weather the late storm and offer the opportunity of making up for last year's final loss.

Glenstal lost the game but won respect and admiration.

Scorers: CBC: Tries - B O'Callaghan, O Mulrooney; Con - Mulrooney; Pen - Mulrooney; Drop goal - P Parfrey. Glenstal Abbey: Pens - M O'Flynn (4)

CBC: O Mulrooney; D Loftus, J Holland, B O'Regan, B O'Leary; P Parfrey, D Foley; C Corkery, K Stokes, J Bransfield; J Mulcahy, K O'Dwyer; J Crowley, B O'Callaghan (capt), W Ryan. Replacements: B Hayes for Crowley (injured 60 mins)

GLENSTAL ABBEY: B Bradley; R Fullan, F Kearney, C Hughes (capt), D Costello; M O'Flynn, J Hunt; D Casey, JJ Clark, P Lynch; D Heffernan, C O'Connor; E Grennan, T Lambton, B Costigan. Replacements: R Madden for O'Connor (injured 15 mins), P Mullin for Lynch (37 mins), R Ferrara for Kearney (injured 53 mins), S Holt for Hunt (65 mins).

Referee: L Colgan (Munster)