McHenry could give CBC Cork the edge over Crescent

Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup Final: CBC Cork v Crescent Comprehensive, Musgrave Park, Sunday, 2pm

CBC Cork will attempt to move clear at the top of the Munster Schools Senior Cup roll-of-honour by winning a 29th title when they face 11-times champions Crescent College Comprehensive in Cork on Sunday, kick-off, 2pm.

Christians bagged their last cup against Rockwell College in the 2009 decider while Crescent were triumphant in both 2012 and 2013. And to add further intrigue the pair also meet in the Junior final in Cork on Wednesday.

It’s a repeat of the first-round tie at Thomond Park, where exciting Christians centre, Alex McHenry, son of former European Tour golfer, John, scored a couple of late tries in a 17-5 triumph.

They followed that up by again winning in Limerick, this time scoring four tries in a come-from-behind 28-15 victory over Ardscoil Ris before surviving the usual fierce challenge from neighbours PBC in the semi-final. A try from fullback Liam Coombes was the critical score in a narrow 13-12 success.

Crescent made good use of their second chance by knocking out the holders Rockwell 17-5 in the quarter-finals. And a powerful second-half showing, scoring 33 unanswered points, including five tries, turned around a 0-12 half-time deficit against Castletroy College.

The teams are captained by the respective number eights, Daire Feeney for Christians and Bailey Faloon for Crescent. Christians are the marginal favourites, but it's sure to be close.

The outcome could hinge on the midfield battle, where Crescent duo, Calvin Nash and Billy O'Hora, will want to nullify McHenry's obvious threat.

Paths to the final
CBC 17-5 Crescent CC
CBC 28-15 Ardscoil Ris
CBC 13-12 PBC

Crescent CC 5-17 CBC
Crescent CC 17-5 Rockwell
Crescent CC 33-12 Castletroy