Glenstal Abbey and PBC do battle in Munster Schools Cup decider

Glenstal Abbey face a huge challenge in the form of Presentation Brothers College Cork in the Munster Schools Senior Cup Final on St Patrick’s day in Thomond Park at 4pm.

The Limerick side have never won the competition and it’s their first time in the final since 1970 where they lost to Rockwell College. It is a different story for PBC who are looking to win their 29th title and go back level in the honours list with their cross city rivals CBC.

History and pedigree has the Cork powerhouses as favourites heading into the game but Glenstal will care not for history. Their only concern will be performing to the best of their ability and if they can achieve that, then they can be more than a match for PBC.

Glenstal Abbey got into this year’s final after a brilliant performance against fellow Limerick Schools Ardscoil Ris in Thomond Park two weeks ago by winning by a single point 21-20.

Tries from Jack O’Mahony, George Downing and Luke Fitzgerald being the decisive factor in the match.
Glenstal Abbey’s route to the final.

While Glenstal and Ardscoil played out a thriller, PBC got passed a stubborn Bandon side on a score line of 12-3 to book their place in the final.

Having trailed 3-0 and in conditions not suited to running rugby, it was PBC centre Seán French who proved to be the match-winner with a try two minutes from the end of normal time. Highlights of both games can be seen below.

In earlier rounds, Glenstal played their first round match against St Clements College with a 27-10 win. Brilliant tries from Ronan Quinn, Ronan O’Sullivan and Jack O’Mahony helped the team, who were superb through out the game.

The went on to play Rockwell College in the Quarter Finals of the competition beating them on a good scoreline of 18-0. Stand out players on the day being Conan O’Sullivan, Shane Downes and Mark Walsh.

Glenstal will be well aware of the challenge in front of them and know that their defensive effort will need to improve against physical PBC side. If they ship 20 points to PBC like they did to Ardscoil in the semi final then they will not be in with a shout.

Key to their success thus far is an attack that has been imaginative, creative and free flowing. The Murroe based school will need to bring all of these factors to the table if they are earn their first title.

Prediction: Bookies are seldom wrong and we think that PBC have both history and sheer size on their side. The Cork side should have enough to see them through but anything less that 100% and this Glenstal side are ready to pounce.

Glenstal Abbey School Squad: Jack O’Mahony; Tim Molony, Jamie Mawhinney, Luke Fitzgerald, Ronan Quinn, Ben Healy, Thanade McCoole; Sean Scanlon-Garry, George Downing, Eoin Bergin, Conan O’Sullivan, Shane Downes, Conor Booth, Mark Fleming, Rory Clarke (Captain) Padraic Mulligan, Patrick Prendergast, Henry Downing, David Kelly, Mark Walsh, Andrew Walsh, Aran Egan, Declan Floyd, Eoin Callaghan, Andrew Hogan.
Presentation Brothers College Squad: J Wren; P Buckley, S French, J Broderick, T Fitzgerald; P Sylvester, G Bradley, L Bruce, C Burke, B Scannell, B O’Connor; A McAuliffe, E Burns, M McCarthy; C Fitzgerald, D Hyland, J O’Sullivan.