Presentation Brothers College Cork are through to the Munster Schools Senior Cup final after a hard-fought 12-3 victory over a tremendous Bandon Grammar side.
The 28-time champions were forced to fight for every inch against the west Cork school which was once more typically associated with athletics and hockey, but has been a coming force on the Munster schools rugby scene for the past few years - reaching their first ever semi-final this season.
Bandon, the school which has given us such talents as Graham Norton and Darren Sweetnam, led 3-0 in torrential rain at Irish Independent Park for the majority of the game, before a moment of sheer class fired Pres towards another final.
Outside centre Seán French, who impressed throughout for Pres, saw the referee's arm outstretched for an advantage came onto his scrum-half's pass at an angle, chipping the ball in extremely tight space over two defenders before diving over an attempted tackle to get Pres off the mark.
Only a wildman would attempt a chip from about seven metres shy of the line, but it paid off for French with aplomb.
53: TRY PBC!
PBC 5-3 Bandon. What a try from Sean French. Sensational individual score. #StudyAtUL #MSSC https://t.co/FHxKMqo3fH— eir Sport (@eirSport) March 1, 2017
After a missed penalty to regain the lead for Bandon, some fine game management put Pres back in opposition territory to see out the game. On a day of such fine margins and horrendous weather, it just seemed unlikely the west Cork men were going to return the ball the length of the pitch.
Dispirited somewhat, they were breached once more during the game's final play, as Jack O'Sullivan crashed through five tacklers to seal the deal for his school.
TRY PBC!
PBC 12-3 Bandon. Jack O'Sullivan seals his side's place in the #MSSC final. #StudyAtUL https://t.co/Odoeu40p3L— eir Sport (@eirSport) March 1, 2017
Dodgy haircut but great finish by @jackosullivan98 for @pbcrugby to get the win!
— Niall Scannell (@N_Scannell222) March 1, 2017
Pres now await the winners of tomorrows all-Limerick clash in the final.
