Sport

PBC have the firepower

Old Cork adversaries CBC and PBC lock horns in this afternoon's Munster final in Musgrave Park

Thu Mar 17 2005 - 00:00

Old Cork adversaries CBC and PBC lock horns in this afternoon's Munster final in Musgrave Park. The build-up has been relatively muted compared to other years as Christians seek their second title in three years, while Pres hope to bridge a nine-year gap in lifting the trophy.

Coach Don Buckley can call on five of last year's squad - Sam Cronin, Gavin Dunne, Eamon Nugent, Michael O'Leary and Neil Bourke - to sprearhead the Pres challenge. Cronin captains the side and teams up with fellow Munster interprovincial Dunne in a formidable half-back pairing. Others who impressed in the side's path to the final were wing Seán McKeown and number eight Eamon Nugent, while Michael Keyes, son of former Ireland outhalf Ralph, should figure at some stage.

Already Pres have accounted twice for Christians in pre-cup friendlies. Buckley believes little will separate the sides at the finish.

"We beat them 25-10 in Lansdowne and 24-3 in Wilton. Although the second encounter might seem very comprehensive, we only pulled away in the last couple of minutes," said Buckley.

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Meanwhile, Christians, if early-season form was an accurate indicator, ought not be going for their 28th title. An injury-time try from Kevin Doyle, son of former Kerry football legend Tommy, gave them a surprise 19-13 victory over favourites St Munchin's.

Doyle's pace on the wing is part of an exciting Christians three-quarter line, which includes winger Gavin Blower, 16-year-old Chris Nolan at scrumhalf and Peter O'Sullivan at fullback, whose injury-time conversion from the sideline was another memorable cameo from the game of tournament.

Coach Peter Melia, who also acts as Munster and Ireland coach, can call on five of last year's squad, which was beaten by Pres 12-5 in the semi-final, with captain Don Keogh leading the charge from number eight, though doubts surround the fitness of secondrow Kieran Essex.

"Pres beat us well in both early season games this year. We've got a huge mountain to climb," said Melia.

Expect a close encounter, but Pres to end years of agony looks the likely outcome.

CBC: P O'Sullivan; G Blower, F Chesne, I Dineen, K Doyle; A Coughlan, C Nolan, K O' Donoghue, D Nathan, R O' Neill; K Essex, R Gee, S O' Sullivan, C Liston, D Keogh (c).

PBC: (probable) S Deasy, S Costigan, Bn Dennehy, T Kenneally, S McKeown, G Dunne, S Cronin (c), J Carton, Ml O' Leary, N Burke, R McCarthy, R Allen, T Hennebry, J O' Driscoll, E Nugent.