Forward dominance sent Crescent on their way in what they hope will end with a history making three in a row Munster senior cup wins as they beat CBC 10-0 at Clifford Park on Wednesday.
The win sets up a home quarter final but Crescent will know they will have to step up from this performance against a disappointing CBC who rarely threatened to score.
Crescent’s forwards dominated and as early as two minutes they forced the first penalty chance but Dylan Sheehan’s effort failed. Nonetheless the outhalf went on to give a super display and his line kicking, in particular, won many yards for his side.
Fittingly though it was the forwards who created the first try after 12 minutes. They drove over and flanker Gary O’Sullivan got the touchdown.
The rampant pack was also responsible for the second try after 23 minutes. They won a line-out five metres from the line and drove over with hooker Caolan Moloney touching down this time to make it 10-0.
CBC improved in the second half with Liam Coombes, Michael O’Halloran and Oisín Conway doing well behind the scrum. Up front number eight Evan Mintern shone with second rows Darragh Feeney and Cian Barry also to the fore.
But the Crescent back row of O’Sullivan, Peter Hickey and Sean Fitzgerald, curbed many an attack as CBC became frustrated.
Rockwell College secured a home quarter-final in their Munster Schools Senior Cup after surviving a spirited Pres second-half fight-back in difficult conditions at the Mardyke.
The Tipperary school looked well placed when leading 13-0 at the end of an opening period dotted with heavy showers which affected the handling of both sides.
Rockwell grabbed a fourth minute try through flanker Brian McLoughlin, converted by outstanding outhalf Bill Johnston, who also added two well-struck penalties from distance.
Pres stormed back into the contest with a try from wing Patrick Hogan after 49 minutes following a super midfield break by centre Robin Reidy with scrumhalf John Poland converting, 13-7.
Hogan was denied a second moments later after he intercepted in the Rockwell 22 only to be stopped inches from the line with the visitors escaping with a relieving penalty.
Johnston landed his third penalty on the hour, but his side had to endure a nervous finish, when Pres replacement outhalf Peter Sylvester scored a superb individual try, converted by Poland, in injury-time, but Rockwell hung on - Rockwell College 16 PBC Cork 14.
Ard Scoil Ris won a hugely entertaining local derby 21-13 at Thomond Park thanks to two first half tries and the accuracy with the boot of Conor Fitzgerald who kicked eleven points.
Ard Scoil had the benefit of the strong breeze in the opening half and after soaking up a deal of pressure early on they went in front when Peadar Collins intercepted deep in his own half.
He raced the length of the pitch to touch down. That was after sixteen minutes and they had their second try ten minutes later. A missed tackle saw St Munchin's being punished and this time the other centre, Jack O'Donnell touched down. Fitzgerald converted to make it 12-0.
Nonetheless two penalties by scrumhalf Brian Bennett had St Munchin’s very much in contention at halftime.
Backed by the breeze St Munchin’s then got to within two points after 53 minutes. The outstanding John Foley was heavily involved to send prop Peter Meyer over and Bennett converted.
Frustratingly St Munchin’s were penalised for not releasing in a ruck and Fitzgerald extended the lead with a penalty before he had the final say with two more successful kicks to ensure a home draw for his school in the quarter final.
The quarter-final draw is as follows: Crescent College Comprehensive v Glenstal Abbey; Castletroy Community College v PBC, Rockwell College v St Munchin's, Ardscoil Ris v CBC. Games to be played on February 10th-12th
