This was the first time a West Cork team claimed this coveted title. Played in difficult conditions in Fermoy the Bantry boys mastered the conditions better, soaked up sustained pressure in the first 25 minutes and held patient to eventually overcome a physically imposing Tipperary team.
Abbey scored on merit the first try after 10 minutes after camping inside the Bantry 22 for the opening period. On a day not favouring place kickers, conversions remained elusive, and though Abbey pushed on again, the Bantry defence remained bulletproof for the remainder of the match. Great discipline and teamwork was the hallmark of this performance, and this was rewarded on thirty minutes when Thomas O ‘Donovan dived in the corner for Bantry’s opening score after 28 minutes. Level at half time playing against the wind was a rewarding was a deserved for stoic defensive work, and Bantry tried to ramp up their attack in the second period. Again this was difficult as Abbey proved impermeable, however Bantry’s endeavour was rewarded with a penalty slotted over by Sean McCarthy, and minutes later McCarthy dropped a goal after the referee was playing advantage for an Abbey infringement. Abbey threw everything at the West Cork men for a sustained time, but a great break by scrum half Paidi O’Sullivan led to a Bantry attack, and in the subsequent lineout Kevin Holland stole and went in for a great try to copperfasten a tremendous achievement. Abbey to their credit never gave up, but time and a formidable Bantry defense didn’t allow any further progress and Bantry went on to deservedly win out.
Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai 16
Abbey CBC Tipperary 5
Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai;
E.McElhinney,T O Donovan, T Harrington, T Nolan, S Keevers,
S McCarthy, POSullivan, F O Sullivan,T McCarthy, P Casey, A James, K Holland, A O Sullivan, A Phillips, I Hurley, C O Sullivan,J Murphy, J Donegan, A O Driscoll, E O Shea, P Daly,A O Sullivan,L Cronin,C Tobin
