Cork Charity Cup Final

16th November 2005 By Munster Rugby

Cork Constitution host Dolphin at Temple Hill on Friday night (7.30pm KO) for the Cork Charity Cup Final which celebrates 101 years this year

2005/6 CORK CHARITY CUP FINAL

Cork Charity Cup -101 Years Old

Cork Constitution v Dolphin

Friday 18^th November 2005

Temple Hill

7.30pm Kick Off

Cork Constitution will host Dolphin in the Cork Charity Cup Final on Friday night, with the home side looking to win their 36^th Charity Cup title, and complete a hat trick of wins. The competition is 101 years old this year and Cork Constitution will be determined to take this year s title having claimed the very first Cork Charity Cup title back in 1905/6. With the early rounds played in September, both teams have seen plenty of AIL action in the intervening period, and with strong performances from both in their respective divisions Friday night s clash is shaping up to be a thrilling clash.

On their path to the final, Cork Constitution notched up 37 points with a five try tally at home against Midleton in their quarter final draw, with Midleton s 16 points not enough to upset the title holders campaign. In the semi final, Cork Constitution travelled west to take on Clonakilty, and racked up six tries on that occasion, with the visitors winning 46-13 and booking their place in the final.

This pairing is a repeat of the 2003/4 final, with Cork Constitution successful on that occasion, giving Dolphin an added incentive to turn the tide on Cork Constitution s winning record. Dolphin last won the Cork Charity Cup in their centenary year of 2001/2 and are hoping to add another title to their record of 19 Charity Cup victories. Dolphin opened their campaign with a 13-8 win over last year s beaten finalists Highfield. They went onto play UCC in the semi final, winning 24-12 in a game in which one of Munster s young guns, Tomas O Leary, shone and gave Dolphin the vital edge.

CORK CHARITY CUP ORIGINS

The Cork Charity Cup was first played in 1905/6, with Cork Constitution winning the very first title. The competition was introduced for the Senior clubs of the city as a means of contributing funds to both the North and South Infirmary hospitals, who saw their fair share of rugby injuries during the season, and a donation was made to each alleviate costs. The Cork Charity Cup was donated in 1907 by Lt. C. E. Walker, a member of Cork County Football Club, and the original Cup is still used in the competition. The competition has run every year since the 1905/6 season, with the exception of five years around the time of World War One.

2005/6 CORK CHARITY CUP RESULTS

Round 1:

Cobh Pirates 9-15 Sunday s Well

Midleton 0-0 Crosshaven (home team awarded a walkover)

Quarter Finals

UCC 26-17 Waterpark

Clonakilty 19-9 Sunday s Well

Dolphin 13-8 Highfield

Cork Constitution 37-16 Midleton

Semi Finals

UCC 12-24 Dolphin

Clonakilty 13-Cork Con 46