ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup- Round One
23rd September 2006 By Munster Rugby
First round wins for Highfield, Clonakilty, Old Crescent, Thomond, Cork Constitution and Shannon in the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup
Sponsored by ODM Accountants
ROUND ONE ROUND UP
Cup rugby is known to throw up surprises, and the first round of the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup was no exception. Last year s beaten finalists Dolphin bowed out to a rampant Highfield, while Cork Charity Cup winners Midleton were defeated by Clonakilty. Old Crescent edged a one point victory over UCC, while Thomond, Cork Constitution and defending champions Shannon all came through their first round encounters.
Last year s finalists Dolphin had an early exit from the competition after Highfield produced a 30 point to nil performance to end Dolphin s title hopes. After the disappointment of their defeat in the Cork Charity Cup final last week, Dolphin s hopes of Senior Cup silverware came to an end at the hands of a rampant Woodleigh Park side. An early try from Morgan O Gara, converted by Brian O Meara gave Highfield the ideal start. Three O Meara penalties gave them a 16-0 lead, with two tries from Dave Ryan and Rory Lankford in the last ten minutes completing the convincing win. Next up for Highfield is an all Cork affair when they are away to Cork Constitution.
Fresh from their Cork Charity Cup win, Midleton hosted Clonakilty at Towns Park. An early injury to the Midleton goal kicker Jeff Hitchmough did not help the home side s cause, however, the half time score read 6-3 to Midleton after two penalties converted by Tyrone Taipei and one from Clonakilty s Gary Cribb. In the second half Kieran Barry scored for Midleton from an intercept which Taipei converted. However, two tries in the last quarter from Clonakilty captain Eoin Scannell which Cribb converted from the touchline, and then Batt Duggan sealed the West Cork side s 18-13 victory.
Old Crescent and UCC had a close encounter in Rosbrien, with the home side just shading the win with a 31-30 victory. Old Crescent s tries came from Niall O Brien, two from Lorcan Burke and one from James Patten with out half Alan Purcell converting one of the tries and scoring three penalty conversions. For UCC, Peter Shallow crossed the line twice, with Peter Moynihan also scoring a try. A drop goal, two penalties and three conversions completed their scoring. In the next round, Old Crescent travel to Clonakilty.
Thomond saw off the challenge of Sunday s Well with a 26-6 victory, scoring 20 points in the second half. Despite the sides remaining close for the first half and much of the second half, Thomond stepped up a gear in the last quarter with two tried from prop Tom Clifford. Out half Declan Cusack scored 16 points, which included four penalties and two conversions. The Well s out half Eddie Tubridy scored their six points from two first half penalty conversions. Thomond now face Garryowen in the next round after Garryowen received a walkover from Youghal.
At Annacotty, visitors Cork Constitution progressed to Round Two after a 30-22 won over UL Bohemians. Tries from McPhail, Hanley and Hurley and two conversions and a drop goal from Ben Martin were not enough to give the home side the win. For Cork Constitution, a try each from Hurley and O Connor, two tries from O Riordan and two conversions and two drop goals from Nethery clinched the victory. Cork Constitution will play Highfield in the next round.
Defending champions Shannon faced a long journey when they travelled to Ballinakill to play Waterpark. It seems the journey had little effect on the visitors, who notched up nine tries in the 59-10 win over Waterpark. Leading 3-26 at half time, Shannon s first half try scorers included Andrew Thompson, Les Hogan, John Colgan and David Quinlan. With three of those tries converted, and a Waterpark penalty putting them on the scoresheet, the score was 26-3 at half time. In the second half, tries from TJ Hickey, Philip O Connor, two from Stephen Kelly, and a second form Andrew Thompson, with Thompson converting four of the tries, completed Shannon s scoring. For Waterpark, Maurice Lowe crossed the line for a try which was converted. Shannon will be at home to Young Munster in the second round.
ROUND ONE
Fri 22nd September 2006
Dolphin 0-30 Highfield
Sat 23rd September 2006
Garryowen v Youghal (W/O to Garryowen)
Midleton 13-18 Clonakilty
Old Crescent 31-30 U.C.C.
Thomond 26-6 Sunday’s Well
U.L. Bohemian 22-30 Cork Constitution
Waterpark 10-59 Shannon
Byes – Nenagh Ormond, Young Munster, Bruff.
ROUND TWO
Weekending 30th September
All games kick off at 2.30pm
Shannon v Young Munster
Cork Constitution v Highfield
Clonakilty v Old Crescent
Bruff v Nenagh Ormond, Killballyowen Park
Thomond v Garryowen
Please note fixtures are subject to change. Please check www.munsterrugby.ie for up to date information