Cork Con Claim 26th Munster Senior Cup Title

Cork Constitution were crowned Munster Senior Cup winners for the 26th time on Saturday evening after a thrilling 26-22 win over Garryowen at Irish Independent Park.

Flying winger Rob Jermyn touched down twice in the final 13 minutes as the Temple Hill outfit overturned a seven point deficit to claim an historic third Munster Senior Cup title in a row.Rob Jermyn touches down the match-winning try CREDIT: Inpho

It’s only the second time in the history of the club they’ve achieved this feat – 98 years after they first completed the treble.

The loss was harsh on Garryowen, who led for the majority of the game, but Con were able to turn it on when it mattered most with out-half Tomás Quinlan in particular outstanding.

The win means Cork Con progress to the semi-final of the Bateman Cup next month as they seek to become the first Munster club to win that competition three times in a row.

The game was a repeat of last year’s final and Garryowen dominated the opening 40 and led 13-6 at the break.

Jamie Gavin struck the first penalty on seven minutes after a strong start by the Light Blues before clinical Quinlan replied after a rare Cork Con foray into the opposition half.

Aaron McCloskey was yellow carded for a tip tackle after 18 minutes but the Limerick side remained in the ascendancy. Five minutes later Quinlan joined McCloskey in the sin bin after illegally slowing down a very threatening Garryowen attack.

A second Gavin penalty on 28 minutes gave Garryowen a 6-3 lead and the Dooradoyle outfit finally got the try their efforts deserved on 37 minutes as Josh Hrstich did superbly to stretch and touch down in the left corner after an excellent Gavin pass.

Gavin’s touchline conversion moved the scoreboard to 13-3 in Garryowen’s favour but Con struck back before the break as the unerring Quinlan made it 13-6.

Luke Cahill tackles Paul McCarroll CREDIT: Inpho

Two Quinlan penalties early in the second half reduced the gap to just a point as Con finally started to move up through the gears but further penalties from Gavin on 54 and 65 minutes restored Garryowen’s seven-point lead.

With just 13 minutes remaining, Con finally managed to put some phases together and it paid off immediately as Niall Kenneally fed Jermyn on the left wing and the speed merchant finished in the left corner.

Quinlan took his time before nailing the touchline conversion to level the scores and set up a grandstand finish.

A fifth Gavin penalty edged Garryowen back in front but Con were intent on breaking Garryowen hearts yet again and on 77 minutes they struck the killer blow.

It looked as if the Cork Con forwards were going to maul their way over the line but the dogged Garryowen pack managed to hold them out. They had no answer when the ball was whipped wide though as it went through the hands of Quinlan, Michael Keyes, Darragh Lyons and finally Jermyn who touched down the winning score.

Quinlan’s touchline conversion again splits the posts and, although Garryowen had a chance to maul their way over for a second try, Con held firm for a memorable treble.

Cork Con captain Gerry Hurley giving his acceptance speech after receiving the Munster Senior Cup from Munster Branch President Mick Goggin CREDIT: Inpho

Cork Constitution: D Lyons; K Desmond, L Duffy, N Kenneally, R Jermyn; T Quinlan, G Hurley (Captain); G Duffy, A O’Driscoll, C Corkery; D O’Brien, G Lawler; C O’Flaherty, J Murphy, L Cahill.

Rolling replacements: M Abbott, A Slattery, F McSwiney, S Dwyer, A Dorgan, M Keyes, R Horgan.

Garryowen: A Wootton; S McMahon, A O’Byrne, J Purcell, J McInerney; J Gavin, J Glynn; B McNamara, E Rossiter, B Rowley; P McCarroll, A McCloskey; M Hanrahan, D Sherry (Captain), J Hrstich.

Rolling replacements: JM Griffin, R Brosnan, M O’Donnell, J Frawley, C Doyle, L Bourke, J Keane.

Referee: E Hogan O’Connell (MAR)