Cork Constitution Reach Munster Senior Challenge Cup Final
17th November 2018 By Leonard Allen
Conor Kindregan scored the winning try for Cork Con
Cork Constitution booked their place in this season’s final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup against Garryowen on Saturday 5 January at Thomond Park after a 22-16 win over Highfield in a thrilling semi-final at Temple Hill.
This will be Con’s sixth appearance in the decider in the last seven years.
Great credit to Highfield who despite playing two divisions lower than their opponents nearly caused a major upset.
An injury to Highfield Captain Fintan O’Sullivan early in the second-half proved crucial as the game swung in favour of the home side after his departure.
Playing with a strong wind in the opening half, Highfield went ahead with a try from Eddie Earle converted by Shane O’Riordan after 13 minutes.
Despite being on the back foot Con’ worked the ball up field and a try in the corner by Liam O’Connell after twenty five minutes opened their account.
O’Riordan added two penalties to leave Highfield 13-5 ahead at the interval.
A third penalty from O’Riordan extended Highfield’s advantage eight minutes into the second-half.
Constant pressure by the Con’ pack was rewarded with a penalty try on 56 minutes.
Aidan Moynihan kicked a penalty on 67 minutes for Con’ and four minutes from time Conor Kindregan barged over for Con’s third try and Moynihan converted.
Scorers for Cork Constitution: L O’Connell, C Kindregan tries, pen try, A Moynihan pen, con.
Highfield: E Earle try, S O’Riordan con, 3 pens.
Cork Constitution: L O’Connell; JJ O’Neill, J Costigan, N Kenneally, R Jermyn; N Finn, J Higgins; G Duffy, V O’Brien, D Murphy; B Hayes, C Kindregan; C O’Flaherty, K Sheahan, S Duffy.
Replacements: P Casey, D Good, G Roche, J Murphy, R Cassidy, A Moynihan, B Galvin.
Highfield: L Kingston; G O’Leary, D O’Sullivan, B Murphy, P Stack; S O’Riordan, C Bannon; M Dillane, D Healy, P Ryan; D O’Connell, F O’Sullivan; M Cronin, C Gallagher, E Earle.
Replacements: C O’Sullivan, T Ryan, E Keating, J Duffy, B O’Hea, P Downes, D O’Callaghan.
Referee: S Kierans (MAR).
