Crescent and Constitution Do Battle for ODM Munster Senior Cup

Old Crescent and Cork Constitution will contest the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup final on Sunday next (4th Jan) at Clifford Park. Kick off will be at 2pm.

The Munster Senior Cup is the most prestigious club competition in Munster, with a rich tradition that every Senior club in Munster aspires to be part of.

Sunday’s finalists have hugely contrasting histories in the Munster Senior Cup competition. All Ireland League Division Two side Old Crescent have never won the Munster Senior Cup and in fact last competed for the coveted trophy 46 years ago. On the other hand, Cork Constitution have won the Cup 21 times, although it has been 20 years since they last won the title.

Cork Constitution have been to the forefront of Irish rugby in recent years, competing in the last two All Ireland League finals, and claiming the title back in May of 2008. They currently lie at the upper end of the All Ireland League, with four wins out of seven under their belts. In the Munster Senior Cup, Constitution have an extra game played in this competition- defeating UL Bohemians in the only first round game of this competition on an impressive scoreline of 20-3. In their second round game they played Munster Senior Cup specialists Shannon, knocking out the former champions on a 21-7 margin. Constitution also scored 21 points in their quarter final win over UCC, winning by 12 points. Their win in the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup semi final was dramatic to say the least, with the Cork side coming back from a 20-0 deficit to clinch the win with a dramatic 55 metre penalty kicked by Richard Lane in the last play of the game.

Division Two side Old Crescent have been steadily improving a this season has progressed. They currently lie mid table in the AIL Division Two but with a game in hand and four wins out of six to their credit. Already they have ended Ballynahinch’s unbeaten run in the league with a fine performance, and in the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup they ended Nenagh Ormond’s campaign with a 9-6 win in the second round. Their quarter final display against Sunday’s Well in very difficult conditions was very impressive, notching up 20 points and keeping the Cork side scoreless. In the semi final, a fine kicking display from Mark Woods and a try from Aaron O’Carroll gave them a 17-13 win over Bruff in what was a hard fought encounter.

Presented by W.L Stokes (Limerick) and J. Forbes Maguire (Cork), the trophy has been contested since 1886 and has been played for 118 times prior to today’s final. The only years since 1886 that it wasn’t played for was during the First World War.

The ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup is sponsored by ODM Accountants, Bandon- long standing supporters of Munster Rugby and club rugby in the province. This is their fourth season sponsoring the Munster Senior Challenge Cup competition.

2008/9 ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup
Round One
Cork Constitution 24-3 UL Bohemian

Round Two
Crosshaven 19 – 27 Bruff
Midleton 14 – 32 U.C.C.
Nenagh Ormond 6 – 9 Old Crescent
Shannon 7 – 21 Cork Constitution
Thomond 24 – 41 Garryowen
Waterpark 10 – 19 Sundays Well
Young Munster 22 – 24 Highfield
Clonakilty 5 – 27 Dolphin

Quarter Finals
Highfield 5 – 9 Garryowen
Old Crescent 20 – 0 Sundays Well
U.C.C. 9 – 21 Cork Constitution
Dolphin 8 – 23 Bruff

Semi Finals
Bruff 13-17 Old Crescent
Cork Constitution 23-20 Garryowen