Domestic Season Review | Adult Rugby

We take a look back at the Munster clubs who performed exceptionally in their respective leagues week in, week out during the 2019/20 season.

Senior Clubs

Cork Con enjoyed a terrific season. The reigning All Ireland League Division 1A champions secured the top spot and were undefeated with 14 wins from 14.

Sitting on 61 points overall, the Cork club secured five try-scoring bonuses to go 12 points clear of Munster rivals Garryowen who finished in second.

Brian Hayes was awarded Men’s AIL Player of the Year, Jack Crowley was named Men’s AIL Division 1A Rising Star, while Brian Hickey was recognised as the Men’s AIL Coach of the Year at the 2020 virtual AIL Rugby Awards.

Cork Con Head Coach Brian Hickey speaks to his players.

Garryowen finished second in the table following some impressive performances over the likes of Clontarf, Terenure College and UCC in the latter stages of this season’s competition.

Of the Limerick club’s 14 matches played, the ‘Light Blues’ recorded 10 wins having only lost four with six try-scoring bonuses positioning them behind leaders Cork Con and five points clear of UCD who finished in third.

Garryowen’s Jack Daly. 

UL Bohemian were the dominant force in the Women’s All Ireland League. The Limerick club maintained an unbeaten record, winning 12 from 12 to finish nine points clear at the top of the table.

Alana McInerney was awarded Women’s AIL Try of the Season and Fiona Hayes was named Women’s AIL Coach of the Year at the 2020 virtual AIL Rugby Awards.

UL Bohs Head Coach Fiona Hayes.

The AIL Division 1B newcomers, Highfield, finished top of the league after impressing across the rounds.

Assured performances and comprehensive victories over Malone, Banbridge and Naas set the tone for Highfield early on and the Cork club continued their winning streak.

Highfield went nine points clear of Old Wesley, having lost only two games this season, while recording four try-scoring bonuses to accumulate 54 points in total.

Mascot Harry Quinlan with Highfield’s Fintan O’Sullivan.

Shannon maintained a level of consistency despite recording some losses throughout the first half of the season.

Sitting in third, the Limerick club showed their Division 1A experience with recent wins over Naas, Old Wesley and provincial rivals Highfield.

Shannon’s Kelvin Brown won Men’s AIL Try of the Season while Pa Ryan was named Men’s AIL Division 1B Rising Star at the 2020 virtual AIL Rugby Awards.

Shannon’s Pa Ryan in action for Ireland Club XV.

Cashel enjoyed a run of form in Division 2A which positioned them in third, having claimed 10 wins out of 14.

It settled on a matter of points difference between Cashel and Queen’s University, who finished in second.

Cashel finished third in Division 2A.

Old Crescent concluded their season seven points behind Cashel, having claimed nine victories across the rounds in Division 2A.

Although it was tight between second, third and fourth, there was breathing room between Old Crescent and Rainey Old Boys, who finished three points short of the Limerick club in fifth.

Val McDermott of Old Crescent RFC emerged as the top try scorer across all five AIL divisions, with 19 tries scored in the shortened season.

Val has played all his rugby with Old Crescent RFC from mini rugby beginnings to becoming a fixture on the senior team.

Old Crescent also won the Sporting Limerick Charity Cup.

Clonmel gained senior rugby status last season after regaining the Munster Junior Division 1 title which led them to victory over Seapoint in the relegation play-off decider.

The Tipperary club impressed in Division 2C this season and maintained a well-deserved fourth spot in the table.

Clonmel gained senior status last season.

Junior Clubs

Kilfeacle were crowned All Ireland Junior Cup champions for the first time following a 28-24 win over Dromore in the final of the competition.

Kilfeacle’s player-coach Willie Staunton contributed 13 points to the win, including two drop goals, as a brace from Darren Lowry and a score from Kevin Kinane edged the Munster side in front come the full-time whistle.

Kilfeacle won the All Ireland Junior Cup in January.

In the Munster Junior League Division 1, Kilfeacle were on the verge of being crowned champions for the second time.

The table-toppers defeated Clonakilty in their final game this season with a bonus-point victory.

Old Christians finished top of Munster Junior League Division 2 as a result of a 29-3 win over Fethard in Rathcooney.

Jim Aherne was the hero for the Cork club, scoring four tries as Ryan O’Connell also touched down and Brian Sisk kicked two conversions.

Old Christians finished top of Division 2.

Killorglin lifted the Martin O’Sullivan Cup for the first time. Killorglin defeated holders Killarney 24-14 with three penalties from Luke O’Shea providing a 9-0 interval lead.

Timmy Lynch and Andrew O’Reilly added tries after the break and O’Shea kicked a conversion and a penalty.

The Kerry club also claimed the McElligott Cup as well as finishing top of the Munster Junior League Division 3.

Killorglin in action at Irish Independent Park.

Kinsale secured the Clubs Challenge Shield at Irish Independent Park following a 32-17 win over Kanturk.

Three tries in the final five minutes saw Kinsale snatch the title as Kanturk previously held a 17-15 lead – Dan Cronin, Shane O’Connell, Rob Armstrong, Sean Kingston and Josh Barrett scored the tries.

O’Connell kicked a conversion and a penalty while Kingston also added a conversion.

Clanwilliam won the Garryowen Cup.

Clanwilliam lifted the Garryowen Cup after pushing past Waterpark 22-9 in the final of the competition.

The Munster Junior League Division 1 side came from behind after going 9-0 down in the opening stages of the match.

Click here to read the Munster Rugby Competitions Summary for season 2019/20.