High-Five for Cork Con

Cork Constitution completed a historic five-in-a-row of Munster Senior Challenge Cup titles, after a 14-0 defeat of Young Munster at Irish Independent Park.

Three first-half penalties from Tomás Quinlan put two scores between the sides at the break, and after a hard-fought second-half Robert Jermyn’s late try secured victory for Con, who now search their fifth consecutive Bateman Cup title.

High winds and driving rain earlier on the banks of the Lee brought fears of potential trench warfare but as the weather began to clear before kick-off both sides began with some good running rugby.

However, stern defences allowed little past, as a tactical battle raged between the two sides who are challenge at the head of the All-Ireland League Division 1A. Despite missing a tricky penalty early on, Con fly-half Tomás Quinlan steadied himself with an easy score in front of the posts 11 minutes in, the first of the game.

Young Munster were doing well with their lineout game, and some driving mauls saw the Cookies get close to the hosts’ line. In response Con were getting the better of the scrimmages, and having rolled over Munsters from their own scrum Quinlan was able to double their lead 21 minutes in.

The Limerick outfit were struggling to get the final killer pass, and after almost crossing under the posts they were brought back by referee George Clancy for an earlier knock-on. Quinlan added a third penalty just before the half, a pure kick splitting the posts from 40 metres despite the swirling wind.

The game was threatening to slide from the Cookies for the second year in succession, but they rallied just after half-time, using that rolling maul to great effect after Con gave away a number of penalties in succession. The Limerick outfit must have been camped in the Constitution 22 for almost 10 minutes, and thought they had the crucial score only for Colm Skehan to knock-on at the vital moment.

Con, going for their fifth consecutive Munster Senior Challenge Cup, held firm however despite the lengthy onslaught, and winning a crucial penalty in the 54^th minute they were able to clear. However, on the hour mark it was time for Young Munster’s scrum to get on top, but crucially Alan Tynan couldn’t convert from distance.

The missed chances proved costly as, with less than two minutes remaining, a quick Cork Constitution break saw captain Niall Kenneally wrongfoot his opposite number before offloading to winger Rob Jermyn who crawled over for the insurance score.

That settled it, and despite a late break for Young Munster, they couldn’t cross the line, held scoreless against a Con side who haven’t lost in the competition since 2011.

Con now have the Bateman Cup final to look forward to against Old Belvedere, while for both sides, dreams of a Division 1A title are still very much alive.

Cork Constitution: L O’Connell; JJ O’Neill, N Hodson, N Kenneally, R Jermyn; T Quinlan, J Higgins; G Duffy, M Abbott, R Burke, B Hayes, C Kindregan, G Lawlor, J Murphy, L Cahill.
Replacements: V O’Brien, G Sweeney, C Barry, M Clune, J Poland, L Duffy, S O’Leary.

Young Munster: S Airie; C O’Hanlon, J O’Connor, C Bohane, M Vaughan; A Tynan, J Lyons; G Ryan, G Slattery, C Skehan, T Goggin, M Madden, A Kennedy, D Walsh, D Ryan.
Replacements: M O’Mara, P Allen, A McCloskey, D Begley, R Guerin, P Downes, E Mundu.

Referee: G Clancy (MAR).