Saturday Senior Rugby Roundup

Cork Constitution retained their Bateman Cup title for a fourth time, as U.C.C. are promoted to Division 1B of the All Ireland League and Young Munster will face Cork Constitution in the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup Final.

The Bateman Cup remains in Munster for a sixth successive year after Cork Constitution defeated Galwegians 38-20 at Crowley Park.

Tries by Ryan Foley and Shane Daly and two conversions and two penalties by Tomas Quinlan gave the Cork side a 20-12 interval lead.

Quinlan added two penalties before Galwegians reduced the deficit to 26-19 with a John Clery try.

Max Abbott steadied Con’s nerves with a try and man of the match Ryan Foley scored his second try and Quinlan added the extras to send Con’ to the first part of a treble with the All Ireland League final next week against Clontarf and the week after they defend their Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup crown against Young Munster.

Cork Constitution: Darren Sweetnam; Aaron Spring, Ned Hodson, Niall Kenneally, Rob Jermyn; Tomas Quinlan, Ryan Foley; Gavin Duffy, Max Abbott, Ger Sweeney, Conor Kindregan, Brian Hayes, Graeme Lawler, James Murphy, James Ryan (capt).

Replacements used: Shane Daly for Hodson (32 mins), Liam O'Connor for Duffy (39), Luke Cahill for Lawler (46), Cathal O'Flaherty for Cahill, Rory Burke for Sweeney (both 59), John Poland for Foley (80).

In a rip roaring Ulster Bank League Division 2A playoff final at Stradbrook UCC became the fourth Munster side to be promoted this season after a 30-28 victory will see them play in Division 1B next season.

Kevin O’Keeffe opened the scoring with a penalty for U.C.C. The home side responded with two converted tries for a 14-3 lead, but College hit back with tries from Paul Kiernan and Kevin Slater and O’Keeffe converted both to give the students a 17-14 interval lead.

A try from Conor Barry and a conversion and penalty by O’Keeffe extended U.C.C.’s lead to 27-14. O’Keeffe saw a penalty effort come back off the upright and Blackrock replied with a converted try.

In the final quarter O’Keeffe extended their lead to 30-21 with a penalty.

Blackrock dominated the final stages and reduced the margin to two points with a fourth converted try and with the last play of the game the home side saw a Jack O’Carroll penalty effort come back off the upright and with it relegation to Division 2A for the Dublin side.

UCC: C McAuliffe; K O’Keeffe, K Slater (c), P Kiernan, J Kiernan; T Clifford, C O’Regan; C Slowey, B Burns, R O’Donovan; B Mitchell, B O’Byrne; C Barry, C Gallaher, E Earl.
Replacements: S O’Hanlon, F McDermott, R Moran, C Ansbro, G Ryan, R Slater, D Dennehy.

Young Munster booked their place in the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup final with a deserving win over Old Crescent 29-14 at the UL 4G pitch.

Having waited over four months since their win in the quarter final victory, Young Munster were full value for their win. Calvin Nash, Tom Goggin, Abrie Griesel, Mark Doyle and Shane Gleeson scored tries for the Cookies and Jack Lyons kicked two conversions.

Larry Hanly and Sean Fitzgerald replied with late tries for Old Crescent and Shane O’Brien converted both.

RESULTS:
Ulster Bank Bateman Cup Final: Galwegians 19, Cork Constitution 38;

Ulster Bank League Division 1B Playoff Final: Ballynahinch 9, Dublin University 18;

Division 2A Playoff Final: Blackrock College 28, U.C.C. 30;

Division 2C Relegation Playoff: Sligo 24, Enniscorthy 22;

Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup Semi Final: Old Crescent 14, Young Munster 29;