Cork Con FC 1st XV 14 - 23 Garryowen RFC
Venue: Templehill
Competition: Munster Senior Cup semi-final
Match Report:

Garryowen, showing five changes in their starting XV from last week’s big AIL defeat at Templehill, won a well-merited victory at Dooradoyle on Saturday, thus depriving their oldest Munster adversaries of six successive Munster Senior Cup titles in succession.

Last week Constitution won 37-11 at Templehill, but this week Constitution, despite taking a 15th minute 3-0 lead, found themselves 6-13 in arrears by half-time. And trailed 9-16 at the mid-point of the second period, from where they never threatened to turn the tables. And only a last minute try helped to ease the pain.

Tomas Quinlan kicked the early penalty, equalised by Niall Cronin for the home side on 22 minutes. Wing James McInearney scored a left wing try expertly converted by Cronin, who also added a penalty on the half-hour for 13-3. However, a 40th minute penalty by Quinlan kept Constitution’s hopes alive at 13-6.

Cronin and Quinlan were successful with penalties in the third quarter for 16-9. But scrum-half Cronin scored a decisive try and conversion from a maul in the left corner in the 62nd minute for

23-9, and while Robert Jermyn hit back immediately with a try for the visitors, Garryowen held out for a significant victory

R.Horgan IRFU

G.Higgins; J.J.O’Neill, N.Hodson, N.Kenneally, R.Jermyn; T.Quinlan, J.Higgins; B.Quinlan, M.Abbott, G.Sweeney; B.Hayes, C.Kindregan Capt.; J.McSwiney, G.Lawler, L.Cahill.

Replacements: G.Duffy (1), D.Murphy (3), P.Kelleher, S.Duffy, G.Hurley (9), D.A.Moynihan (12); L.O’Connell (15).

R.Jermyn 1T; T.Quinlan 3P.

A.O’Byrne; B.Fitzgerald, H.O’Brien-Cunningham, P.Collins, J.McInearney; J.Gavin, N.Cronin (C); N.Horan, L.Cronin, A.Keating; T.Ferguson, D.Moore; M.Rowley, M.Wilson, S.Rennison.

Replacements: R.Meyer, J.Phelan (3); A.McCloskey, P.Clancy, A.Rice, B.McNamara, D.Ryan.

J.McInearney 1T; N.Cronin 1T3P1C.