Tierney: Con ready for tough cup test

Not everyone is happy the way the Munster Branch has conducted affairs in relation to the Munster Senior Cup.

However, Tom Tierney, who spent much of his playing career in Limerick and Munster, believes in years to come anyone possessing a Munster Cup medal will treasure it as much as players did in the glory years of the competition

Tierney is now head coach at Cork Constitution, holders of the trophy, and is in no mood to let their grip slip. Con meet Young Munster in today’s semi-final at Temple Hill (2.30) and Tierney hailed it as “the second biggest competition in club rugby.”

In the other semi-final, UL Bohemian meet Garryowen on the back pitch at Thomond Park (2pm), a bone of contention considering there is no other match fixed for Thomond this weekend. “Of course, said Tierney, “it’s all behind the All-Ireland League, but here in Munster, as you get older, it’s about how many cup medals you possess. In this day and age there are things pulling left, right and centre but today you’ll see the 100% effort trying to get to the final of a Munster Senior Cup because, when we’re all old and grey and can’t play any more, these are the memories.”

Tierney recognises it will be difficult at Temple Hill: “Young Munster have had pretty much the upperhand in the last three to four games, so home advantage is something we’re happy with. However, Munsters will be coming to Cork expecting to win.

“At the end of the day we realise the value of having some Munster players involved with Cork Con, we know there is quality there from Academy and those on development contracts. The value they add to the team is immense but we’re well aware that these guys can be taken from us at any time. They’re in the Munster system so we have to be vigilant as to how we actually build our squad and we have identified the fact that we need a squad of club players.

“We can’t be reliant on contracted players to get us through the seasons, that’s something we are very conscious of and we’ve got a very competitive squad.

“Anyone we miss at the weekend, I’d be confident they can be replaced by guys capable of doing a job, we’re very confident about their competence and their attitude; they’re up to speed on everything. We have to be ready for every game and every eventuality; it’s something we have worked hard on.

“We have all the different contingency plans in place to put out a very competitive Con side and I’d be happy to say we won’t give this trophy up with a big fight.”