Cork Con learn from early season lesson and exact revenge on Buccs

CORK CONSTITUTION captain Jerry Murray had every reason to smile after his side exacted sweet revenge on Buccaneers to book a place in the AIB League final next weekend.

A couple of months ago Buccaneers demolished Constitution at the same Temple Hill venue. On Saturday, Constitution proved they gleaned more from the defeat than the victors with a comprehensive 20-6 semi-final triumph.

Especially conscious of the forward drubbing on that occasion, Murray pointed out that the solution had been simple hard work.

"That defeat was a big wake-up call because we had played well up to then. They gave us a bit of a hiding and we knew that our best chance second time around was to take them on and beat them up front.

"It was important to get into their faces, to work on our defence and put in the big hits. I was delighted the way things worked out."

Murray is looking forward to Saturday's decider at Lansdowne Road when his side go into battle yet again with old rivals Shannon, although Constitution may well be without inspirational former skipper Ultan O'Callaghan and possibly Pat McCarthy.

Constitution must await the outcome of medical reports on the two, who were taken to hospital suffering from head and shoulder injuries respectively.

For the moment Murray is focused: "Shannon will provide a new and different challenge again, and we won't take much notice of the fact that we beat them here earlier in the league. It's a cup final and no matter who you play, it's all going to be about who performs on the day.

"We're under no illusions because we know that Shannon didn't do themselves justice in our earlier game."

For the moment Murray can reflect on a quality victory against a very good side. They never gave their decent home following much to fret over, save a 10 minute spell in the first-half before they exploded into action midway through that period.

Pat McCarthy dropped a goal after 18 minutes and then converted a magnificent try by winger Cronan Healy who left several defenders in his wake as he weaved a way through the visiting defence.

Constitution took a couple of bad options after that, notably when Murray kicked through instead of utilising extra players to his left and when McCarthy choose to take a quick penalty awarded straight in front of the posts. David Connellan kicked a subsequent penalty for Buccaneers and it appeared as if Constitution had opened the door for a revival.

Connellan kicked a second penalty early in the second-half but his side were unable to respond further.

Constitution upped the pace of the game and although they struggled to win quality lineout possession, they had another purple patch in the second-half.

The second try in 18 minutes was another top quality score. Jean Vincent Igarza, one of the most consistent players throughout the campaign, became the support act and finished off a superb movement that featured Anthony Horgan and Healy. Conrad O'Sullivan converted and Igarza made sure of the win with a drop goal five minutes later. Buccaneers were unable to make any further impression and captain Eoin Brennan said: "We just weren't good enough on the day. You've got to take your chances against a team like Con. Unfortunately, we didn't create, or weren't allowed to create, enough and can have no complaints. It's disappointing."