Clash of the greats in Senior Cup final
After seven successive years of Shannon dominance, these great rivals are back in the decider and hopefully set to attract an attendance that reflects the image of this once hugely prestigious competition. Although both have had to take a back seat to Shannon since 2000, it is interesting to note that Garryowen still lead the honours roster with 35 to 22 for Cork Con in second place.
Oddly enough, one must go back to 1989 for Con’s most recent success. This was before the advent of the All Ireland League so the Cup meant everything, especially to Shannon who were going for what at the time would have been a record-equalling four successive victories. However, a last-minute Kenny Murphy penalty thwarted them on a 13-12 scoreline.
Con had a star-studded side at the time with Donal Lenihan and Jerry Holland in the second-row and Moss Finn, Kenny Murphy and Michael Bradley in the back division. All were celebrated Irish internationals.
The most recent final meeting of Con and Garryowen took place at Musgrave Park in 1999 when the Limerick club prevailed 25-14.
There was again a huge amount of talent on view that day, with Garryowen boasting an all-international back-row of David Wallace, Paul Hogan and Ben Cronin and luminaries like Ronan O’Gara, Anthony Horgan, John Kelly, Frankie Sheahan and Donncha O’Callaghan in the Con line-up.
The game, of course, has changed utterly over the succeeding years and there won’t be too many Irish players in either side this afternoon. However, that shouldn’t diminish the players’ commitment to the cause, with Con all out to claim the trophy for the first time in 17 years and Garryowen seeking to end an eight-year drought.
Interestingly, Garryowen are likely to include Kevin Hartigan and Conor Kilroy and possibly Kevin O’Riordan and Pat Humphreys of the successful 1999 side while their current coach Paul Cunningham came into the game as a replacement. Another member of the squad, Donal Sheehan, was in the Con second-row that afternoon.
They are almost certain to be without John O’Sullivan and Chris Wyatt who will be required by Munster in Galway tomorrow but should have another contracted player, Eoghan Hickey, at out-half and the nippy Gerry Hurley at the base of the scrum.
A strong doubt, however, concerns the fitness of the talented O’Boyle twins, Ciaran and Killian.
Whereas Garryowen are coming off a defeat by Buccaneers in their last league outing, Cork Con’s confidence should be sky-high as they lead the division one table. This is due in large measure to the outstanding leadership of number eight Frank Cogan ably supported up front by Tim Ryan, Shane O’Connor and Merle O’Connor. They also have plenty of gas behind the scrum with players of the calibre of Denis Hurley, Richard Lane and Tom Gleeson. Virtually all are of very definite interest to Munster coach Declan Kidney and will regard this showpiece as an opportunity to get their point across.
At the end of the day, a Munster Cup final is not about individuals.
It’s all about club pride, and few possess this particular ingredient more than today’s protagonists.
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