Cork Con aim to hit right note for Young Munster clash

JAZZ won’t be confined to the pubs and hotels of Cork this weekend as Cork Constitution FC take a different approach to hosting a major club game at Temple Hill this afternoon.

Not content in the knowledge that their All-Ireland League opponents Young Munster will lend considerable colour and vocals to this Division 1A top of the table game (kick-off 2.30), Constitution will host musical entertainment before and after the contest.

Constitution will provide extra-curricular activities in the form of live jazz, a match-day barbeque and activities for children with an underage blitz tournament prior to the big game.

However, Constitution coach Brian Walsh will be concentrating on what he regards as a huge test. Walsh is looking forward to a big home crowd to create the necessary atmosphere, although he admits Young Munster supporters will likely create their own atmosphere, come what may.

“It’s a great club, great people with a huge tradition and you always have to be at your best to beat that,” said Walsh.

The coach is happy with the season to date, particularly with their start to the AIL and the nine points out of a possible 10 garnered through victories over Blackrock College and Old Belvedere away.

“Yeah, it was nice to win those games. We lost to Blackrock at the start of the league last season, so the win, and the bonus point, was a great return. The fact that we had to go on the road again to newcomers Old Belvedere helped focus our minds on what we wanted to achieve and how to achieve it. Belvedere, having been promoted, were difficult opponents as we expected they would be, so it was nice to get another win,” he said.

But Walsh is conscious that home advantage might mean nothing against Young Munster, who have also made a great start with wins over Garryowen at Dooradoyle and St Mary’s at Clifford Park to leave them a point adrift of the leaders.

“They have certainly hit the ground running this season. We would always be wary of Young Munster irrespective of their current form but they’re on a roll at the moment and will come here looking to move into top position.”

Of additional significance is the fact that it doubles as a battle for the Danaher Sheehan Cup, a trophy to honour Young Munster’s former Bateman Cup-winning star of the 1920s.

Elsewhere, the action in Division 1B is similar, with the leaders Clontarf (nine points) taking on Buccaneers (eight). Clontarf have proved too good for both Bruff and Galwegians so far, winning 26-11 against the Munster club and 33-11 in Galway. Buccaneers have done well too, with a 22-16 win over newly-promoted Lansdowne and a 26-18 victory at Bruff.

Meanwhile today’s clash of Sunday’s Well and Seapoint AIL at Musgrave Park will kick off at 3pm and not 2.30pm as previously stated.