Bonus point icing on cake as Con outgun arch rivals
The game was still in the melting pot when Constitution clinched a deserved victory with an intercept try in the closing seconds. Having already secured the bonus point, it was merely the insurance required by the home side against their old and respected rivals.
That respect was reflected by Constitution coach Brian Walsh who watched Constitution grab their fourth try inside 50 minutes but then lose their way. “I thought we had it nailed then but we missed a couple of penalties; we ended up conceding a score that allowed them back in the game.
“Young Munster are a good side, they look after the ball very well and they’re hugely competitive. We lost concentration and they came right back into the game to help create a rip-roaring last 20 minutes.
Young Munster player-coach Mike Prendergast believed his side at least deserved a losing bonus point and not too many would disagree. Prendergast is ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee ligament injury and this loss clearly heightened his disappointment, although he will surely have been happy with the display of Alan Kingsley in the number 9 shirt.
“We had scoring opportunities in the first-half that might have made a difference,” he said, “and the only thing I can say is that we battled on when things were going against us. Typically, Constitution took their chances, they’re not champions for nothing and when they got opportunities they took them.
“Their offloading game is particularly good and we paid a heavier price than we deserved. We lost a couple of key players and that didn’t help either, but we’ve got to get back on track now for next week’s home tie with Old Belvedere,” he said.
Kingsley kicked two first-half penalties for Young Munster, but against the run of play Constitution managed to lead 12-6 at the break after second row Brian Hayes scored two excellent tries, one converted by Richard Lane.
Constitution struck early in the second-half with tries from Simon Zebo and Peter O’Mahony in the sixth and ninth minutes, but Munsters fought back with a try from Matthew Costello, a conversion and penalty from Kingsley.
Hurt by injuries to Willie Staunton and Neville Melbourne particularly, Young Munster couldn’t make the crucial breakthrough. Lane and Kingsley exchanged penalties and Lane got the important try that he converted himself as the visitors paid the price for one sloppy pass.
Constitution coach Walsh is clearly happy with his side’s total of 14 points from three matches. “It’s a good start for sure,” he said, but he was singularly unimpressed when informed that next week’s opponents Shannon were thumped 53-0 by St. Mary’s.
Such poor form should suggest that the traditional AIL experts will provide less than daunting opposition. “Better not believe it,” said Walsh, “it’s Shannon we’re playing and there is bound to be a backlash.”
CORK CONSTITUTION: S. Scanlon, R. Lane, S. Zebo, I. Dineen, C. Healy, D. Lyons, A. Ryan, M. Gateley, R. Quinn, S. Archer, B. Hayes, I. Nagle, B. Holland, F. Cogan (captain), P. O’Mahony.
Replacements: M. O’Leary for Quinn (51), C. Desmond for Healy (57). Temporary, J. McSwiney for O’Mahony (blood).
YOUNG MUNSTER: R. Moloney, C. O’Hanlon, M. Costelloe, D. Grace, D. O’Neill, W. Staunton, A. Kingsley, A. Cotter, G. Slattery (captain), G. Flaherty, S. O’Neill, D. Payne, L. Óg Murphy, N. Melbourne, J. O’Neill.
Replacements: S. Hassett for Melbourne (injured, 39), S. Upton for Staunton (injured, 44), J. Moroney for O’Neill (51), D. Sheehan for O’Hanlon (injured, 77).
Referee: A. Rogan (IRFU).
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