Con eventually shake off gallant Munsters

FITTINGLY, the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League final will feature the teams that finished first and second, holders Cork Constitution taking on Old Belvedere for the big prize at Donnybrook on May 1.

Although Old Belvedere’s sensational victory over Clontarf on Saturday was the ultimate example of drama, there was no shortage of excitement either at Temple Hill yesterday when the champions were pushed to the limit by their old Limerick rivals Young Munster.

Constitution had an ace in the pack in the form of Gerry Hurley. Not surprisingly, the scrum-half won the man of the match award, although flanker turned winger Peter O’Mahony also came close, having been pressed into service there at the 11th hour because of a mini injury crisis in the camp.

Young Munster gave as good as they got and they had menacing runners in Matthew Costelloe, Ian Cross and Willie Staunton, while Alan Kingsley kept the scoreboard ticking over with three penalties from four attempts.

The loss of their line-out target man Shane O’Neill early on was critical, even if substitute Brendan Guilfoyle had a big game, and Con played on the perceived weakness out of touch to the benefit of Ian Nagle, Billy Holland and Brian Hayes.

Young Munster coach Mike Prendergast nonetheless paid tribute to his charges. “I asked the players to give it everything and they certainly emptied the tank; I couldn’t have asked for more but we struggled because we had to play our rugby from way too deep. We needed more territory but they had us pinned down in our part of the pitch for way too long.”

Con will reflect on missed opportunities and it certainly wasn’t an easy day at the office for the coaching staff, Brian Walsh praising Young Munster for their vigorous defence which they often turned into counter-attack.

“We tried everything to break them down but they’re very well organised, they don’t stop working and I doubt they missed a tackle all afternoon.”

Con enjoyed the better of the first half although playing into the wind. They were boosted by an early try from second row Hayes that Hurley converted, and pressure paid off again in the 26th minute when the scrum-half kicked a penalty.

Munsters hit back with two penalties from Kingsley to one from Hurley, before Kingsley nailed a third penalty a minute into the second half, driving his 45 metre angled effort brilliantly low into the wind to keep his side within closer striking distance.

Had an injured Kingsley managed to slot a fourth penalty attempt midway through the half or had Willie Staunton managed to hold possession from an intercept in the 66th minute, it might have added to the intrigue.

But Hurley calmed the Con nerves with a 78th minute penalty. His snap drop goal seven minutes into injury time was further indication of a quality player was on top of his game.

CORK CONSTITUTION: S Scanlon; R Lane, I Dineen, C Jouve, P O’Mahony; S Deasy, G Hurley; M Gately, D Fogarty, D Hurley; B Hayes, I Nagle; B Holland, B Cuttriss, F Cogan (capt).

Replacement: A Foley for Gately (76).

YOUNG MUNSTER: I Cross; C O’Hanlon, M Costelloe, R Moloney, A Carroll, W Staunton, A Kingsley, G Flaherty, G Slattery (capt), A Cotter, N Melbourne, S O’Neill, L Og Murphy, J O’Neill, S Hassett.

Replacements: B Guilfoyle for O’Neill (5, injured), H McGrath for Flaherty (53), D Bannon for Staunton (80).

Referee: D Wilkinson (IRFU).