Difference in class too much as Cork Con slam Nenagh

Cork Constitution cruised past Nenagh Ormond in their Munster Senior Cup quarter-final clash in Ballintemple, scoring 8 tries in a 57-10 demolition of the Division 2A side.

Nenagh were stubborn throughout however, even as they were being bludgeoned by a ruthless Division 1A side. Head coach Ivan Muldoon , brother of Connacht captain John, was proud of the performance considering the gulf in quality between the sides.

“We were missing a few players today but we don’t want to use that as an excuse. Cork Con are a very strong side and there’s a difference in class you’d have to say. There’s a lot to work on.”

Nenagh looked to lay down an early marker until Cork Con centre Niall Kenneally pounced on a loose ball and offloaded to second-row Brian Hayes, who galloped 20 metres up field. He fed out-half Tomas Quinlan for a try and conversion. Quinlan went on to kick six from seven, despite slippery underfoot conditions.

Con were now alive to the threat Nenagh posed and so, didn’t relent for the remainder of the first half. Flanker Ross O’Neill chased every kick twhile Ger Sweeney and Max Abbott put in some bone-jarring hits.

The energy they expended paved the way for a James Murphy try off a lineout and one for the impressive Sonny Dwyer in the corner, as well as a penalty for Quinlan to kick.

There was some respite for Nenagh with a penalty award before halftime. Clayton Stewart knocked it over to open his team’s account just as the whistle sounded; Cork Con 24 Nenagh 3.

In the second half Con were quick to assert their authority with a well-worked Ned Hodson try and then Kenneally intercepted before touching down under the posts.

But then Nenagh woke up and Moloney, after some neat footwork, scored well-deserved touchdown.

Hickey’s men inflicted more pain though as Quinlan played a cross-field kick for substitute winger Michael Clune to dot down before Shane Daly and Rob Jermyn completed the rout with tries of their own.

In Limerick, Young Munster ran seven well-worked tries in, as they demolished their long-time foes Shannon by 50-3 in their quarter-final clash at Tom Clifford Park.

The Cookies laid down the marker early with player/coach Ger Slattery getting on the board after five minutes before a regrouped Shannon created a penalty opportunity, which fly-half Ronan McKenna duly slotted.

The Parish’s good fortune ended there however, as a brace of tries followed for Young Munster’s Darren Ryan before Alan Kennedy set prop Colm Skehan- a dominant force in the scrum- up for a try that brought the half-time score to 26-3.

The second half continued in similar fashion with Alan Tynan adding a five pointer to his three conversions. Rob Guerin and Munster academy flanker Dan Walsh grabbed a try each before Jake Fehilly reached the half century mark for the Cookies.

The surprise of the competition came when Division 2A side Cashel squeezed out a 5-0 victory away to UCC.

The decisive score coming from Cashel winger Andrew Wallace, who slipped in for a 17th minute try.

Highfield were handed a walkover from Old Crescent in the game scheduled in Woodleigh Park. They will face Cork Constitution in the semi-final while Young Munster will travel up to Cashel on the other side of the draw.