Garryowen beat Cork Con to win first Munster Senior Cup in six years

Tries from Cian Hurley, Nicky Greene and captain Brian Fitzgerald were crucial for Garryowen.

Garryowen’s Jack Daly is congratulated by team mate Jack Delaney. Picture: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Munster Senior Cup: Garryowen 22 Cork Constitution 7 

Garryowen renewed their love-affair with the Munster Senior Cup as they saw off from Cork Con at Thomond Park. Tries from Cian Hurley, Nicky Greene and captain Brian Fitzgerald were crucial, but it was arguably their defensive prowess that gave them the platform to the title.

It is a 40th ever crown for Garryowen, who last won this famous old cup in 2018. It also means that the silverware stays on Shannonside, after Young Munster’s three in a row. It is the first time since 2007 that the Cork outfit were defeated in a final.

Both these rugby powerhouses have dominated this competition. This was Con’s 53rd final appearance, while the now-Dooradoyle based Garryowen, certainly enjoyed their 67th appearance in 134 instalments.

The first real opening came off the back a Neil Cronin 50/22 on the quarter hour. His box kick from halfway gave them the platform to attack. After securing the lineout, the Limerick side worked the ball across the field. Daniel Hurley, however, denied Gordon Wood going over in the corner by holding up the winger.

This gave the Light Blues energy, and they found the opening score after 25 minutes. Pinning Con back inside their 22, they had to be patient before the door opened for Cian Hurley, who finished from close range. 

Garryowen’s Colm Hogan with Harry O'Riordan of Cork Constitution. Picture: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

John Staunton’s charges were much better at the ruck throughout but also didn’t allow Cork Con any room on the fringes to impose their game.

Concerned at the lack of energy and openings for his side, head coach Jonny Holland made two changes to his pack after just 32 minutes. Mark Donnelly and Matisee Lamarque D’Arrouzat were brought in, but the failure of Con to have any possession inside the opposition 22 would have been of huge concern for a side operating a division higher in the AIL.

Things improved further for Garryowen just before the interval as they opened up a 10-point lead. This time a penalty for offside gave Langan the easiest of kicks.

With the half-time instructions still ringing in their ears, the Cork side brought themselves back into contention with their first score within five minutes. After a sloppy lineout, they steadied and after a handful of carries, John Forde crossed beneath the posts. Rob Hedderman’s extras brought the gap down to three.

That was as good as it got, there was another gear for Garryowen.

Langan soon missed a close-range penalty, hitting the post. However, they made sure of the win as Nicky Greene crossed in the left corner after a well-executed scrum. There was further gloss, as captain Brian Fitzgerald picked a gap in the Con defence and went over for their third try.

Jack Daly was awarded the Man-of-the-Match for a typically dynamic display.

Scorers for Garryowen: Tries: C Hurley, N Greene, B Fitzgerald Cons: K Langan (2) Pen: K Langan.

Scorers for Cork Constitution: Try: J Forde Con: R Hedderman.

Garryowen: C Hogan; G Wood, B Fitzgerald (C), J Delaney, C Quilligan; K Langan, N Cronin; G Hadden, M Clein, O Kearney; C Hurley, K Seymour; J Ureta Saenz Pena, J Daly, D Byrne.

Replacements: D Fanning, D McCarthy, D Fitzgerald, S Rennison, J Keane, J Oliver, N Greene.

Cork Constitution: R Hedderman; R Jermyn, D Hurley, H O’Riordan, M Bowen; T A Mason, A Maher; B Quinlan, B Scannell, L Masters; S Duffy, J Forde; J Kelleher, R O’Sullivan, D Hyland (C).

Replacements: G Good, M Donnelly, C Connolly, K Nowak, M Lamarque D’Arrouzat, L Kahn, J Murphy.

Referee: George Clancy (MAR).