Shannon, Garryowen and Young Munster will join Highfield in the semi-finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup after today’s games. Garryowen had a comfortable win over Old Crescent in Dooradoyle and Shannon had to battle hard for their victory over UL Bohemian. Semi Finals to be played week ending 5th December and the final is to be played week ending 12th December.
The most significant result was Young Munster’s home win over holders Cork Constitution, a win that gave the black and ambers some consolation for their loss in the final to the same opposition last season. In the McInerney Cup Ardscoil Ris went down narrowly to Presentation and Thomond came away with a victory against Old Crescent in Rosbrien.
Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup quarter-finals:
Garryowen 41, Old Crescent 29:
A high scoring game in Dooradoyle today but it was the light blues who advance with plenty to spare. On the scoresheet for the winners were Jamie Heuston who scored a brace of tries and one each from Colm Quilligan, Jack Delaney and Cian Huxford. A penalty try and three penalties and a conversion from Conor Hayes also contributed to the Garryowen tally which saw them lead 22-10 at the break.
There was little between the sides in the opening half and Crescent were well in touch at 22-10 at the short whistle. Scorers for the visitors were Dan Hurley, Jack O’Mahony and Kevin Doyle while Ronan Reynolds also dotted down before the final whistle. Jack O’Mahony’s accurate kicking from the tee secured the rest of the points.
Shannon 23, UL Bohemian 15:
Bohs were just two points adrift of their more fancied rivals at half time and trailed by a 12-10 margin. A Paul Clancy try, converted by Harry Byrne who also kicked a penalty, contributed to the Red Robins tally but a well taken try by Kelvin Brown edged Shannon ahead.
The Parish boys increased their lead in the second period with speedy winger Ikem going over and they sealed their ticket to the semi-final when John Hayes (no, not a return to action for ‘the Bull’) got over for a try and John O’Sullivan kicked the conversion. Sean Cremin added a try for UL Bohs near the end but they failed to add to their points in the latter stages.
Young Munster 27, Cork Constitution 17:
After losing to the same opposition last season in the decider of this trophy this was a sweet victory for ‘Munsters’. They played some controlled and slick rugby throughout and fully deserved their victory. Out-half Evan Cusack was again influential and playing against the wind the home side were full value for their 20-5 lead. The expected second half onslaught from the Cork side never materialised and Young Munster will now be favourites to go the distance in this historic competition this season. A penalty from Cusack set the trend for this win and tries from Harry Flemming and Mark O’Meara helped Young Munster into an early 15-0 lead. ‘Con’ replied with an unconverted try but a third try by the home side saw them go in at the break with a 20-5 advantage.
A hugely enjoyable and highly competitive cup tie finished with both sides adding to their scores but there was no denying that the best side won on this occasion.
McInerney Cup:
Ardscoil Ris 16, Presentation 21:
Both sides saw rare competitive action today but it was ‘Pres’ who just shaded this very close cup tie. They led 7-3 after ten minutes of the game, Lyons getting over for their try. Ardscoil responded well and led 13-10 and the sides were level at 13-13 going into the break. A try for Presentation pushed them 18-13 in front and with both teams trading penalties in the closing stages, it was the Rathuard side that held on for victory.
Old Crescent 13, Thomond 18:
In perfect conditions and on the plush Rosbrien surface Thomond just edged out Crescent in a most entertaining 80 minutes. Two early penalties from Eoghan Sherlock saw Thomond go into an early lead. Crescent replied with a penalty but a Jack Kingston try saw the visitors extend their lead to 13-3 at the break. The second half was equally close with Crescent reducing the lead to 13-6 from a penalty but a second Thomond try, this time from Shane Gavin, increased the lead to 18-6. Crescent finished strongly and they got over for a converted try but they failed to add to their tally despite strong pressure.
Transfield Cup
Newcastle West 59, Ennis 19
After keeping pace with their more fancied rivals in the opening 40 minutes today, Ennis ran out of ideas and paid the price. You cannot take your foot off the pedal against a team like Newcastle West and while the County Clare side scored a second half try they were completely outclassed before the final whistle. It was level at 12-12 at the break with Brian O’Sullivan and Dave Foley getting tries for the ‘West’ and Shane Airey kicking a conversion. But it was all one-way traffic in the second 40 minutes with Newcastle running in tries from Michael Bourke, Alex O’Halloran, John Walsh, Shane Airey, Donal O’Sullivan and a brace from Cian Tierney. The accurate kicking of Sean Herlihy saw 12 more points added to the home tally from six conversions.
Despite the margin of defeat Ennis must be credited with a spirited performance, particularly in the opening half, but they were no match for a much stronger side on this occasion and the concession of 47 second half points tells its own story.
Thomond 33, UL Bohemian 10
Thomond got the first score of Friday night’s game in Liam Fitzgerald Park when Adam Guerin slotted over a penalty kick to put his side 3-0 in front. The home side were down to 14 men with 11 minutes played, Evan Sheehan sent to the sin-bin for persistent killing of the ball close to the line, but Bohs could not make the extra yards. Before the water break Thomond doubled their lead on 22 minutes with Adam Guerin again accurate with the boot and their six point advantage was well deserved on the run of play.
With 32 minutes played Bohs got their first score. Following good work at the lineout, the pack mauled forward and Joe Bennett got over for the touchdown. The conversion was good from Mike Mullally and the visitors went into a surprise lead at 6-7. The latter player got an opportunity to push the lead to a further three points before the break and his kick was accurate as Bohs now led by ten points to five coming up to half time. The royal blues got a chance to reduce the lead on the whistle but this time Adam Guerin failed to find the target.
Going into the second half with a four point advantage, UL Bohemians did not want to concede the first score but when they lost a prop to the bin, Adam Guerin pulled their lead back to a single point soon after the restart with a penalty kick. The Thomond out-half then put his side 12-10 in front with his fourth successful kick at the posts. The home had the upper hand and when good work from Richie Ryan and John Sheehan opened up space for Warren Kelly to go over, converted by Guerin, the home side were on their way to the next round with a 19-10 lead. It was 26-10 going into the final stages, John Sheehan winning the race for a well placed kick into space and once again Guerin landed the difficult conversion.
Thomond finished in style, Warren Kelly getting his second try, smartly out-foxing the Bohs defence to go in under the posts from a five metre scrum and Adam Guerin added the extras for an impressive 33-10 victory. This was a good performance from the Thomondgate outfit and it will take a good side to deprive them of lifting the Transfield Cup this season.
Thomond: D O’Brien; L Costelloe, W Kelly, R Ryan, E O’Connor; A Guerin, A Rice; N Clancy, D Radcliffe, J O’Shea; C Radcliffe, C McMahon; E Sheehan, J Sheehan, R Ahern.
BOI Munster Senior Cup:
UCC 15, Highfield 32.
In the Mardyke in Cork on Friday night Highfield had an impressive victory over UCC in the quarter final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup. The College led 8-6 after 17 minutes but that was as good as it got for them. Highfield ran in three tries to lead 8-25 at the break. Another converted try in the second half sealed the win while UCC’s only reply was a converted try on 66 minutes.
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