Domestic Season Review | Adult Rugby

It’s been another thrilling season for adult rugby throughout the province. We take a look back at the winners from the 2018/19 season, highlighting the stand-out moments and clubs who performed exceptionally across the province week in, week out. Senior Clubs Cork Constitution enjoyed a terrific season, securing a treble that included winning the Cork Charity Cup, the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup and the All Ireland League Division 1A title for a sixth time. Cork Con secured their first title with victory over UCC in the Cork Charity Cup final at Irish Independent Park before edging out Garryowen at Thomond Park to regain the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup in the 128^th final of the competition after the Christmas break. The Temple Hill side continued their impressive form in Division 1A of the AIL with a remarkable 15 wins and 12 try-scoring bonuses producing a record 73 points in the league phase overall. The table-toppers pushed past Dublin University in the semi-final of the competition to set-up a 1st v 2nd showdown with Clontarf in the final at the Aviva Stadium. Brian Hickey’s men went on to record a 28-13 victory over Clontarf with a crucial score from Munster’s Duncan Williams combining with tries from Munster Academy centre Shane Daly and Con’ wing Rob Jermyn. Aidan Moynihan added two conversions and three penalties to secure the club’s second title in three years.

Cork Constitution lift the All Ireland League Division 1A trophy.

Garryowen defeated City of Armagh in the Bateman Cup final to bring All Ireland silverware back to Limerick. The Light Blues got their hands on the Bateman Cup for the first time since 2012, as brothers Neil and Liam Cronin combined for three tries in their 45-21 win over first-time finalists City of Armagh at Templeville Road. Grand Slam-winning Ireland U20 and Munster Academy out-half Ben Healy kicked 13 points, nine of them contributing to Garryowen’s 24-7 lead at the break. Garryowen’s try scorers included Bryan Fitzgerald, Peadar Collins, Jamie Heuston, Munster’s Neil Cronin, Liam Cronin (2), with Healy adding five conversions and a penalty while Heuston slotted a conversion. Conan Doyle’s men also reached the final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup, while in Division 1A of the All Ireland League, they finished a commendable fifth and just outside the play-off places.

Garryowen celebrate with the Bateman Cup. 

UCC gained promotion to the top flight through the play-off route last season, and were pitted against Old Wesley in the Division 1A promotion/relegation play-off final this season. Brian Walsh’s students retained their 1A status with an impressive 41-19 victory over the Dublin side in the penultimate match of the AIL season at the Mardyke.

Notable victories for UCC this season included wins against Dublin University, Garryowen, Lansdowne, Shannon and Young Munster.

UCC retained their place in Division 1A of the AIL.

Highfield gained promotion to Division 1B of the All Ireland League after overcoming back-to-back second place finishes in recent seasons. The Woodleigh Park side recorded a 27-24 win over Cashel to top Division 2A and secure their place in the higher division for season 2019/20. Highfield’s Dan Healy, Timmy Ryan, Miah Cronin and Gavin O’Leary scored the tries in the decisive match with Shane O’Riordan converting two and adding a penalty.

Highfield gained promotion to Division 1B of the AIL. Photo: M. Lee Media 

Bruff reached the All Ireland League Division 2C play-off final but were edged out by an impressive Malahide outfit at Kilballyowen Park. After having made a major contribution to the All Ireland League over the last 19 years, Thomond were demoted from Division 2C. Junior Clubs Clonmel enjoyed a fantastic season, regaining the Junior Division 1 title with a win over defending champions Bandon to claim their fourth title in five years. Patrick O’Connor’s men will be playing in Division 2C of the All Ireland League next season following victory over Seapoint in the relegation play-off decider after a penalty in added time from Dylan Cadogan saw them gain senior status.

Clonmel won Junior Division 1 & achieved senior status. 

Highfield ended a 47-year wait to win the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup for the fifth time in dramatic extra time fashion at Irish Independent Park. Two minutes from the end of the second period of extra time, Niall Finn landed his fifth penalty to put the holders Cork Constitution back in front 23-20. From the restart, Highfield retained possession and worked the ball into the Con 22’ where they eventually won a penalty with the game two minutes in over time. Paddy O’Toole stepped up to level the scores and with it came the final whistle as the Woodleigh Park side had defeated Cork Con on the try count rule of three tries to one.

Highfield & Cork Con went head-to-head in a thrilling Junior Cup final. Photo: Steven Lynch

The Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Challenge Cup title went the way of Richmond who defeated Bandon in the final, while Clonakilty lifted the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Challenge Shield following victory over Cobh Pirates. Mallow topped the Junior Division 2 table to secure their place in the top division for next season, while Tralee won Junior Division 3. Dungarvan gained promotion to Division 2 of the Junior League as the club defeated Killarney in the promotional play-off final.

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Tralee won the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate with victory over Old Crescent and Ennis defeated Dunmanway to claim the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl. Women’s Rugby UL Bohemians were crowned All Ireland Cup champions for a record sixth time with victory over Blackrock at Ashbourne RFC. It was a tense final with Bohs’ breaking the deadlock courtesy of a Laura Sheehan’s try and a second-half effort from Aine Staunton. UL Bohs’ were also on course for the double and a record 14^th Women’s All Ireland League title after booking their place in the final against Railway Union. However, a dramatic 13-8 scoreline went the way of the first-time finalists Railway Union with the defending champions losing out this time around at Donnybrook. In the All Ireland Shield final, Tralee were narrowly defeated by Cooke.

UL Bohs celebrate winning the All Ireland Cup. 

Domestically, Shannon claimed the Munster Women’s Division 1 title with Tralee finishing as runners up. In the Munster Women’s Senior Cup final, UL Bohs’ overcame Thurles while Ballincollig defeated Shannon in the Division 1 Cup final and Richmond pushed past Bandon to secure the Women’s Bowl.

Munster Women came agonisingly close to retaining their Interpro Championship title. 

Having defeated Connacht and Ulster home and away respectively, the Munster Women’s side set-up a final meeting with Leinster in the Women’s Interprovincial Championship. Leinster regained the title with a dramatic 14-all draw as a result of their superior points difference over the defending champions.