Bandon Win First Junior Cup Title

There were great scenes of joy at Thomond Park as Bandon lifted the trophy for the first time and denied holders Young Munster their ninth title after a27-14 victory in what was a thrilling final and a credit to Munster Junior Rugby.

Bandon who won the Senior Cup back in 1886 have now joined the list of Senior and Junior Cup winners.

Both sides played an expansive game and Bandon took the lead after eight minutes with a try from winger Christian Mulcahy and Kerry Desmond converted from the sideline.

A Desmond penalty made it 10-0 and on thirty two minutes skipper Tom Ferguson got in for their second try and Desmond converted.

Back came Munster’s and two tries from Gary Fitzgerald and Tom McHale converted by Paul Downes made it 17-14 at half time.

Desmond kicked a penalty nine minutes into the second half to make it 20-14.

With the game swinging from one end to the other Garth Burton scored Bandon’s third try in the final minute of added time and Desmond converted to give the Old Chapel outfit an historic 13 point victory.

Young Munster: J Lyons; T McHale, C O’Hanlon, C Clohessy, M Vaughan; P Downes, G Fitzgerald; D Begley, M O’Mara, P Allen; A McCloskey, M Madden; K Madden, E Mundu, T Goggin.

Replacements: J Burke, C Bartley, S Rennison, J Fehilly, J O’Connor.

Bandon: O Crowley; C Mulcahy, G O’Leary, K Desmond, G Crowley; A Morrissey, S Mogford; C Jackson, A Slattery, T Crowley; D Swithenbank, E Phelan; G Burton, M Beecher, T Ferguson.

Replacements: S Kingston, M Murphy. JP Lucey, M Bateman, K Lucey.

Referee: T O’Donoghue (MAR).