Club Notes: Week Ending 17.02.13

This week’s Club Notes come from Cork Constitution F.C. and Young Munster R.F.C.

CORK CONSTITUTION FC

Clubhouse Official Opening

On Friday 8th of February the Club’s new facilities in Temple Hill were open against the backdrop of the Irish Clubs v the England Counties Ulster Bank Club International. The first time this match has left the capital and the first time since 1913 a full adult international was played in Cork.

As a rugby night out, this was one of the best in recent memory. a thrilling, action-packed encounter on the pitch between two hugely committed teams, and off it a landmark occasion for Cork Constitution FC as they opened their resplendent new clubhouse.

The President of the IRFU Billy Glynn cut the ribbon at the main entrance, assisted by Club President Finian O’Driscoll and two under 13’s Josh Clarke and Will Fielding.

Thereafter a photo took place with a number of photos with Club President Finian O’Driscoll, IRFU President Billy Glynn , the Lord Mayor John Buttimer, Bishop Buckley & Bishop Colton, Munster Branch President Stan Fuller, Noel Murphy, Donal Lenihan, Mick Daly, Brian Ludgate, Ian O’Leary , Peter O’Leary Charlie Murphy, Stephen Murphy, Greg Barrett, Colm Murphy Jack O’Sullivan, Pat O’Keeffe, Der O’Riordan and Brian Humphries.

It was back into the clubhouse and the main formalities of the evening. John O’Mahony introduced the Lord Mayor John Buttimer who gave a light hearted but warm speech about Cork Constitution and what they bring to sport and the community in Cork in general. He praised the club for their endeavors and contribution to the city and he wished the club every success in the future. A regular attendee at TAG Rugby he gave the room a laugh or two as he told stories about his own experiences in Temple Hill and the general understanding of the terminology of rugby.

Thereafter John introduced both Bishops who shared the blessing of the club before handing over to the President of the IRFU Billy Glynn.

IRFU President Billy Glynn gave a great speech and spoke about his fondness for Cork and how he admired Cork Con as a club. He spoke about the wonderful new clubhouse facilities and in particular our new pavilion (a term used in Cork), which generated some laughter. He spoke about what a great club Cork Con is and paid tribute to the officers and members of a club which is renowned for the contribution it has made to Munster and Irish rugby throughout its proud history and in doing so referenced the internationals on the wall behind him. He finished up by thanking Finian and the officers of the club for their warm welcome and wished the club all the best in the future.

The speeches concluded when Club President Finian O’Driscoll spoke and he thanked all who had turned up for the opening of our new clubhouse, he continued by talking the ethos of the club, volunteerism and the caliber of people who give freely of their services and time. He said these people will ensure that Cork Con will continue to serve players and the local community for another 120 years and stressed we are proud of our past but now focused on our future.

He then called on one of the esteemed members who has given so much to Munster, Ireland and the Lions Noel Murphy, to unveil a selection of Lion’s jersey’s which have been donated by the players from Cork Con who have represented the Lions to date.

Noel assisted by Kevin Clarke unveiled jerseys from himself, Tom Kieran, Donal Lenihan, Ronan O’Gara and Donncha O’Callaghan

Ulster Bank Club International
The match itself was a great game of rugby with the Ireland Club team celebrating a deserved 30-20 victory.

Stuart Morrow opened the scoring on 13 minutes with a runaway try after intercepting a Rory Teague pass on his own ten-meter line. His pace proved just too much for the retreating Scott Barrow, who was the intended recipient of Teague's wayward pass, and Craig Ronaldson duly added the conversion.

Teague cut the deficit by three with a penalty on 17 minutes, though Ronaldson, who finished the evening with a tally of six successful kicks out of seven, made it 10-3 three minutes later.

He found his range again to push the gap out to 10 soon after, but a fantastic try from England’s Nev Edwards, following on from good handling by Matt Hall and Scott Barrow, kept England within a score.

But Ireland grounded for a second time on the verge of half-time when good work by the pack yielded a chance for Ben Reilly to cross the line, Ronaldson adding the extras to make 20-8 at the midway point.

At half time Finian O’Driscoll and Billy Glynn partook in a ceremonial cutting of the ribbon in front of the stand to publically open the new facilities and were again assisted by Josh and Will.

Teams from Cork Con, Dolphin and Highfield under 9’s played in games to keep the crowd entertained during the half time interval.

The second half started and soon after with England scrum-half Matt Heeks in the bin, the Lansdowne out-half struck another penalty early in the second half, but after Ireland skipper Gerry Hurley was yellow carded six minutes later the game swung in England’s favour.

Seconds after Hurley departed, Heeks found a gap in the hosts' defensive line to touch down. Teague’s conversion was successful and four minutes after that Will Hurrell went over in the corner to make it 23-20.

Teague wasted a great chance to level the scores by skewing a straightforward penalty wide with 10 minutes to go, but after Ronaldson became the second Irish player sent to the bin, Ireland were forced to endure a raft of pressure in the final minutes.

They soaked up everything that came their way however, and sealed it with two additional minutes played when Slattery went over, Ronaldson again nailing the conversion.

Man of the match could easily have been awarded to a number of players, which included the entire back row, who were tremendous all the way, particularly Frank Cogan and Craig Ronaldson who kept Ireland ticking over with a tally of 15 points but on the night the President of the IRFU Billy Glynn gave the man of the match to Gerry Hurley for his tenacity, determination and strong leadership. He seemed to be everywhere on the night and his two relieving kicks when Ronaldson was in the bin secured the award.

Ireland Club: R Mullane (Shannon); T McCoy (Clontarf) (J Thompson 35 [Ballynahinch]), K Lett (Clontarf), S Morrow (Ballynahinch), D Fanning (St Mary's); C Ronaldson (Lansdowne) (B Keeshan 82 [Dolphin]), G Hurley (Cork Constitution) (S Cronin 82 [Clontarf]); C McMahon (St Mary's), G Slattery (Young Munster) (R Byrne 82 [UCD]), K Griffin (Shannon) (P O'Regan 70 [Old Belvedere]); E Kelly (UL Bohemians) (N Melbourne 60 [Young Munster]), B Reilly (Clontarf); W Ryan (UCC), D Kenny (UCD) (G Moore 60 [Malone]), F Cogan (Clontarf).

England Counties: P Hodgkinson; O Marchon (W Hurrell 54), J Adams, S Barrow, N Edwards; R Teague, M Heeks (L Barker 66); T Fidler (R Kalbraier 45), M Hall, M George (D Dickinson 64); Will Warden, J Inglis; Sam Shires (Ben West 37), Dave Allen, J Burton (Billy Johnson 45).

U21 South-Western Conference

Cork Con FC U21 V Shannon

Score: 17 – 0
Venue: Temple Hill
Date: 09/02/2013
Referee: F. Buttimer

Cork Constitution defeated Shannon in the U21 South Western Conference at Temple Hill on Saturday, but only after overcoming a stern rearguard defence by the visitors.

In fact, it took Constitution 62 minutes to get the first score on the board, despite having majority possession throughout. However, their attacking play was very limited, though credit to Shannon for making it as difficult as possible.

In the end it was No.8 Paul Derham who found the way to the line, for Brendan Monohan to add the conversion. By then Shannon had lost a few players and the scrums were not contested thereafter, which took a bit of sting out of the competition. Monohan kicked a penalty in the 75th minute for 10-0, and deep into injury time he added the conversion points to a try by Andrew Mintern.

Con Team:

D.McNamara; C.O’Halloran, S.Glynn, C.McGovern, S.Keohane; B.Monohan, P.O’Leary; J.Rochford, C.Scannell, C.Keane; D.O’Brien, M.O’Mahony; B.Fitzgerald, D.Nolan, P.Derham.

Con Subs:
P.O’Sullivan, R.Daly, Y.Browne, A.Mintern, S.Hartnett, L.O’Brien, R.McLaughlin.

Con Scorers:
P.Derham 1T; A.Mintern 1T; C.McGovern 1P2C.Score: 21 – 18

YOUNG MUNSTER RFC – Courtesy of Olivia O'Sullivan

Special 20-Year Anniversary Event

20 years ago this week, Young Munster won the All Ireland League in Lansdowne Road. The spirit of ’93 lives on… This Friday February 15th a special dinner will take place in the Greenhills Hotel celebrating the AIL winning team of 1993. Tickets €;35 from Fergal Deegan 086-2265692 or Michael O’Donoghue 087-7626163. Looking forward to a great night.

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Young Munster welcome Dolphin

The All-Ireland League resumes this Saturday as we face Dolphin at home. Our win in Dublin two weeks ago keeps us in contention near the top of the table so every point is crucial now. Please come out and support your team.

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Clubhouse open Sundays and available for functions

The clubhouse at Tom Clifford Park is open every Sunday with all pints just €;3.50. To enquire about having functions in the clubhouse contact Frank Corr 087-2901015.

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Fixtures

Saturday 16th February

AIL Div1A: Young Munster v Dolphin, 2.30 Tom Clifford Park
AIL U21 SW Conf: Buccaneers v Young Munster, 2.30 Dubarry Park

Sunday 17th February

Munster Seconds League: Young Munster V UL Bohs, 2.30 Tom Clifford Park

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Underage Fixtures

Sunday 17th February
U17 Friendly: UL/Bohs v Young Munster, Annacotty 11am
U15: Young Munster v Nenagh, St Enda’s TBC 11.45am
U14 League Semi Final: Young Munster v Ennis, Derryknockane 11.30am
U13: Young Munster v Nenagh, St Enda’s TBC 10.30am
U12 Blitz: Bohs v Young Munster, Annacotty 10am
U9 Blitz: Young Munster v Presentation & Old Crescent, Tom Clifford Park 10am
U8 Blitz: Bruff v Young Munster, Killballyowen 10.30am

Results from Sunday 10th February