Report | Cork Con Secure 30th Munster Senior Challenge Cup Title

Cork Constitution defeated Young Munster 24-17 in the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup final at Irish Independent Park tonight to claim their 30th competition title.

Munster Academy man Seán French struck two successful penalties from distance within the first quarter to give Cork Con a 6-0 lead.

Young Munster’s Evan Cusack responded with a penalty of his own soon after before French secured a third penalty to edge his side further in front.

It was Cork Con who then turned possession into points with a try from John Sutton, converted by Gerry Hurley in the 34th minute.

Half-time: Young Munster 3-16 Cork Constitution

The Temple Hill side extended their lead within minutes after the interval, JJ O’Neill gathering a ball to brilliantly dart through the Young Munster defence and score a fantastic individual effort.

Young Munster then responded after a period of sustained pressure in the opposition 22, Captain Alan Kennedy bustling his way over the line before Cusack nailed a tricky conversion from the right.

The Cookies continued to dominate possession in the closing stages and with Conor Bartley crashing over and Cusack converting with five minutes to go, a comeback looked possible for the Limerick side.

However, a final penalty awarded to Cork Con resulted in Hurley pushing his side closer to the trophy lift.

Full-time: Young Munster 17-24 Cork Constitution

Young Munster RFC: Alan Tynan; Craig O’Hanlon, Luke Fitzgerald, Harry Fleming, Keelan Stephenson; Evan Cusack, Jack Lyons; David Begley, Mark O’Mara, Conor Bartley, Sean Rigney, Alan Kennedy (C), John Foley, Conor Mitchell, Jordan Stewart.

Replacements: Josh Wycherely, Paul Allen, Fintan Coleman, Derek Corcoran, Jason Kiely, Charlie O’Doherty, Tom Goggin.

Cork Constitution FC: Seán French; JJ O’Neill, Alex McHenry, Niall Kenneally (C), Rob Jermyn; Gerry Hurley, Duncan Williams; Gavin Duffy, John Sutton, Dylan Murphy, Brian Hayes, Sean Duffy, Joe McSwiney, Ross O’Neill, Dave Hyland.

Replacements: Vincent O’Brien, Luke Masters, Ger Sweeney, Cathal O’Flaherty, James Murphy, Ryan Foley, Jack Costigan.

Referee: Joy Neville