Report | Highfield Secure First Munster Senior Challenge Cup Title In 58 Years

Highfield 19 – 17 Shannon

What a final ten minutes in the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup Final at Temple Hill, as Highfield struck with two late tries for a 19-17 victory and win the Cup for the third time and bridge a fifty-eight year gap since their last victory in 1968.

Shannon looked in control as they led 17-7 with Neil Cronin controlling matters at the base of the scrum, but Highfield’s determination was rewarded with a victory they will savour for a long time.

Highfield opened the scoring with a try from James Cronin after five minutes and Shane Buckley converted for a 7-0 lead.
Shannon opened their account with a penalty from Cillian O’Connor on twenty-nine minutes.

Pressure by Shannon was rewarded with a try by Luke Doyle and O’Connor converted to give Shannon an interval lead of 10-7.
Six minutes into the second half Alex Loutsou extended Shannon’s advantage with a try and O’Connor added the extras.

Highfield dominated the final quarter and laid siege to the Shannon line, but a gallant defence held firm.
With eight minutes remaining, Highfield’s efforts were rewarded as James Cronin barged over for his second try. Buckley’s conversion came back off the upright to leave Shannon five points ahead.

A great break by James Brugger sent winger Noah Patterson in at the corner to tie the scores and Buckley expertly converted to send the Highfield faithful into raptures.

Highfield: Jamie Shanahan (Captain); Eoin Dorgan, David McCarthy, Mark Dorgan, Noah Patterson; Shane Buckley, Chris Banon; James Cronin, Travis Coomey, Daragh Fitzgerald; Eoin Keating, Conor Kennelly; David O’Connell, Conor Galvin, Ryan Gordon.

Replacements: Robert Murphy, Corey Hanlon, Mark Fitzgerald, Con Butler, James Brugger, Liam McCarthy, Ben Murphy.

Shannon: Matthew Te Pou; Luke Doyle, Cian O’Halloran, Harry Long (Captain), Darren Gavin; Cillian O’Connor, Neil Cronin; Jamie Conway, Peter Dougan, Tony Cusack; Samson Alaimoana, Cian McCann; Alex Lautsou, Oisin Minogue, Neal Moylett.

Replacemnts: Adam Moloney, Ronan Ryan, Emmet Calvey, Lee Nicholas, Scott Gleeson, Rory McDermott, Joshua Costello.
Referee: Tomas O’Sullivan (MAR).

Clonmel won their first Senior trophy, when they defeated Old Crescent 38-8 in the final at Fethard Town Park. Mick Connellan put Clonmel ahead with a try after six minutes. Old crescent replied with a penalty, but tries from Andrew Daly and Connellan, both converted by Josef O’Connor gave Clonmel a 19-3 interval lead.

Crescent hit back with an unconverted try, but Clonmel were on top for the remainder of the game and two tries from Davey Coyne and one by O’Connor, two of which Connellan converted saw Clonmel take the silverware.