‘Underdogs’ Con bid to halt Lansdowne’s double tilt
CORK CONSTITUTION coach Brian Hickey says his side are “very much underdogs” heading into next Sunday’s Division 1A final, despite the fact that the defending champions are approaching their third successive decider.
Cork Con will renew rivalries with Lansdowne after defeating semi-final opponents Terenure College 22-15 at Lakelands Park. Classy out-half Tomas Quinlan impressed again with a 17-point tally from the tee, while Munster ‘A’ back-rower Evan Mintern, who was sprung from the bench, crossed for a second-half try.
The result sets up a repeat of the recent Bateman Cup final which Lansdowne won 32-12 at Temple Hill.
Con’s hopes of back-to-back All-Ireland doubles may be over, but they could still make history next weekend as they target a two in-a-row – something which has not been achieved in the league since Shannon did so in 2006.
“It’s great to be back in the final,” he said. “I’m very proud of the fact we got to the top four and are now back in the final.
TAME
“It was suggested that we were a bit tame (in the Bateman Cup final) and that hurt. I don’t think that gave credit to the performance of Lansdowne.
“We’re going to be very much underdogs. They’re a seriously good side, playing on their home patch (at the Aviva).”
Con leaked two tries to Terenure’s much-vaunted attack, as backs Robbie Carroll and Jake Swaine touched down in either half, but Hickey felt his charges did well to “limit Terenure’s opportunities, weather the storm and close out the game quite well”.
It was ’Nure’s second home semi-final defeat in four seasons, and a bitter pill to swallow given their fight to finish second in the table.
Con’s main injury concern for the final is experienced scrumhalf Gerry Hurley who suffered an injury in the warm-up on Saturday. Hickey says he has “a fighting chance”, but noted that Jason Higgins “played very well” against Terenure. Michael Bradley’s son Gary was brought onto the bench as the reserve No 9.
Meanwhile, four second-half tries fired Lansdowne into their first league final since 2015 with a 36-19 defeat of Garryowen.
Lightning-quick winger Adam Leavy started and finished the try-scoring, with the hosts adding a penalty try and efforts from Alan Bennie and Tyrone Moran.
Conan Doyle’s Light Blues deserved to be closer on the scoreboard, with brothers Neil and Liam Cronin combining for their only points, including the latter’s late try. It was still a fine season for the Munster Senior Cup champions given they were in relegation trouble 12 months ago.