Cork Con Retain Charity Cup Title

Playing into a strong wind in the opening half, Cork Constitution got off to a great start after just three minutes.

An initial break by full back Richard Lane was carried on by newcomer Cyprian Jouve and the former Tralee player sent Cronan Healy away for an early try.

Slowly, Highfield got back into he game and in a ten-minute spell before half-time were very unlucky not to score when former Cork hurler Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Paddy Ryan and Michael Cummins all went close to getting a try.

But Cork Con made sure of victory with two tries from out-half Darragh Lyons early in the second half.

A probing kick by Lane saw Highfield’s Joey Sheahan fail to clear and Cork Con skipper Evan Ryan broke forward before setting up Lyons for a run to the try-line. 

Lyons’ second try came on 58 minutes when he touched down after breaks by Tim Duklow and Rogan Gee. Lane converted for a 17-0 lead.

Three minutes later, a quick ball out the back-line saw Michael Keyes score the Temple Hill outfit’s fourth try and Lane again converted. Lane extended their lead with a drop goal nine minutes from time.

Highfield never gave up and kept attacking the Constitution line and on 76 minutes were rewarded when scrum half Cummins darted through for an unconverted try.

CORK CONSTITUTION: R Lane; M Keyes, C Jouve, E Ryan, C Healy; D Lyons, S Costigan; G Murray, P Kelleher, R Wilmot, P Dooley, B Nagle, R Gee, B Cuttriss, M Duklow.

Replacements used: M Gately for Murray (53 mins), B Noonan for Cuttriss (65), M Coughlan for Keyes (66), A Ross for Kelleher (73), C O’Mahony for Ryan (80).

HIGHFIELD: C O’Leary; L Dorgan, M Knowles, P Matson, D O’Sullivan, C Mahony, M Cummins; F Gately, C Hartnett, P Ryan, J Murphy, J Moloney, J Sheahan, M Power, M Dillane.

Replacements used: N O’Donovan for Moloney (18 mins), I Broderick for Sheahan (64), R Bogue for Ryan (66), C Bohane for O’Sullivan (70), P Cotter for Dorgan (73).

Referee: Dave O’Flynn (Munster)