Young Munster edged out by Cork Constitution in high octane All-Ireland League clash

YOUNG Munster came off second best in their All-Ireland League Division 1A clash with Cork Constitution on a 29-26 scoreline at Tom Clifford Park.

Ger Slattery’s charges led by nine points 13 minutes into the second half, but were undone by 12 unanswered points by Con ultimately decided the game with the home side down to 14 men.

Hibert Gilvarry got the scoring underway after just four minutes. The right winger gathered a loose ball and took off, beating three Con defenders before touching down in the corner.

Con were soon back on level terms after Peter Hyland got over following an excellent initial break by Sean Condon. Moynihan added the extras to make the score 7-5.

Moynihan extended the Con lead to five points in the 26th minute with a penalty but Munsters replied with Gilvarry once again to the fore.

Shane O’Leary put Munsters deep into Con territory with a penalty to touch. Evan O’Connell won the resultant lineout with Bailey Faloon going close initially.

The ball was then moved to the left with Luke McCready and Kelvin Langan combining to put Gilvarry through for an excellent score. O’Leary nailed the conversion to put Young Munster back in front.

However, it was Con that had the last saw in an exhilarating first half after Moynihan, Rob Hedderman and Condon opened up the home defence for Eoghan Smyth to dart over. Moynihan’s conversion left the half time score at 17-12 in Cons’ favour.

Munsters made an impressive start to the second half and crossed for a third try on 44 minutes.

The home side were camped on the Con line for all of three minutes before Alan Kennedy finally broke the Con defiance for a try that O’Leary converted.

Gilvarry completed his hat-trick soon after when he finished a sensational team move afte Shay McCarthy’s initial break. O’Leary added the extras to put Munsters 26-17 clear.

However, the game changed on its head when David Begley was sin-binned for a high tackle on 55 minutes.

Moynihan took full advantage with a try of his own and then Smyth got in for a second try that proved to be the winner. Adam Maher and Matthew Bowen combined to open Munsters up with Smyth ghosting in from 30 metres.

Moynihan’s successful conversion attempt proved to be the final score with Con holding off a late Munsters surge to earn a three-point victory.

SCORERS: Young Munster: Tries: Hubert Gilvarry (3), Alan Kennedy; Cons: Shane O’Leary (3). Cork Constitution: Eoghan Smyth (2), Peter Hyland, Aidan Moynihan; Cons: Aidan Moynihan (3); Pen: Aidan Moynihan.

YOUNG MUNSTER: Shay McCarthy; Hubert Gilvarry, Shane O’Leary, Luke McCready; Alex Flanagan-Smith; Kelvin Langan, John Poland; Josh Wycherly, Liam McMahon, Conor Bartley; Oran O’Reilly, Evan O’Connell; Alan Kennedy, Ajae Hanson, Bailey Faloon. Replacements: Stephen McLoughlin, Christian Foley, David Begley, Leo Langbridge, Jake O’Riordan, Harry Langbridge.

CORK CONSTITUTION: Rob Hedderman; Sean Condon, Sean French, Eoghan Smyth, Matthew Bowen; Aidan Moynihan, Adam Maher; Mark Donnelly, Billy Scannell, Luke Masters; Michael Foy, Cian Barry; David Hyland, Peter Hyland, Jack Kelleher. Replacements: Danny Sheehan, David Good, Mark Skelly, Richard Thompson, Ronan Byrd, Dylan Hicks.

REFEREE: Keane Davison (USFR).