Cork Con see off Young Munster in a 10-try AIL thriller

YOUNG MUNSTER fell to a 36-26 defeat in their final Energia All-Ireland League (AIL) regular season fixture to Cork Constitution at Tom Clifford Park this Saturday afternoon.

The Cookies came back from 24-0 down to lead heading into the final 20 minutes but Con came back to earn a 10-point victory. 

Gearóid Prendergast's side had already booked a semi-final spot before kick off and will now play top of the table Clontarf away in the last four clash next week.

Con got off to a flyer in the game with Aidan Moynihan going in for the first try inside two minutes after good work from Michael Hand. Moynihan added the extras to put Con 7-0 in front.

They were in for a second try soon after when Harry O'Riordan beat a couple of would be tackles to run in from 35 metres to put Con 12-0 clear.

Gerry Hurley then touched down for a third try on 26 minutes as a dominant Con pack drove Young Munster back over their own line.

Things got worse for the home side as the half drew to a close when a powerful lineout maul ended with Billy Scannell the man finishing the move off for the bonus point score and a 24-point lead.

Young Munster got back into the contest in added time of the first half with Luke Fitzgerald and Harry Fleming combining for the latter to score. Evan Cusack converted to leave the half time score at 24-7.

The same combination created a chance for Conor Phillips seven minutes into the second half and he shrugged off a couple of tackles to score their second try.

Munsters then made it a one score game with Conor Nesbitt and James Horrigan carries giving Phillips a bit of space and the left winger did brilliantly to touch down once again. A Cusack conversion left the score at 24-19.

The home side then got a fourth try with Phillips turning provider with a pass after another superb run to Liam Neilan. The back rower threw at outrageous dummy before diving over the line. Cusack's conversion then put Young Munster ahead for the first time.

However, it was a short lived advantage as a penalty try and a late Cathal O'Flaherty try saw Con earn the 10-point win at the end of an enthralling contest.

Scorers - Young Munster: Tries - Conor Phillips (2), Harry Fleming, Liam Neilan; Conversions - Evan Cusack (3).

Scorers - Cork Constitution: Tries - Aidan Moynihan, Harry O'Riordan, Gerry Hurley, Billy Scannell, Cathal O'Flaherty, Penalty try; Conversions - Aidan Moynihan (2)

YOUNG MUNSTER: Stephen Lyons; Conor O'Shaughnessy, Harry Fleming, Luke Fitzgerald, Conor Phillips; Evan Cuscak, Adam Maher; Mike Treacy, Mark O'Mara, Paul Allen; Craig Hannon, Sean Rigney; Ronan O'Sullivan, Conor Nesbitt, Bailey Faloon.

Replacements: Darragh Keogh, David Begley, James Horrigan, Liam Neilan, Jack Lyons, Shay McCarthy.

CORK CONSTITUTION: George Coomber; Michael Hand, Harry O'Riordan, Bruce Matthews, Billy Crowley; Aidan Moynihan, Gerry Hurley; Brendan Quinlan, Billy Scannell, Luke Masters; Sean Duffy, Eoin Quilter; Jack Kelleher, Ross O'Neill, David Hyland.

Replacements: Max Abbott, Alex Heaney, Cathal O'Flaherty, James Murphy, Louis Kahn, Daniel Hurley.

REFEREE: Andrew Cole (LAR)