Young Munster suffer Bateman Cup final heartbreak at hands of Terenure College

YOUNG Munster's bid to secure a second ever All-Ireland Bateman Cup final success came unstuck in a disappointing 22-15 final defeat to holders Terenure College at Lakelands on Saturday afternoon.

Munsters', who had beaten Terenure in the All-Ireland League at Greenfields in November, produced a resilient display throughout, despite losing a player to a red card in the 35th minute. 

Indeed, the three-in-a-row Munster Senior Cup winners, who were appearing in their second Bateman Cup final in three seasons, had led their hosts 15-10 four minutes into the second half.

It was home side Terenure College who enjoyed a 10-8 advantage at half-time. Former Young Munster and Munster capped winger Conor Phillips showed neat footwork to claim the game's opening try as early as the third minute for the Dubliners. Phillips played for the Clifford Park side in their 2022 Bateman Cup final defeat to Lansdowne.

Callum Smith's successful conversion made it 7-0 for last season's Leinster Senior Cup winners. Back came Young Munster, however, and out-half Shane O'Leary, who is moving to the Miami Sharks, landed a ninth minute penalty goal to make it 7-3.

A long range penalty from Smith then pushed the home side's lead out to seven points at 10-3.

After 'Nure picked up a yellow card, Munsters' hit back when a powerful maul from the Limerick side paved the way for Sean Rigney to dot down in the 29th minute to leave two points between the sides at the break.

However, Munsters' played the final 45 minutes of the decider with 14 players after back-row Fintan Coleman picked up a red card for a high tackle.

Munsters' started the second half impressively, despite being down a player and after another well-executed maul had earned excellent field position, a period of patient, accurate attacking play from the visitors deep inside the opposition '22 saw Quinn dot down from close range.

O'Leary's successful conversion helped the Limerick side into a five-point advantage at 15-10.

However, 'Nure hit back as a 52nd minute try from Jordan Coughlan hauled them level. The Dubliners then hit the front when when full-back Aran Egan dotted down with out-half Callum Smith adding the conversion.

Despite trailing by seven points and being down a player, resilient Munsters' finished the game strongly. 

However, inside centre Kegan Christian-Goss was judged to have been held up over the tryline in the 76th minute as Munsters' desperately fought to secure a precious try following a bout of concerted pressure. 

Terenure have become the first two-in-a-row Bateman Cup final winners since Cork Constitution in 2017.

Munsters, who famously won their only Bateman Cup back in 1928, went into the Christmas break on a four-match winning streak in the league, including a 13-6 win over Terenure at Tom Clifford Park. They are sixth in the AIL Division 1A table, two places behind the Dubliners.

Munsters' now switch their focus to their return game against Cork Constitution in the energia All-Ireland League at Temple Hill on Saturday next at 2.30pm.

SCORERS: Terenure College: Conor Phillips, Jordan Coughlan, Aran Egan try each, Callum Smith two cons, pen. Young Munster: Sean Rigney, Ruadhan Quinn try each, Shane O'Leary pen, con.

TERENURE COLLEGE: Aran Egan; Adam La Grue, Colm de Buitléar, Peter Sylvester, Conor Phillips; Callum Smith, Alan Bennie; Campbell Classon, Levi Vaughan, Adam Tuite, Harrison Brewer (capt), Matthew Caffrey, Adam Melia, Jim White, Jordan Coghlan. Replacements: Tom Stewart, Conan O’Donnell, Conor McCormack, Mike Murphy, Tom Coghlan, Stephen O’Neill, Caolan Dooley, Craig Adams.

YOUNG MUNSTER: Aidan Shortall; Shay McCarthy, Harry Fleming, Kegan Christian-Goss, Oisin Pepper; Shane O’Leary, Jack Lyons; David Begley, Stephen McLoughlin, Keynan Knox, Tom Goggin, Sean Rigney, Alan Kennedy (capt), Ruadhan Quinn, Fintan Coleman. Replacements: Chris Moore, Harrison Allan, Conor Bartley, John Foley, Donnchadh O’Callaghan, Cian Casey, James O’Brien, James Horrigan.

REFEREE: Jonny Erskine (IRFU)