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Matchzine Munster Junior Cup Final

Garryowen F.C. V Cork Constitution F.C.

Clifford Park

15.00 pm Sunday 7th May 2013

Cork Constitution meet Garryowen at Clifford Park , Young Munster’s ground, on Sunday next, seeking their 19th Munster Junior Cup title, but it will be their 34th final appearance. The discrepancy in those numbers is due to the fact that Constitution lost the first nine finals that they contested between 1909 and 1946, and all to Limerick opposition.

Then, to everybody’s joy and relief, they defeated St Mary’s 11-0 at the Mardyke in 1949 to start the sequence of 18 Cup wins, the last of which was last season when Skibbereen were defeated 13-10 at Mus-grave Park. The 1949 team was captained by Peter Fitzgerald, who, though now living in Coleraine, still makes the Annual President’s Din-ner most years. And two of his colleagues on that team Jack Crowley and Austin Bradley – Michael’s father - are also still very much around.

Our opponents on Sunday next, Garryowen, need no introduction, as the club’s meet regularly in Senior competition. However, there have only been two Junior finals involving the clubs. The first in 1910 – the second year of the competition – was won 3-0 by Garryowen at the old Market’s Field venue in Limerick. And it was not until 1988 that the rivalry was renewed when Constitution reversed the result when winning the final 9-4 at Thomond Park. The team that won that Cup – our 11th is worth recalling:

Kenny Smith; Ian O’Leary (Richard Wallace), Ian Kingston, Peter O’Leary, Kevin Flanagan; Alan Byrne, Jerry O’Connor; Trevor Barry Capt., Rea Kennedy, Peter Good; Finian O’Driscoll, Aran Verling; Joe O’Brien, Barry Jones, Brian Fitzgerald.

Also played in campaign: Robert Kennedy, Stephen Hayes, Noel Mur-phy, Brian Humphries, Pat O’Donovan and Sham Coughlan.

Jerry O’Connor scored a try, converted by Kenny Smith, who also kicked a penalty.

Since then, the sides have met on four further occasions in recent years, with Constitution winning each:

2005 Quarter-final 23-13 aet Temple Hill

2006 3rd Rd 16-10 Temple Hill

2011 Quarter-final 45-23 Temple Hill

2012 Semi-final 22-18 Dooradoyle

Cork Constitution F.C.

Garryowen edged out Richmond in a thrilling Munster Junior Cup semi final tie at Richmond Park, thus denying Richmond the chance of emulating both Midleton, Clonakilty and Cashel who did the League and Cup double as well as winning a place in the All Ireland League in the same season.

At Temple Hill Constitution were too strong for Skibbereen run-ning out 25-3 winners. The home side took an early lead with a penalty from Brian Derham but David Shannon had Skibbereen level with a drop goal on thirty minutes. Tries either side of half time by Seamus Glynn and Michael Keyes put the game beyond the West Cork side. Eoin O’Donnell then scored a superb individual try and Derham converted and also added a penalty.

There is nothing in Munster Rugby to compare with a Con-Garryowen Cup match, so we look forward to a big support for the last match of the season, unless, of course it ends in a draw. In that event, there will be extra time, and a replay in Cork if not decided on the day.

Bateman Cup Final Victory For Cork Constitution

Senior Squad , Team Management & Club Officers pictured with Munster Senior Cup and Bateman Cup

The only trophy that has eluded Cork Constitution finally made it is way to Temple Hill as Cork Constitution lifted the Ulster Bank Bate-man Cup with a powerful display at Templeville

St. Mary’s College 19, Cork Constitution 24. A powerful first half performance that saw Constitution lead 21-9 at half time and a great second half defensive display proved too much for St Mary’s as Constitution ran out deserving winners.

Constitution took the game to Mary’s from the off and went ahead with a penalty from Johnny Holland after four minutes. Gavin Dunne had the home side level within minutes with a penalty from the touch-line.

Holland restored Constituitions advantage with a second penalty on fifteen minutes. Midway through the half winger Robert Clune got in for a try in the corner after good work by skipper Gerry Hurley and Cronan Healy to lead 11-3.

Dunne reduced the deficit on twenty five minutes with his second penalty.

Holland and Dunne exchanged penalties and two minutes before half time a great move by Constituition was rewarded when Scott Deasy ran in for their second try and Holland converted for a twelve point lead at the break.

Mary’s came out a different side in the second half and had Consti-tution on the back foot for long periods. Gareth Austen got in for a Mary’s try after forty eight minutes after sustained Mary’s pres-sure close to the Constituition’s line and Dunne converted.

Dunne was again on the scoreboard with a penalty after fifty five minutes to leave two between the sides.

Mary’s came in search of a winning score but Constituition with-stood everything the Dublin side had to offer and eventually lifted the siege as Holland dropped an excellent goal in injury time to wrap up the victory.

Cork Constitution: Darragh Lyons; Robert Clune, Scott Deasy, Alex Ryan, Cronan Healy; Johnny Holland, Gerry Hurley (capt); Bryan Carney, Andrew O'Driscoll, Chris Corkery; Brian Hayes, Joe McSwiney; Graeme Lawler, James Ryan, Cathal O'Flaherty. Replacements used: Dave O'Brien for Lawler , James Rochford for Carney , Niall O'Driscoll for A Ryan .

St. Mary's College: Gavin Dunne; Steve Toal-Lennon, Marcus O'Driscoll, Robbie Hudson, Darragh Fanning; Philip Brophy, Matt D'Arcy; Colm McMahon, Richie Sweeney (capt), Rob Sweeney; Ci-aran Ruddock, Jerry Sexton; Kevin Sheahan, Gareth Austen, Dar-ragh Keller. Replacements used: Conor Hogan for Lennon Arthur Lyons for Rob Sweeney , Stephen Bradshaw for Sexton , Dylan Fawcett for Richie Sweeney , Richie Sweeney for Keller , Mark Fallon for Aus-ten , Rob Sweeney for McMahon . Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)

Pacey wingers Rory O’Sullivan and Jack O’Sullivan scored some very important tries at times when given limited opportu-nities. Simon Barry at out half proved to be extremely influential with his kicking skills and abilities, which ensured a path to each final.

The J2 squad and management can be proud of the progression made on previ-ous seasons. The dedication and commit-ment shown by all of the squad was exem-plary. For 7 week-ends in a row there was an 11O’Clock curfew on Saturday nights which was observed by all.

Last weekend’s narrow defeat, which in essence sums up the season ‘close but not close enough’, may leave with a bitter taste with some, having just lost out (10-9) to Carrigaline in the J2 cup final in Musgrave Park.

However, hopefully this bitter taste may resonate into next season as a motivating factor, whereby lessons can be learnt and experience gained by this young squad to hopefully win some silverware next season.

The Club , Director of Rugby Jerry Holland and minor team management would like to thank and congratulate every player who played J2 this season, in particular to the dedication displayed.

A special thanks to Jack O’Riordan for his unquestionable support as team mascot, Peter O’Mahony for his lineout coaching and to Cillian O Connor for finally scoring a try!

Eddie Quinn

Close but not close enough’

It was a season of mixed emotions for this year’s minor team. With a new enthusiastic coaching team, led by Eric Tracey (Head coach), featuring Eoin Quinlan (Backs coach), Packy Derham (Forwards Coach) , Der O’Riordan (Manager) , Padraig Higgins (Selector) and Don Mullins (Selector and Head of Communications).

The J2 side reached three cup finals, and a Munster Semi final, how-ever failed to bring home silverware on each occasion. Overall, the J2 team, led by scrum half captain Kevin Minihan, displayed great rugby at times and illustrated great commitment throughout every game.

The pack, led by tight-head Eddie Quinn, dominated opposition packs they faced. In the line out veteran Cor-mac Fouey height and experience proved key, in the tight breakdowns which were contested by Dav Leung and Fergus Rowin their strength was essential throughout the season.

CORK CON FAMILY FUN DAY 2013

Family Day was held on Saturday 20th April and we were blessed with great weather. This year the President gener-ously agreed to having all the proceeds from the day donated to two local chari-ties: the Cork Association for Autism and Console (Suicide Awareness). The money donated will, in both cases, be used locally in the Cork area.

Festivities kicked-off with rugby for the U7, U8, U9 and U10 squads at 12 noon. The U9s played a Blitz to decide the bragging rights and destination of the impressive 'Stephen Long Memo-rial Trophy', kindly donated by the Long family and presented on the day by Ian Long.

Afterwards, all the boys were treated to their choice of burgers or hot-dogs, a variety of sweets from the tuck shop and slush-puppys and ice-cream from visiting stalls.

While the AIL game was played on the main-pitch the U11 and U12 squads played a blitz on the side and back pitches. The U11s played for one of the oldest pieces of sil-verware in the Cork Con trophy case - the 'Ned O'Connor Trophy' named after one of Con's most successful players and a former captain and President of the club. The trophy was presented on the day by Jim Barry on behalf of the O'Connor family.

When the AIL game finished, the U13s took to the main pitch. U13 Head Coach, Fred Casey has been coaching at under-age level in Con for a half-century (so he should know a thing-or-two by now!).

In recognition of his enormous contribution to juvenile rugby in Con, the club has commissioned a trophy to be called the 'Fred Casey Perpetual Trophy', to be played for annually at the U13 age level. Almost 60 players participated in an intense and hard-fought 7-aside tournament for the inaugural presentation of the trophy.

The Captains of the eight teams contesting the tournament are photographed with Fred.

Thanks again to Club President Finian O’Driscoll for kindly agreeing to provide a couple (or three) beers for the under-age coaches in recognition of all their hard-work during the season. In addition to the beers, they were all presented with a voucher for a sleep-in next Saturday! I know the parents and the boys will agree with me that their time and effort is much appreciated. Thanks you coaches.

A marvellous day was had by all and Martin O'Brien, club photographer, was on hand to capture the event for posterity. Of course, the day didn't just happen by itself and much thanks to Liz Farquhar and Carla O'Connell and the rest of the Events Committee for organising the food and festivi-ties.

There was a superb team of volunteers on-hand for the day, consisting of: head-chefs (Dom O'Connell, Brian McManagan, James Farquhar), commis-chefs (Jack O'Riordan, Michael Dunne, Dee O'Riordan), cash and security (Clodagh O'Sullivan, Pat Moynihan Julie Foley), shop-assistants (Noel Leo-nard and JoAnn Cain), artistic judge (Hope Fielding), purser (Neil Collins) and majordomo (Mick Boland). Many more helped in the planning of the event (including Phil O'Sullivan and John O'Mahony). Thank you all from the 600 very happy and satisfied customers!

Words Kevin Fielding

Photo’s Martin O‘Brien

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U 13 French Tour 2013

Cork Con U-13 – French Tour 2013 Introduction On Easter Saturday, 30th March 2013, 65 of our U-13’s along with ten very nervous coaches, embarked on the annual U-13 tour. This tour marks the end of the seven years most of the lads have been playing in the junior section of the club (since U-7s).

Next season, a fair number of them will start in rugby schools, while over 20 of them will continue into the Con Youth section. So it is the end of an era in many respects. However, the bonds forged on this tour will ensure that all players will continue in the ‘Con family’; will return to play with the club in the future; and most importantly, will remain lifelong friends.

Head Coach, Fred Casey, has been running this tour for 41 years at this stage and during the intervening years, he has coached quite a number of players who went on to become full Irish internationals (and Lions). Name like O’Gara, Stringer, Holland, O’Mahony and Zebo have all featured on previous U-13 tours. Given the level and quality of players in this group there could be a number of future internationals in this current batch.

(Entire group in Con, prior to departure)

The Tour On landing in France, early on the Sunday morning, we took a coach trip to the Normandy beaches; specifically, Omaha beach, the scene of incredible sacrifice by the American soldiers on D-Day. In advance of arriving, we showed the boys the opening scene from the movie ‘Saving Private Ryan’ to give them a sense of what had happened there.

Cork Constitution F.C.

This trip will resonate with the lads in years to come and we hope it will give them a sense of the sacrifices made by previous generations for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

(Entire group at American graveyard, Omaha beach)

After a long day of travel and a few food pit-stops along the way, we arrived at our (not quite 5 star) hotel and all the boys got an early night (Editors Note: some edits have been made to protect against possible litigation! Cases pending.).

On Monday, we woke to beautiful sunshine and it was straight into Rugby, with a series of games against Antony Metro, a feeder club to Racing Metro and against Frennes, another local Paris side.

Given the harsh cold weather that Paris had endured up to the week we arrived, the pitches were extremely hard. This did not deter the Con lads who, despite inferior physique, played outstanding running rugby.

The French players were bigger than their Irish opponents and won the upfront battle, particularly in the maul and ruck. However, with dogged tackling and no little panache, the Con lads gave their hosts an exhibition in ‘French flair’ and expansive, running rugby.

We are proud to report an overall win on a score (in games) of 3 – 1 to Con on the day. Afterwards, we were treated to great hospitality by our French hosts and exchanged some gifts and mementoes in the ‘Antony Metro’ clubhouse. The highlight was possibly Kevin Clarke’s speech in “French” thanking them for their hospitality.

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(Entire group including Antony Metro …. With chateau in background)

Tuesday was a rest day from rugby and we took a sightseeing tour – by coach and on foot -- around Paris. Notre Dame, The Louvre, Place de la Con-corde, the Eiffel Tower anf the Moulin Rouge were all included in the tour. We spent a few hours in and around the base of the Eiffel Tower and the best lunch of the tour was produced by the Coaches in the park adjoining the tower with ‘baguettes, jambon et fromage’.

(Entire group under Eiffel Tower while coaches prepare lunch)

Wednesday was our second rugby day but in the morning we took time out to do some shop-ping at a L-A-R-G-E Decathalon sports store.

The boys shopped for Ireland and we came away with all sorts of rugby and soccer jerseys, balls of all denominations and persua-sions -- and even a martial arts sword (a wooden one TG!!).

(Shopping for Ireland)

In the afternoon, we were hosted by Rugby Club Paris (RCP-15) which is a feeder club to Stade Francais. The venue was an astroturf pitch, specially designed and built for rugby. It was a welcome change from the rock hard underfoot conditions we experienced on Monday.

Playing on such a setting once again raised the quality of play by the Con lads. If we thought that the opposition on Monday were big, well the RCP-15 players were enormous! One was a full 6 foot … wide!

(Editors Note: some small white lies are included to help improve the story).

However this did not intimidate our guys and they produced the per-formances of their short careers to emerge victorious overall (3 games to 1) once again. This series of games was undoubtedly the highlight of the whole tour.

(Entire group after RCP 15 games)

Such was the quality of the all round play from everyone, the coaches agreed that it was impossible to nominate one individual for ‘L’homme de Match’.

Instead it was decided to ask the respective captains of the four teams to accept the ‘L’homme de Match’ on behalf of their entire team. Chapeau les lads!!

Later that evening, we took over a small Italian restaurant near the RCP-15 grounds for a victory dinner. It turned out to be the best meal of the tour, with ex-ceptional pizza and pasta fol-lowed by ice-creams.

During the meal our birthday-boy, Ray Mansfield, was toasted by all the tour party. And the waitress almost came home with us!

(Birthday boy Ray Mansfield & cake)

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Every morning we held an ‘Awards meeting’ where individual feats of strength or daring (or roguery!!) were recognised and rewarded by the entire group. The limited-edition, tour Pink T-Shirts that were given out to the boys for “exceptional endeavour” were much sought-after and became prized pos-sessions on tour.

(Jack Lester getting pink T-Shirt)

Thursday was another highlight with a trip to EuroDisney. The waiting times in the morning session was only around 15 minutes for the more popular rides. By the afternoon, waiting time were less than 5 minutes, so as a result the lads (and coaches) got numerous rides in.

Some of the lads had up to 12 rides on the more popular attractions such as Indiana Jones. It certainly was great value for money.

(EuroDisney)

That evening we ate together at Planet Hollywood in the EuroDisney complex. Highlight of the evening was one of the boys pretending it was his birthday to see if he could wangle a free ice-cream!

Instead, he was forced to stand on a chair while the entire restaurant sang ‘Happy Birthday’. Most embarrassing!!

An early start on the road was needed on Friday morning for the jour-ney to Roscoff. So all out of bed at 7am and on the coaches by 8am. After a day of travelling, shopping, eating and more travelling we ar-rived in Roscoff … still with 65 boys amazingly!!

We set sail at 8 pm and the initial part of the journey was ‘bumpy’. The rough seas and the fact that the lads were tired anyway after the week meant that an early night was had by all. But not before we had the end-of-tour ‘Kangaroo Court’.

For an hour and a half, the coaches held five court cases where several of the touring group were tried for a variety of tour offences -- both real and imagined!

(Kangaroo Court)

A large crowd of expectant Mums and Dads met the group at Con on Saturday morning for the welcome reunion and hugs!! And while the parents were no doubt relieved to have their boys back safe-and-sound, that relief was nothing compared to the relief on the coaches faces to be handing them back!! No doubt the lads have been regaling their parents with the events of the tour. But boys, please remember:

“WHAT GOES ON TOUR – STAYS ON TOUR!!”

Con U-13 Coaches for France Tour 2013 Fred Casey,Noel Leonard, Kevin Clarke, Dave Farrell, Conor Shalloe, Ger Collins, Noel Humphreys, Jack O’Connor, James O’Riordan and Kevin Fielding. Missing in body but not in spirit: Tom Cahill.

Finally

We have to acknowledge that all the lads were impeccably behaved and did themselves, their families and Cork Con proud for the entire duration of the trip. Sincerely, they were exceptional … every last one of them.

We hope it was a positive experience for them all and that the friend-ships forged, not just on the trip but since their first year at U-7, will stand them in good stead in the years ahead.

Thanks to all the coaches for putting in a HUGE effort into planning and running this tour. The comments back from the parents on the Facebook page are a good indication of the esteem in which they are all held after ‘Le ordeal’!

Ger Collins and Kevin Fielding

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Director of Rugby Letter to U 13’s April 2013 Boys and Parents,

This is a poignant time of the year as we prepare to say good-bye to some of our players for a few years as we 'loan' them to the rugby schools.

Roughly a third of our U13 squad will continue to play rugby in Con and hopefully compete for Munster trophies at under 15, 17 and 19 level. The balance will go to CBC and PBC, on-loan for a few years. We expect to see you all back here again -- this is YOUR club now. For life.

We have all come a long way since, as six and seven year-olds, you started playing here in Con in the 2006/2007 season. Re-member the old clubhouse? Remember the previous grumpy Director of Juvenile Rugby!? Remember the trip to Tralee and the Aquadome? Remember how the Toxic Twins got their name in a game against Midleton?

The trip to Waterpark and Gravity Park? Remember being coached by Rua Topoki the year he led the Munster haka? The Terenure weekend? The dirty jokes in the bus on the way back from Athlone? Great memories. Many joined along the way; some said goodbye. All are remembered. But it has been an enjoyable journey throughout.

If there is one message I would like to leave you with, it is this: please, please continue to play rugby and continue to en-joy this great sport. The benefits of playing are obvious and well understood: improving physical health, strengthening of character and building of friendships for life. But even ignor-ing those high-level benefits, consider these statistics (based on the Con under-age section over the past 50 years).

Approximately 20 of you will represent your schools at either Junior Cup or Senior Cup level.

Less than half of those will win a Munster JC or SC medal. Treasure them.

Another 20 of you will represent Con at youth level; per-haps emulating this year’s U19 team who won the South Mun-ster Cup last week.

Around 8 of you will make the Munster Clubs U15 cadets squad as representatives of Cork Con in two years time.

A similar number will make the Munster schools squad af-ter Junior Cup year.

Of this year's U-13 squad, more than half of you will rep-resent Con at adult rugby. Some will play at every level: sen-ior, junior, minor and U21.

Around 15 of those will win a prestigious trophy with Con, be it Munster Junior Cup, Munster Senior Cup, All Ireland League or Bateman Cup.

Slightly more than that will play Minor for Con ... And will enjoy the most amazing wins and share gut-wrenching losses. But because it is Con, there will be more wins than losses.

Less than six of you will play for Munster as a semi-professional player at academy or sub-academy level. We will all be rooting for you.

Three of you will play for the Ireland Club team as the pinnacle of an amazing amateur career. Perhaps you will emu-late Gerry Hurley and captain the side?

Three of you will be paid a serious amount of money to play rugby ... imagine that!

Probably two of you will play for Ireland as a full Interna-tional. But twice that number will represent Ireland at some level - schools, U20, club or A-level.

There is only a 1-in-10 chance that one of you will win a Lions jersey.

Finally two of you will become President of Cork Constitu-tion FC. We will all be there for the swearing in!

These predictions will not be 100% accurate ... But they won't be far wrong. Statistics don't lie.

So my question to you is this: are you going to be one of the guys mentioned above? Are you one of the guys who will go the whole way and make a career out of rugby? Will all the others in the group say "I played with him at under age ... And I dumped him on his ass in the final of the Fred Casey tourna-ment!!"

The only thing I can say with complete certainty is that, as of today, nobody knows who those guys will be. NOBODY. Ask Paul O'Connell, ask Doug Howlett, ask ROG, ask Fred Casey ... It's not the most talented that make it; it's the ones with the greatest perseverance. So if you are ever in a situation over the next few years where you are contemplating giving up rugby ... DON'T. Put in another week, another training ses-sion, one more season. Because you could be the guy who proves me wrong and delivers the Lions jersey on behalf of this years U-13 squad.

Enjoy your rugby ... and see you soon,

Kevin Fielding

Director of Juvenile Rugby

Cork Constitution FC

Tour Booklet sponsored by

Many Thanks to Don Mullins and Michael Galvin