Temple Hill To Host Ulster Bank Bateman Cup Final

An IRFU representative oversaw a coin toss between the respective club Presidents to decide the venue for this season’s Bateman Cup final, and Cork Constitution have won the right to play the game on home soil.

This is the second year in the row that Temple Hill, the home ground of Cork Con, will host the cup decider. Last May, at the same venue, the Leesiders retained the trophy with a 19-6 win over UCD.

The 2014/15 Ulster Bank Bateman Cup final between Division 1A rivals Cork Constitution and Clontarf will take place at Temple Hill on Saturday, April 18. The game will kick off at 2.35pm, with live coverage on RTÉ 2.

Clontarf qualified for the final by beating Ballynahinch away, with out-half David Joyce starring in a 24-20 victory for Andy Wood’s men. The north Dubliners followed up, a week later, with an impressive 43-30 league win over Cork Con at Castle Avenue.

Constitution, who are fighting to join ‘Tarf in the Division 1A play-offs, reached the Bateman Cup final with a 36-25 semi-final dismissal of Buccaneers at Dubarry Park. Tries from Darragh Lyons and Alan Ross effectively sealed the result by the 62nd minute.

Clontarf’s most recent trip to Temple Hill, back in mid-November, ended in a 13-10 defeat. Flanker James Murphy’s late try proved decisive for Tom Tierney’s charges that day.