Dineen And Holland Deny Cookies In Cork

Ivan Dineen touched down right at the death and out-half Johnny Holland brilliantly held his nerve to land the touchline conversion from the touchline, giving the Leesiders a gripping one-point victory.

It was cruel luck on the Cookies who had done well to forage into a 20-14 lead with the finish line in sight, with goal-kicking scrum half Brian Haugh again catching the eye.

Haugh landed five penalties in all in what was a terrific advert for Ulster Bank League rugby, watched by a vocal and passionate crowd at Temple Hill.

Munsters were leading 3-0 when the game burst into life just before half-time. With 34 minutes on the clock, home winger Cathal Quinn scooted in from the left for a superb individual try which Holland converted.

But the Limerick outfit, who pipped St. Mary’s last time out, snapped back to take an 8-3 lead in first half injury-time as strongly-built second row Sean Duggan forced his way over from close range.

Mike Prendergast’s men gained further momentum with well-struck penalties from Haugh after 49 and 51 minutes, moving them 14-7 clear.

Darragh Lyons and James Ryan did exceptionally well in the build-up to put centre Dineen through for a try on the hour mark for Constitution. Holland kicked the levelling conversion.

However, Haugh took centre stage once again, following up on sterling work from his pack to fire over two more penalties in the 74th and 78th minutes. The first penalty was a double blow for Constitution as flanker Brian O'Hara was sin-binned.

That really put it up to Cork Con who looked to be clinging on for a bonus point as they stared at their second defeat in three league games.

Somehow, Munster man Dineen wriggled free to score a last-gasp try in the left corner for Brian Walsh’s spirited side and Holland’s crucial conversion saw the Cookies overhauled.

Afterwards in the clubhouse, Johnny Brennan was on hand to present the Danaher Sheehan Memorial Cup to victorious Cork Con captain Gerry Hurley.

Referee: Sean Gallagher (IRFU)