Young Munster Complete Double Over Cork Con

Young Munster came into the game four points ahead of Cork Con in the table, but the Leesiders will consider themselves a little unfortunate not to have picked up more than a losing bonus point from their visit to Limerick.

The home side dominated for most of this muddy affair but almost left the match points behind them as Constitution staged a late rally that alsmot paid off.

This game was not without controversy. After a knock on by a Cork Con player in the closing stages, referee David Wilkinson initially awarded a scrum to Young Munster. But having consulted with one of his assistants, he gave a penalty to Constitution which Johnny Holland failed to convert.

And there was yet more drama for Young Munster supporters to withstand as the visitors launch a late rally. They put together several phases of play in a bid to create a drop goal chance for Holland. They eventually succeeded but the out-half's effort went wide.

Two successful kicks from Willie Staunton inside 26 minutes had Munsters 6-0 in front. But, in one of their rare incursions inside the Young Munster 22, Cork Con's Niall O'Driscoll nipped in for his sixth try of the season which Holland converted.

An early second half penalty by Staunton proved to be the match-winning score in the end. At one stage in the second half, two former Garryowen half-backs, Staunton and Gerry Hurley, were in opposition after the latter replaced Duncan Williams for Cork Con.

The second period saw few passages of open play due to the conditions but the Limerick outfit hung on to complete a famous season's double over Constitution.

Young Munster's second league victory on the trot keeps them within striking distance of the leaders, sitting in third place just four points behind pacesetter St. Mary's.

The defeat puts quite a dent in Constitution's own title challenge – they lie fifth overall, 11 points off top spot, with Blackrock their visitors next weekend.

Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)