In this issue AIL V Dolphin 1

Quiz Winners 2

Brian Fox 3

Under 15 Tour 4

Under Age News 5 The Constitution News from afar 6

Team Match Reports 7

Concession Scheme 9

Cheltenham Poster 9 February 2012 Volume 2, Issue 5 Summer Camp 9

Friday Night Schedule F.C. V Dolphin R.F.C. nd Templehill Friday 2 February 2012 19:30 Kick off for the Ulster Bank Friday Night Lights V Dolphin is at On Friday next Cork Constitution will play the return Ulster Bank 7:30 and the action starts from 5pm in the clubhouse and there is a special pre-match meal at 6.00pm. To reserve your spot now, ring John League fixture with Dolphin at Templehill under lights. We extend a warm welcome to their President, David Kirk, his committee, players O'Mahony or Fiona Burke in the office on 021-4291960 and supporters. And a special welcome to John Barry and his col- The action does not end once the final whistle goes. There will be live leagues from Bord Gais, today’s Match Sponsors. music in the clubhouse directly afterwards. The first meeting of the season between the clubs was under lights at Restricted Access To Grounds Musgrave Park in October. On that occasion Constitution held out for a 17-10 victory, despite a spirited second half comeback by Dol- Patrons will be aware that the Clubhouse phin. Since then both clubs have had mixed fortunes. Constitution Building project has commenced. Only limited have won seven and lost six, while Dolphin have won six and lost car park space will be available and on match seven. In their last outing, Constitution had the agony of losing by a days there will be no parking within the point at Clontarf, when a soft penalty try was the decisive score. The grounds, as the building compound area will be margins of defeat have been within one score in six of the seven de- railed off. The office and shop will be accessi- feats, but such is the competitive nature of this season’s league. ble and the bar will continue to operate.

Constitution are currently five points ahead of Dolphin in the league U 15 Final table, but eleven points behind leaders Clontarf after thirteen of the eighteen games. Meanwhile Dolphin overcame bottom side Old Bel- The Cork Constitution U 15 Team will pay Skibbereen in the final vedere 17-16 at Musgrave Park in their last outing, and in their previ- of the South Munster U15 League on Saturday March 3rd at High- ous game had a fine 12-8 win over title contenders St Mary’s . The field RFC at 1.30. Your support would be greatly appreciated. ‘Friday Night Lights' fixtures are hugely popular and we are hoping for a large crowd for what should be a very entertaining game as two Match Day Parking of the fiercest rivals in Irish Club rugby battle for local bragging rights. Please note until further notice there is No Parking in Templehill on Match Days. We request that match patrons respect our neighbours by not parking on the Six Nations Update double yellow lines outside local housing estates as this causes a traffic hazard. Congratulations to Peter O’Mahony who gained his first cap against Italy, thus becoming the club’s Fund Raising Target 39th international. A very proud moment for his fam- Cork Constitution has made very substantial progress in funding the new ily, the club and PBC. development. Between our own resources and generous funding from the Further congratulations to Ronan O’Gara who has become the most Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport the fund raising re- quired to complete the development is €156,000. capped Irish player with his 118th appearance last weekend . To date €66,000 has been pledged , a good start but still a long way to go. We hope our members will watch the RBS games in the Clubhouse as Details of our Tax Back scheme are outlined on page 2 the Bar will be open for all of games Page 1 Ta x Back UNDERAGE CHRISTMAS QUIZ

We all like to receive money back from the “Tax Man”. By using the tax breaks The prizes for the Euromedic Under Age Christmas Quiz were recently pre- under the Tax Back scheme all approved donations to the Club will increase the sented to the winners at a very enjoyable pre- match Lunch before the Ulster gross amount received by the Club. Bank League game against Blackrock.

Cork Constitution F.C. can claim tax back on your donation at no cost to you! The Club can claim tax back at a rate of up to 70% from the Revenue Commis- sioners on donations towards the cost of the clubhouse by individuals who pay PAYE. How does it work ?

This example is based on the Club receiving from a tax payer , paying tax at the higher rate of 41% , a cheque for €590 or a standing order of €59 per month for ten months commencing in March 2012

EXAMPLE:

Monthly Annual

PAYE tax payer contributes €59 per month €59 €590 James Scanlon U 12’s, Ciara O’Connor ,Luke O’ Donovan U9’s , Jack O’Riordan U13’s Club receive tax back at 41% €41 €410 Many thanks to Euromedic for their very generous sponsorship of the Under Total received by club €100 €1,000 Age Christmas Quiz

Christmas Quiz Winners €59 per month is worth €1,000 per annum to the Club. If standing orders are continued until September 2013 it would be worth €2,000 to the Club over the 2 years. Standing order forms are available in the clubhouse and standing orders can also be completed on line. The prizes for the Rochestown Park Christmas Quiz were also presented at the Lunch. What do you have to do?

All you we need to do is sign a short form in order for us to claim back the tax. If the tax relief is not claimed by Cork Constitution F.C. it stays with the taxman and is lost forever. All we need is your help to fill out the short form to make sure we can claim this tax back and put it to work building for the next generation.

Self-employed

EXAMPLE: Annual First Prize RPH €100 Voucher Mike Boland Second Prize RPH €50 Voucher Liam Hurley Second Prize RPH €30 Voucher Gordon Good Self-employed tax payer contributes €,1000 Club receives €1,000 Tax relief @ 41% €410 The highlight of the presentation was Liam Hurley entertaining the diners Net cost to contributor €590 with a selection of quick fire jokes in his acceptance speech .

Contribuitions can be made by installments i.e. 4 X €250 however all Many thanks to Rochestown Park Hotel for their very generous sponsorship contribuitions must be received in 2012 of the Christmas Quiz. A self-employed tax payer can pay the contribution to the Club gross and receive a tax write-off for this contribution in their tax return. Believe it or not

Can companies benefit from tax relief? Martin Johnson and Graham Henry both die and enter heaven. God takes If you are a company, treat your contribution as a normal business expense, de- Martin on a tour of heaven and ends up at a little two-bedroom bungalow ductible at the appropriate rate of corporation tax. with a faded English rugby banner hanging from the front porch. "This is Receipts your house, Martin," says God, "You're very lucky. Most people don't get Receipts will be issued for all donations. their own houses up here, you know." Martin looks at the house, then turns around and looks at the huge mansion on top of the hill. A massive, For further details contact multi-storey affair with white marble columns, balconies and attractive Brian Humphries, Ian O’Leary Finian O’Driscoll , Jack O’Sullivan, gardens, All Black banners line both sides of the footpath and a huge New Stephen Murphy, Pat Twomey , Don O’Riordan Noel Walsh, Pat O’Keeffe, Peter Good, Kevin Fielding Zealand flag hangs between the marble columns. "Thanks for the house, God," says Martin, "But let me ask you a question. How come I get this Match reports and the Ezine can be downloaded little two-bedroom bungalow and Graham gets a huge mansion with all from the Cork Constitution website those marble columns and things." God looks at him seriously for a mo- ment. "That's not Graham's house," God says. "That's my house." WWW.corkcon.ie Page 2 Getting to know Brian Fox Clubhouse Progress Report

A chartered Physiotherapist Brain joined Cork Con- stitution in 2007 and was a key member of the back MMD Construction recently began work on the construction of our room staff that guided the club to winning that elusive third AIL title in 2008 and the AIL League and Cup new clubhouse and associated works. Double in 2010 . Brian is responsible for management MMD have installed a new system of fencing that will help ensure that of physiotherapy services including on field and off field injury assessment and treatment , implementa- the construction works do not ruin the aesthetic aspect of the rugby tion of injury prevention measures and rehabilitation grounds and also help prevent unauthorised access to the sites. programs.

Building work started Name: Brian Fox with the demolition of Place of Birth: Leixlip, Co. Kildare the juvenile dressing Currently Residing: Rochestown rooms and the admini- Education: Kings College London & Trinity College, stration offices.

Occupation: Lead Physiotherapist at Blackrock Hall Primary Care Centre The site has been cleared and the first concrete Sportsperson Admire Most: Paul Galvin/Henry Shefflin pour for the foundations of the new clubhouse has taken place. Favourite Other Sport: Hurling Favourite team outside Cork Con: Liverpool FC As part of the new development our adminis- trator, Fiona Burke has moved to a tempo- Best Moment at Cork Con: AIB Cup Final 2010 rary office in the hall. Our phone numbers and Hobbies outside rugby: running, cycling, bad golf fax numbers remain unchanged. Three Things you can’t do without: Jellies, Skinny jeans, Pointy We hope to keep disruptions to a minimum during the construction shoes stage and we would also request members to obey all construction no- Pet Hates: Paying into Havana's, No pancakes on match day, Lent tices and avoid entering construction areas. Favourite T.V. Programme: Curb your Enthusiasm/The Wire We hope to have regular progress reports in the monthly newsletters . Favourite Film: Lost in Translation Favourite Actor / Actress: Bill Murray/Eva Mendes Who would play you in a film: Kenny Murphy Serge Blanco Person you would most like to meet: Larry David (Curb your Enthu- Man of the Match siasm/Seinfeld) The winner of the Serge Blanco Cork Constitution Man of the Match Best player on treatment table: Cutts for the Ulster Bank AIL match V Blackrock game was

Worst on treatment table: Sca since he got a contract! Phillip Donnellan

Favourite Food: Wings from the East Village Serge Blanco was arguably one of the best French full backs in the Sporting Event you'd most like to attend: El Clasico in Barcelona modern game of Rugby. In 1992, he transferred his number 15 and his name to this exclusive range of clothing for men and children.Serge Blanco Ire 59 St Best place you've visited: New York/ Barcelona Patrick Street, Cork You can also buy on line at www.sergeblanco.ie Three people you would invite to dinner and why; Eva Mendes to This award is kindly sponsored by John Mannix, Serge Blanco Ire see if we would work out only for living so far apart, Steve Jobs (RIP) to see what made him tick, Pat Wall (RIP) Nobel prize winner in sci- ence to be in the presence of a great. Guess the Score

The winner of the Eco Restaurant €50 Voucher for Guess the Score V Blackrock College was If you have any news item , event details or article you would like published The Cork Constitution or Matchzine please Finian O’Driscoll forward to Pat Twomey at [email protected] Located in the heart of Douglas, Eco is one of Corks most popu- All contributions are more then welcome especially since I lar restaurants. Since opening in 1996 Eco has become famous for am running out of jokes to fill the odd gap in the news letter. its great food and friendly staff. Eco features an exciting menu of new food ideas from around the world, all prepared with the Don’t Forget to follow Cork Constitution on Facebook and on our website finest local ingredients. www.corkcon.ie Pat Twomey Page 3 This award is kindly sponsored by Dave Halpin, U 15 Tour of Scotland U 15’s Advance to Final On Saturday Feb 18Th the Cork Con u 15’s On the 30Th March the Under 15’s will depart Cork Con at 04:30 Hrs beat Bantry 8-7 to progress to the final of the to Edinburgh for their annual tour. The tour party of 42 players and 8 South Munster U15 League final where they coaches are being hosted by North Berwick R.F.C and Forrester RFC . will pay Skibbereen on Saturday March 3rd at Highfield RFC.

Liam Dineen opened the scoring with a penalty for Con and after Skibereen took the lead with a converted try Conor Ryan scored a try after sustained pressure by the Con pack to clinch a hard fought and tightly contested game.

All support would be appreciated for the final on Saturday 3 March kickoff 1:30 at On Friday the tour party departs for Belfast Harbour where they board Highfield RFC to help the U15 boys re- main unbeaten in the competition and the 13.52 Stenna Line ferry to Cairnryan in Scotland for transfer to hopefully bring silverware back home to Edinburgh. Templehill. On Friday night the tour party travel to Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh where they are guests of Quiz Night Cork Con’s Michael Bradley and will attend the Friday 9 March 2012 RaboDirect Pro 12 Fixture v As part of their fund raising for their 2012 Tour . of Scotland the U 14/15’s are holding a quiz On Saturday the tour party play their first match of the tour against night on Friday 9 March 2012. North Berwick R.F.C at Recreation Park in East Lothian. Due to the size of the tour party they will play two games against North Berwick R.F.C . After the matches the tour party return to Edinburgh for an evening at leisure. Letters to the Editor

On Sunday the tour party travel to South Gyle for two games against Forrester RFC . After the matches the tour party will travel to the An Bainisteoir Fountain Park Centre for leisure activity . Dear Editor,

Fountain Park in Edinburgh is one of Scotland's May I first offer my sincere appreciation for your epic production , The Cork Constitu- biggest and most exciting entertainment & leisure tion, which helps me keep in touch with the fine club that I have a life long appreciation for. Keep up the good work1 destinations with cinemas, tenpin bowling a state I have just one question , in your January Edition you mentioned that my old friend Pat of the art climbing wall and thrilling go-karts. O’Keeffe had been appointed Bainisteoir of Blackrock Hurling Club. I have googled the After Fountain Park the tour party return to Edin- term (I try to keep up with modern technology) and all I could get was some drivel on burgh for an evening at leisure. Celebrity Football Bainisteoiri referring to George Hook , Glenda Gilson and Gillian Quinn which I do believe bears no relation to what a real Bainisteoir does for a club.

On Monday the party will Edinburgh I would appreciate if you or one of your readers could let me know what exactly are Castle followed by a Tour of Murray- the duties of a bainisteoir and is this different for hurling compared to football. field Stadium and end with an evening I am having a little lunch time soiree at my good friend Heston Blumenthal’s establish- walk around Edinburgh. ment , The Fat Duck , on the Saturday of the England Game and if any Cork Con mem- ber is over for the game and wishes to join us they are more than welcome , just men- On Tuesday the tour party transfers to Cairnryan for the ferry to Bel- tion my name to gain admittance to this fine three-Michelin-star restaurant. fast and are expected to arrive back in Cork Con at 0000 Hours. Many kind regards, Con Threpeller, A.C.F. Richard Cooper Bayswater St.,

Page 4 London

Underage Section News

Under 13 Easter Tour to Italy On Thursday the players will be going to an Adventure Park for most On the 9th of April the Under 13’s will depart Cork Airport on Flight of the day and that evening the entire tour party will be attending a EI0802 to Rome for the annual Easter Tour. The tour party of 70 are dinner in a Tuscany village where representatives of Tuscany Rugby being hosted by Tuscany Rugby and Vasari Rugby Arezzo in Central will attend and a local Mayor. Italy 50 minutes southeast of Florence and less than 2 hours northeast On Friday the tour party will depart Arezzo mid morning for Perugia of Rome. stopping off at Lake Trasimeno. In Perugia there will be three teams The tour will take in five cities from the Umbria region. The tour party will be hosted by Rugby Pe- Rome, Siena, Florence, and rugia before heading back to Arezzo that evening. Arezzo in Tuscany and Perugia After a busy week the players will relax on the Saturday morning and in Umbria. Although based in in the afternoon they will go swimming before a barbeque in Vasari Arezzo the three teams travel- Rugby Arezzo. The evening will ling will play 6 matches and an close with a movie back in the all day tournament. hotel in preparation for the last The under 13 coaches have been working hard since Christmas putting full day on tour and a rugby tour- the tour together and Tony O’Connor and Eoin Burke had a meeting nament in Vasari Rugby Arezzo. with Italian counterparts on the 23rd of February to confirm details of On Sunday three Con teams and the tour. teams from Tuscany and Umbria Resulting from the meeting the tour itinerary has been confirmed and will take part in a full day of Rugby the tour will commence when 58 players and 10 coaches and officers before a party in the club house depart Cork Airport for Rome’s Da Vinci Airport on EI0802 at 3.45 that evening. pm on Easter Monday 9th April. On Monday morning the tour On arrival in Rome the tour party will be joined by Mick and Adam party will depart Arezzo for Rome O’Connor who fly from Beirut on the same day. Mick a former coach where a day will be spent visiting of the group is now serving with the UN in the Middle East and Adam St. Peters Square and the Coli- a member of the squad for 6 years are flying in to join his friends for seum before departing Da Vinci on EI0803 at 8.30pm for home. the tour. The coaches are putting the finishing touches to the itinerary and have The group will depart Rome on 64 two fundraising events in the club on the 23rd and 30th of March. and 9 seater coaches for their hotel On the 23rd March there will be an Italian Wine Fare in the club in Arezzo, the base for the tour. commencing at 8pm. The 13’s coaches want all members to come The 9 seater is being provided by along and enjoy an evening with O’Donovan Wines and Classic Wines. Rapolona Rugby Club for the It promises to be a great night. coaches and officers and the 64 Finally on the 30th March the tour committee are organising a family seater will remain with the tour fun Bingo Night for both young and old...why not come along with party all week. members of the family to support both nights and have some fun in the On Tuesday the tour party will have a run around in Vasari Rugby process Tony O’Connor and Eoin Burke Arezzo and thereafter will head to Siena for the afternoon, to visit the famous Piazza del Campo, the town square, which is famous for host- ing the Palio horse race and anyone familiar with the Quantum of Sol- ace will have seen this at the start of the movie. Cork Constitution FC On the Wednesday, the players will Shop depart Arezzo for Florence where The shop stocks Cork Con Club Jer- three matches will take place with seys, Shorts, Socks, Hoodies, etc sup- two teams from Firenze Rugby Club plied by O'Neill's Sportswear and and one team from Cavalieri Prato 4ORM. Rugby Club. The tour party will be Club Members can avail of 10% discount when purchasing with Mem- hosted by Firenze RFC before heading bership Card. back to Arezzo that evening. Page 5 News from afar I learned from marvellous people at Con that the worldwide fellowship of Rugby is the greatest. Despite my Petersfield RFC loyalties, I still be- This season we introduced a new concept where we catch up people lieve that "Con" is up there among the finest Clubs in the world. Long who have been associated with Cork Constitution in the past and may that continue. who are now living far from our shores. To date we have had contri- butions from New Zealand and Dubai. I look forward to visiting Con before the end of this season.

We are honoured in this edition of The Cork Constitution to bring Regards to all. you news of two members who have been associated with the Club Cliff Fairley. for a combined total of 144 years , Cliff Fairley and Elizabeth Wilkie. Elizabeth Wilkie , currently residing in Texas, is the wife of Francis Cliff Fairley has been a member of Cork Constitution since 1955. A Wilkie , who was Club Captain in the season 1925-1926 large skilful second row Cliff played for the Minors, Juniors and had a Elizabeth’s grandson Kyle Hammerick recently dropped us a line to let few run outs for the Senior team. Cliff had a prodigious kick and won us know that she is still carrying Cork Con close to her heart and fol- a Junior Cup game for Con with a winning penalty from the half way lows the activities of the Club through our website. Elizabeth celebrated line with a few minutes remaining on the clock. Although Cliff left the her 102nd Birthday on the 31St January 2012 and Kyle kindly for- club in 1962 he continues to keep in touch and has been a staunch warded some pictures of Elizabeth and the family members that made it supporter of the Captains and Presidents Dinner for many a year. to town to help her celebrate her Birthday. Since he left Cork Con Cliff has been associated with Petersfield RFC as a player, Chairman, and President.

To the Members of Cork Constitution F.C.

Fresh out of college in Dublin, I joined Cork Con in 1955 and was immediately welcomed into the Minor XV under the friendly cap- taincy of Tom (Beecher) Lynch. That XV was full of characters such as Freddie O'Sullivan (Fearless), Dennis Calnan, Mick Cashin, Barry Murphy, Alan Woods, Milo Bohane Frank O'Connell ,Des Tierney and Michael O'Gorman to name but a few. Our claim to fame was winning the Minor League in 1957 a year in which Con won practi- cally every Cup and League competition they entered. To celebrate the successes of the 1957 season the club held an Awards Dinner at the Metropole Hotel.

The move to Temple Hill from the Mardyke in 1953 saw a great ex- All in Cork Constitution extend our very best wishes to Elizabeth and pansion of activities within the Club. I had the pleasure of being her family in Texas. asked to join the Social Committee under the delightful chairmanship of Albert Beasley and alongside such luminaries as Neddie Mur- If are a member living abroad or if you know a member who lives far phy, The Deacon, Michael Owens and others. We initiated Sunday away and would like to contribute please contact me at night dances in the then extended Clubhouse which proved very suc- [email protected] cessful. Pat Twomey

The thing that impressed me most as a young man in Con was the quality and involvement of the Alickadoo’s. I remember their enthusi- Pitchside Hoardings asm and involvement in every aspect of club life both on and off the Our Pitchside Hoardings are a valued source of income to the Club field. Wonderful men like Dan O'Connell. Noel Murphy Snr, Bomber and a number of spaces are available for the coming season. Donovan, Matty (The Prince) Murphy, John Tierney, Eddie Moran, Dr If you are interested in becoming a Hoarding Sponsor please contact Reggie Sutton, Pebbles Murphy, Flor O'Leary and many, many more - Sean O'Riordan or Fiona Burke at 021 4291960 or e-mail cork- all dedicated rugby men. I know that this tradition of involvement [email protected] after playing days are over continues strongly to this day. You have only to look at our Fixtures Handbook to see so many people in- volved in the running of Con

In 1962 I left the old Munster and Leinster Bank in Cork and moved Many Thanks to Martin O’Brien for provid- to London to work for an American Bank and stayed with them ing the photographs for the Cork Constitu- until retirement in the late 90s. I Joined Sutton and Epsom RFC and tion. later when the family moved out of London, I joined Petersfield RFC in Hampshire where Judy and I still live. I have been associated with Petersfield RFC as a player, committee man, Chairman and President since 1973. Page 6 Juniors qualify for quarter final Munster Junior Cup However, all that changed in the 29th minute when Galbally second row Jack Hedigan got on the end of a maul from a line out, to score a try, and put the Match reports by Stan Waldron. home team ahead. Kicker Guerin again missed the conversion kick. From then Cork Con FC J1 V the play went dramatically downhill. First Con #8 Alan Ross was sin-binned for not releasing, and a minute later scrum half Alex Ryan was similarly dismissed for Score: 17 - 6 (Con score given first) ‘careless use of h is arm’!! Date: 26/02/2012 Guerin again missed the resultant penalty. On the 40th minute a Galbally prop Cork Constitution overcame the challenge of Young Munster at Temple Hill forward was sin-binned, but O’Sullivan missed the penalty to leave the half time in a classic Munster Junior Cup 5th round tie. Rivalry between these clubs score at 5-3 to the home side. goes back many years, and while the final outcome was decisive in favour of the home side, the game was in the balance up to the final minutes. The ground conditions obviously affected the place kicking as Peter O’Sullivan missed another penalty in the 43rd minute, after Galbally had #6 Jack Hogan sin- The initial exchanges were tentative before Munster’s out half O’Leary binned. Shortly afterwards Rogan Gee was red-carded for an alleged dangerous kicked a penalty on 23 minutes for the lead. Peter O’Sullivan equalised for tackle, but the fourteen-man Constitution team then settled down and applied a Constitution on the half hour mark. strong period of pressure. They were rewarded with a penalty on 60 minutes The pace then began to quicken and that Peter O’Sullivan kicked for the lead. O’Leary regained the lead for the Limer- There were no further incidents in the final quarter as Galbally kicked repeatedly ick men with a second penalty on 38 min- to the left corner from where they attacked the line. However, Con’s defence utes. The Con forwards had the upper stood firm and improved discipline saw them through to the next round. hand at set piece play with locks O’Brien and Browne, together with Alan Ross Seniors narrowly lose away. outstanding, but were failing to get the February has proved a mixed bag for the senior team in the Ulster Bank Ail vital scores. League however one win from three games does not tell the full story as the The game was then held up as Con centre Cian team came very close to winning the two games they lost. The losing margin's McGovern sustained a dislocated elbow and had were one point against Clontarf and two points against Young Munster. These to be carefully removed from the pitch. In the were two very encouraging performances for the team as they were playing away ensuing play before half time, a player from each against two teams that were above them in the AIL League Table. side was sin-binned to add to the tension. And Cork Con FC 1st XV V Clontarf Sean Murphy missed a penalty for Con to leave his side trailing 3-6 at the break. Score: 9 - 10 (Con score given first) Date: 18/02/2012 In the second period, play went from end to end and side to side with nei- ther defence cracking, and penalty chances went a begging on both sides. Cork Constitution lost a great chance to close the gap with the leading sides Then in the 75th minute Con spurned a penalty opportunity in front of goal when they failed narrowly to repeat their first round win over Clontarf. And not and took the option to run. And from the second phase, out half Sean Mur- for the first time in this campaign, the game hinged on a controversial refereeing phy stepped his way over for a try. He converted for a 10-6 lead. decision in the 65th minute when a penalty try was awarded that gave the home side a crucial seven point lead. A couple of minutes later, Alex Ryan, now playing at centre, forced his way forward Playing against the strong downfield wind in the opening half, Constitution were from his own 22 metre line and eventually contesting well against the league leaders, and took the lead in the 27th minute set up Conor Desmond on the left wing with a penalty by Gerry Hurley. They continued to match Clontarf and held out for the clinching score. Ironically, Murphy until the 40th minute when Richard Lane equalised against his old team mates slotted the kick from the touchline, and with a penalty. Hurley missed a chance two minutes later to leave the sides tied Con were home and dry at 17-6. How- at the break. ever, they did have to endure a late Mun- When Brian Hayes was harshly sin-binned in the 55th minute for obstruction, it ster’s rally and ended with 13 players, proved to be a turning point as Clontarf pressed for a score. Con failed to clear having conceded two players to the sin their lines and when a resultant 5 metre scrum went down, the referee scurried bin. for the posts to indicate a penalty try. It was a gift-wrapped seven points for the In the quarter final Constitution will meet Kilfeacle at Temple Hill home side for very little effort. on Sunday 11th March. Despite the setback, Constitution attacked repeatedly, but did not always make Cork Con FC J1 V Galbally best use of the wind advantage. Gerry Hurley kicked penalties in the 70th and 77th minutes as Clontarf hung on, but the merit of the penalty try decision was Score: 6 - 5 (Con score given first) Date: 19/02/2012 the main talking point at the post match enquiry. Cork Constitution overcame Galbally after a major struggle at the County Ulster Bank League Div.1A Tipperary venue . It was a very disjointed cup tie and Constitution will be Cork Con FC 1st XV V Blackrock relieved to progress to the next round. Score: 43 - 6 (Con score given first) On a fine afternoon, but on a treacherously soft pitch, Constitution hit the Date: 11/02/2012 front with a penalty by Peter O’Sullivan after 10 minutes, despite missing one a few minutes earlier. Galbally’s kicker also missed a couple of shots at A superb second half display gave Cork Constitution a comfortable win over goal, but Constitution appeared to be getting to grips with Blackrock College at Temple Hill. Constitution missed a number of first half Page 7 the field conditions. chances from good approach play and only led 7-6 at halftime. Darragh Fitzpatrick opened the scoring quickly from right to left and Ivan Dineen made the opening for Niall O’Driscoll for Blackrock College with a first minute to slice through for the try. Johnny Holland converted to give his side a valuable penalty after Constitution mis-fielded lead at the break. from the kick off. Sean Scanlon scored a Staunton kicked his third penalty on 42 minutes to regain the lead. Mike Prender- fine 6th minute try to open Con’s account gast was again outstanding for Young Munster, but when he retired injured with after Quinn, Dineen and Holland all han- 10 minutes to go, it gave Constitution renewed hope. They pressed hard in the dled. Gerry Hurley kicked the conversion. final period, but to little avail in the end. Holland and Hurley both missed second Fitzpatrick kept Blackrock in the game with a 16th minute penalty, and that half penalty chances, as well as Scanlon’s drop goal attempts. was the score at the break. Junior 2 League – Semi final Constitution opened the second half with a su- Cork Con FC J2 V Dolphin perb try by , who finished under the posts after fine handling in turn by McSwiney, Score: 10 - 14 (Con score given first) Hayes, Fogarty and Dineen. Hurley