Rugby All-Ireland League Final - Old Belvedere 20 Cork Constitution 17:Old Belvedere created a little bit of history today as they narrowly overcame favourites Cork Constitution at Donnybrook to land their first Ulster Bank League Division 1 title.
It was a tense encounter but Old Belvedere were good value for their win as they outscored their opponents by three tries to one and became the first Leinster side to win since St Mary’s College in 2000.
It’s been quite a journey for the new champions, who only came up from Division 1B last season.
Domestic club rugby’s showpiece had a number of high profile spectators, not least Ireland coach Declan Kidney, Les Kiss, Gert Smal plus Leinster coach Joe Schmidt and fullback Isa Nacewa fresh from yesterday’s Heineken Cup semi-final win over Toulouse.
Cork went into the game as favourites after topping the standings and winning both league encounters between the two sides.
David Mongan scored the opening try of the game for Old Belvedere in the eighth minute but three penalties from Gerry Hurley gave Cork a 9-7 lead at the break.
Cork enjoyed the better territory and possession in the opening half and, although Stewart Maguire was yellow carded, Belvedere managed to prevent Brian Walsh's side getting over the whitewash.
John Kennedy crossed the line for Belvedere as did Sean Scanlon but both tries were unconverted. Scanlon’s score came just before the hour mark to give Cork a narrow 14-12 lead.
Replacement outhalf Conal Keane edged Belvedere back ahead and a second try from man-of-the-match Kennedy was enough to seal a memorable win.
Scorers:
Cork Constitution:Try: Sean Scanlon; Pens: Gerry Hurley 4
Old Belvedere: Tries: David Mongan, John Kennedy 2; Con: Andy Dunne; Pen: Conal Keane
CORK CONSTITUTION: Sean Scanlon; Richie Lane, Cyprien Jouve, Ivan Dineen, Simon Zebo; Scott Deasy, Gerry Hurley; Martin Gately, Denis Fogarty, Stephen Archer, Brian Hayes, Ian Nagle, Brendan Cuttriss, Billy Holland, Frank Cogan (capt). Replacements used: Robert Quinn for Fogarty (30 mins-half-time, blood sub), Duncan Williams for Jouve, Robert Quinn for Fogarty (both 43), Peter O'Mahony for Cuttriss (45)
OLD BELVEDERE: Daniel Riordan; Eddie Devitt, John Kennedy, Ben Woods, David Mongan; Andy Dunne (capt), Simon Keogh; Vinny Soden, David Gilchrist, Stewart Maguire, Richie Leyden, Ben Marshall, Jonathan Slattery, Jason Risdon, Leo Auva'a. Replacements used: Chris Keane for Woods (25-34 mins, blood sub), Ben Byrne Diaper for Slattery (33-40, temp), Conal Keane for Dunne, Chris Keane for Keogh, Kevin Buckley for Gilchrist (all 59), Dean Moore for Marshall (63).
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU)
