A strong performance from City of Armagh was not enough to prevent Cork Constitution reaching the final of the Bateman Cup for the sixth year in a row. The Division 1A side squeezed through 13-20 in an exciting encounter at The Palace Grounds.
Cork Con exerted early pressure and opened the scoring after twelve minutes with a penalty from out-half Aidan Moynihan.
Armagh then stunned their senior opponents with the first try of the match on seventeen minutes. Armagh full-back Tim McNeice taking advantage of a mistake by the Cork defence to squeeze in for a try at the corner to take the score to Armagh 5 Cork 3..
Cork responded with a penalty on twenty five minutes from Moynihan to edge ahead 5 – 6.
Armagh were rewarded for some enterprising play with a second try on thirty-five minutes when winger, Robbie Faloon, touched down for the home team to lead 10 – 6.
However, Cork kicked a penalty into the corner on forty minutes and secured their first try following a catch and drive, Moynihan converted to bring the half time score to 10 – 13.
Three minutes into the second half Cork No.8 Luke Cahill broke through and raced in from 30 metres for their second converted try. The visitors now looked comfortable with a ten point cushion.
Armagh looked to reduce the margin but the Cork defence held firm limiting Armagh’s endeavours to a Cormac Fox penalty on fifty seven minutes.
The excitement built for the remainder of the match with Armagh pressing for a further score to tie the game but Cork defend heroically right to the final whistle.
Final score: City of Armagh 13 Cork Constitution 20.
Report and pictures courtesy of Ken Redpath, City of Armagh PRO.
