The Corkman, Thursday April 30 2009
PAUL TWOMEY CUP FINAL Muskerry 43 Carrigaline 10
MUSKERRY captured the Paul Twomey Cup thanks to an emphatic victory 4310 over Carrigaline in Sunday's final at Musgrave Park. The Ballyanly team were on song registering seven tries in a scintillating display of attacking rugby.
The opening stages of the encounter gave little indication of what was to follow. Carrigaline were fast out of the blocks with a try in the second minute from scrum half John Tait. The lead was soon cancelled out when centre Liam Donovan sprinted home to touch down. Denis O'Sullivan got his name on score sheet with Muskerry's second try, which Darragh Masterson converted. Masterson then set up Mark Healy for a third five pointer, and stretch Muskerry's lead to 17-5 at the break.
Muskerry began the second half with all guns blazing. Within a minute of the restart winger Eoin Keohane raced home and Masterson applied the extras. Carrigaline had no answer to the mid cork's team swashbuckling rugby. O'Sullivan grabbed his second try of the day – once again Masterson converted. With the game in the bag, Muskerry coach Mick O'Connell made a number of substitutions. Eoin Corcoran made an immediate impact by scoring an opportunist try.
Carrigaline battled gamely and it was no more than they deserved when Conor Corcoran scored in the corner with ten minutes remaining. But, the last try went to open side flanker Dan Horgan, who sprinted from half way to score under the posts. Masterson's subsequent conversion completed the scoring. Best on the day for the winners included Martin Muldoon, Shane Kennedy, Dave Kelleher, Liam O'Donovan, Dennis O'Sullivan, Mark Healy and Darragh Masterson.
Coach O'Connell was rich in his praise of his charges, saying "I am delighted for the lads. It has been a long season. It was great to finish it off with some silverware." He went on to say: "This is a young team with huge potential. Eight of the side are under 18. It was an extra special occasion for the Horgan's when John came on to play alongside his son Dan."
MUSKERRY: Dave Donnelly; Timmy Burke, Liam O'Donovan. Dennis O'Sullivan, Eoin Keohane; Mark Healy, Darragh Masterson; Lorcan Collins, John Tiernan (capt), Barry O'Brien; Shane Kennedy, Robbie Collins; Martin Muldoon, Dan Horgan. Dave Kelleher Replacements: Brian Donnelly for Lorcan Collins (50 min), Eoin Corcoran for Burke (58 min), Jerry Cronin for Robbie Collins ( 58 min), Denis O'Leary for O'Sullivan (70 min), John Horgan for O'Brien (78 min)