Magnificent Monivea book place in All-Ireland Cup final

Date Published: {J}

MONIVEA made history on Saturday beating Ulster league leaders Cooke and booking a place in the All Ireland Junior Cup final for the first time in their or any Connacht club’s history. They will meet Crosshaven in the decider after they edged out Sligo 6-5 in the other semi final.

Ger Divilly and Kevin Higgins had first half tries for the Connacht visitors in Belfast as they raced into a 20-0 lead by half time. Having seen a 17-3 lead slip away in Sligo last month, they were on high alert and sure enough Cooke emerged with a high tempo scoring twice.

Dave Prior’s intercept try, however, proved vital as it restored a two score lead and although Cooke fought back to 27-23 with five minutes to go, Monivea held firm to win a place in the final.

The performance of young Irish Youths second row Conor Kindregan was particularly impressive. The Monivea pack were in fiery mood early on with the usual key men to the fore and the added bonus of a bench that brought an extra surge in the shape of Fergus Farrell and Willie Parker, who are back from injury, and Martin King.

In the backline all stood out with Darren Blade continuing his fine form at scrum-half.John Culkin was injured at half time, Rory O’Connor replaced him.

Kevin Higgins was in top form, scoring the first try after a crossfield kick from Ger O’Connor bounced into the arms of Ger Divilly who found Higgins. Divilly was rewarded for another fine game soon after with a try of his own.

The final is set for the second weekend in April at a venue yet to be decided. Hopes that it would be staged at IRFU headquarters in the new Lansdowne Road appear to have been dismissed however due to costs.

If that is true, then nothing would more clearly highlight the different philosophies of the GAA and Rugby’s governing body when it comes to opening their major stadium to all grades of the game.

Galway sides slip

Galwegians and Corinthians had fairly significant set backs in their Ulster Bank League action on Saturday. The sky blues entertained Lansdowne and an injury hit squad shipped a five try drubbing that leaves them eight points adrift at the bottom of Division 1b with four games left.

A relegation play off with fifth in Division 2 is now on the cards as their place at the top table of club rugby in ireland is under threat. Corinthians are looking to gain a spot in the newly expanded Division 1b next season, but they too had a major setback going down to strugglers Old Crescent 14-9 in Limerick.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.