The Cork Constitution (CC) is a rugby union club based in Cork, playing in Division 1A of the All-Ireland League. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution newspaper. Since the paper did not publish on Sundays, the staff were looking for activities to pursue on Saturday afternoons. In the summer, cricket was played, while in the winter, rugby was the designated activity. The team currently plays in Temple Hill, Ballintemple.
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Full name | Cork Constitution Football Club | |
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Union | IRFU | |
Branch | Munster | |
Nickname(s) | Con | |
Founded | 1892 | |
Ground(s) | Temple Hill, Ballintemple, Cork (Capacity: ~5,000) | |
League(s) | All-Ireland League 1A | |
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Official website | ||
corkcon |
Due to the introduction of professional rugby union, and its success at producing players who go on to obtain Munster contracts, Con, like many other senior rugby clubs in Ireland, has been unable to field a full strength side for a number of years.[original research?] In this period[when?] though, Con have remained competitive, reaching the final of the All-Ireland League on six occasions since 2001 inclusive; losing in 2001 to Dungannon, losing in 2002 to Shannon, again losing in 2004 to Shannon and losing in 2007 to Garryowen, winning the elusive third title in 2008 on beating Garryowen in Musgrave Park and capturing a fourth title when beating St. Mary's by 17 points to 10 after extra time in Dubarry Park in May 2010.[citation needed] This 2010 League victory led by Evan Ryan completed an AIL double as Con had already won the AIL cup earlier in the season. Their most recent AIL victory was in 2023-24, their seventh title.
The All-Ireland Bateman Cup, played between the Provincial Cup winners, was re-inaugurated in 2005-06, and Constitution have now won it on seven times.
Honours
edit- All-Ireland League: 7
- All-Ireland Cup: 7
- 2005–06, 2009–10, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17[3]
- Munster Senior Cup: 30
- Munster Senior League
- 1912 (shared), 1914 (shared), 1922, 1923, 1927, 1939, 1953, 1957, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1998
Notable players
edit- Stephen Archer
- Michael Bradley
- Paul Burke
- Rory Burke
- David Corkery
- Jack Crowley
- John Daly
- Shane Daly
- Jody Danaher
- Scott Deasy
- Ivan Dineen
- Len Dineen
- Garrett Fitzgerald
- Denis Fogarty
- John Fogarty
- Seán French
- Tom Gleeson
- Brian Hayes
- Billy Holland
- Jonathan Holland
- Anthony Horgan
- Darragh Hurley
- Gerry Hurley
- John Kelly
- Alex Kendellen
- Ralph Keyes
- Tom Kiernan
- Denis Leamy
- Donal Lenihan
- Cian Mahony
- Conor Mahony
- Jeremy Manning
- Paul McCarthy
- Alex McHenry
- Tommy Moroney
- Frank Murphy
- Kenny Murphy
- Noel F. Murphy
- Noel A. A. Murphy
- Ian Murray
- Ian Nagle
- Ross Noonan
- Kevin O'Byrne
- Donncha O'Callaghan
- Ultan O'Callaghan
- Liam O'Connor
- Mick O'Driscoll
- Ronan O'Gara
- Pat O'Hara
- David O'Mahony
- Peter O'Mahony
- Brian O'Meara
- John O'Neill
- Conrad O'Sullivan
- John Poland
- Brian Roche
- Mike Ross
- John Ryan
- Tim Ryan
- Frankie Sheahan
- Bodo Sieber
- Brian Toland
- Brian Walsh
- Duncan Williams
- Simon Zebo
References
edit- ^ "Cork Con put crowning touch to their season". Irish Examiner. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
- ^ "Cork Con seal second AIL title in three years with Aviva victory over Clontarf". The42. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
- ^ "Brian Hickey hails heroic defence as Cork Con claim 28th cup win". Irish Examiner. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- ^ "So close as mighty Quinn kicks Con to 25th crown". Irish Examiner. 21 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ "Brian Hickey hails Cork Con's trophy double after Munster Senior Cup win". Irish Examiner. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Cork Constitution 26 Garryowen 23". Irish Examiner. 5 January 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
- ^ "Report | Cork Con Secure 30th Munster Senior Challenge Cup Title". Munster Rugby. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.