The outcome at Tom Clifford Park yesterday was in doubt for only a short period in the first half. Otherwise, it was Terenure all the way as they comprehensively outplayed Young Munster and deserved their final winning margin of 32-13 over a side that was losing its fourth successive game in the AIB League.
Terenure played well but their task was made all the easier by a Young Munster side low in confidence and even shorter still in fitness and stamina.
The game began as it continued with Terenure calling the shots. Richard Governey was deadly accurate all day with his place kicking and early on landed a penalty and added the points to a try by Michael Smyth. Another Governey penalty against a Mike Prendergast penalty made it 11-3.
A Governey penalty after 20 minutes extended the lead to 14-3 until at last Munsters roused themselves. Mike Lynch landed a penalty and converted a splendid solo try by Jason Hayes.
However, the second half was more or less one-way traffic in spite of the introduction of Rob Henderson to the fray after 44 minutes. The Lions centre made a 30 metre burst the first time he got the ball but after that was only seen in a defensive capacity as Terenure took control.
Scoring sequence: 2 mins: R. Governey penalty, 3-0; 11 mins: M. Smyth try 8-0; 13 mins: M. Prendergast dropped goal 8-3; 16: Governey pen 11-3; 20 mins: Governey pen 14-3; 25 mins: M. Lynch pen 14-6; 30 mins: J. Hayes try, Lynch con 14-13. Governey pen 17-13; 53 mins: C. Egan try 22-13; 70 mins: Governey pen 25-13; 79 mins: C. Egan try, Governey con, 32-13.
TERENURE: C Hall; P. Costelloe, JB O'Sullivan, M Smyth, J Treacy; R Governey, K Putt; J Nolan, C Egan, S Barretto, M Quinn, D Quinn, B Kavanagh, P O'Malley, D Blaney. Replacement: M Dowling for Hall (74 mins).
YOUNG MUNSTER: J Hayes; F Hogan, L Doyle, C Casey, C Doyle; M Lynch, M Prendergast; R Flanagan, B Cantrell, P O'Hanlon, D Peters, S O'Neill, D McNamara, K Gallagher, D Edwards. Replacements: B Murray for O'Neill, R. Henderson for Casey.
Referee: S. McDowell (Ulster).
