YOUNG MUNSTER cruised through to a Munster Senior Cup semi-final meeting with Sundays Well next Saturday at Musgrave Park but may have to do a lot better if they are to progress any further.
Newcomers Richmond put up a plucky performance at Thomond Park yesterday but never had the power or experience to cope with the All-Ireland League Division One side, eventually going down 29-3.
Young Munster led early on with a penalty by Aidan O'Halloran and a try by Niall McNamara and made sure on the stroke of half-time when international prop John Fitzgerald crashed over for a try which O'Halloran converted to make it 15-0 at the break.
More than 20 minutes of the second half were completed before Young Munster struck again through Declan Edwards, their excellent number eight and captain, and they had another try from scrum-half John Moloney. Both were converted by O'Halloran, but fourth division Richmond had the last say with a close range penalty by out-half Paddy McNamara.
When Sunday's Well won the Cup two years ago it sparked off a prolonged period of celebration. Well, on Saturday at Musgrave Park they merely edged through to the semi-final but there was the same sort of reaction after the 21-20 victory over Constitution.
They nearly blew it after losing an 18-3 lead to fall behind 18-20 with 16 minutes to go but they stormed back and grabbed a late penalty from Conor Burke to see them through.
Garryowen had their anticipated comfortable victory, 34-9, over Bohemians at Thomond, Park on Saturday. However, it was by no means an impressive display against opponents from the third division.
Coach Philip Danagher agreed afterwards that they will have to show considerable improvement if they are to have a serious chance of putting a stop to Shannon's gallop when the teams meet in the semi-final at Thomond Park on Saturday.
While Garryowen were never in any danger of losing a game that never rose above the ordinary, they made heavy weather of breaking down a resolute Bohemian defence. Centre Killian Keane did the bulk of their scoring with four penalties and two conversions, while their try scoring was restricted to one in the first half by Paul Spain and two in the second half by impressive centre, Joe Brooks and flanker Andrew Bermingham.
Champions Shannon didn't have matters all their own way when they met a lively UCC side on Saturday at Musgrave Park.
Shannon spent most of the time in control on the scoreboard.but College pushed them to the limit in other areas and the holders were much relieved to emerge with a 33-24 victory at the end.
Their first half scoring blitz ultimately saw them safely through. Conor McDermott, Jason Hayes and Anthony Foley scored tries, while Andrew Thompson converted all three and added a penalty.
