Cork Con build up momentum

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE:ST MARY'S COLLEGE coach Ciarán Potts admitted Cork Constitution are the best team his outfit has met all season following a high-class match at Temple Hill on Saturday. Cork Con's success brings them to within a point of St Mary's at the top of the table. "They definitely wanted it more." said Potts. "We started very well, and had a pretty intense opening period, but we didn't really get going again until the final 15 minutes."

Cork Con had Duncan Williams back at scrumhalf. “He’s a super player,” stressed coach Brian Walsh of the Munster-contracted Williams. “He’s been unfortunate with injuries, and hasn’t played for four or five weeks. He had a point to prove to himself and had a huge influence on the game.”

Cork Con had to show some character after going 6-0 down to two penalties from the St Mary’s fullback Gavin Dunne within the opening five minutes. They began to turn things around, but some excellent St Mary’s defensive work kept them at bay until a penalty from fullback Scott Deasy reduced the deficit to 6-3 at the interval.

Not helped by the sin-binning of flanker Paul Nash, St Mary’s defended desperately at times before prop Stephen Archer forced his way over for a Cork Con try 15 minutes into the second half. With Deasy adding the conversion and a penalty, and outhalf Daragh Lyons putting over a drop goal, Cork Con were 16-6 ahead going into the final 12 minutes.

St Mary’s rallied late to secure the losing bonus point. Stuart O’Flanagan, on as a substitute for Dunne at fullback, kicked a penalty eight minutes from the end.

CORK CONSTITUTION: S Deasy; R Lane, T Gleeson, E Ryan (capt), C Healy; D Lyons, D Williams; M Gately, R Quinn (P Kelleher 77), S Archer, M O’Connell (B Hayes 72), I Nagle, B Holland, P O’Mahony ( E Leahy 69), F Cogan.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE: G Dunne (S O’Flanagan 67); R Doherty, S Grissing, P Brophy, D Fanning; S McCarthy, J Burns; J McGrath (C McMahon 55) , D Kilbride, R, Sweeney, G Logan, R Copeland, D Hall, P Nash, H Hogan.

Referee: L Colgan.

AFTER THE disappointment of losing out in injury-time to Cork Constitution the previous weekend, Shannon responded in the best way by accounting for Clontarf 21-13 at Castle Avenue. The victory moves them up to third in the Division 1A table. Again, Ireland A fullback Felix Jones was a key figure, scoring a try before setting up one for Stephen Kelly.Tadgh Bennett landed the conversion and two penalties. Martin Dufficy scored a try and conversion for Clontarf, with Darragh O’Shea landing two penalties.

Dolphin are in fourth spot on the same mark as Shannon, but with a game in hand. Dolphin had their Munster backrow men Nick Williams and James Coughlan back, and they both secured tries in a 12-6 victory over Blackrock College at Stradbrook.

Garryowen won the Limerick derby at Thomond Park, beating UL Bohemians 9-5 to move to within a point of their rivals at the bottom of the table. UL Bohs scored the only try through Ed Torrie, but the goalkicking of Willi Staunton (penalty and drop goal) and Conor Murray (penalty) saw Garryowen home.

Old Belvedere stay out in front in Division 1B following a 28-10 away success over Ballynahinch. Eoin Devitt’s two tries proved vital.

Young Munster remain second after beating Galwegians 16-9 at Crowley Park. Wing Dave Corcoran scored the only try of the game for Young Munster.

UCC maintained their challenge with a 25-6 victory over struggling Bucccaneers at the Mardyke, while Ballymena defeated Dungannon 21-15 at Stevenson Park.