Mahony brings his kicking boots

Five penalty-goals by Cork Constitution's outhalf Conor Mahony did the business in a lack-lustre match at Templeville Road yesterday.

It took Cork Con almost 20 minutes to get the scoreline moving, when Mahony slotted over a penalty for offside. He got his second penalty after 34 minutes, again for blatant off-side, but Con failed to make further headway before half-time.

However, Mahony put his stamp on the game early into the second half with a magnificent break that broke down close to the St Mary's line. Another infringement left Mahony with a simple penalty-kick.

Mahony slotted another penalty before St Mary's finally woke up. Outhalf Barry Lynn was cleanly fed from a 22-metre scrum and found three men outside him in a narrow channel. He bravely took the defence on and bustled his way to the line.

Mahony's stylish boot again pinned St Mary's back and quick movement from a scrum sent winger Graham Inglis in for a squeezed try in the corner. Mahony topped off a fine performance with a penalty in extra-time.

SCORING SEQUENCE - 18 mins: C Mahony pen 0-3; 34 mins: C Mahony pen 0-6; 46 mins: C Mahony pen 0-9; 50 mins: C Mahony pen 0-12; 58 mins: B Lynn try 5-12: 60 mins: D Hurley try 5-17; 82 mins: C Mahony pen 5-20.

ST MARY'S: P McKenna; G Ingles, G Gannon, K Lewis, J McWeeney; B Lynn, C McPhillips; P Coyle, M Duggan, D Clare, E Keane, J Ryan, M Browne, K O'Brien, M O'Shaughnessy. Replacements: S Conlon for O'Brien, M McHugh for Lynn, G Logan for Browne, P Cameron for McWeeney.

CORK CONSTITUTION: R Kenneally, A Sherrard, R O'Donovan, D Dillon, D Hurley, C Mahony, A O'Sullivan, I Murray, D Murray, R McGrath, K Murphy, U O'Callaghan, J Murray, J Sheahan, B Cahill. Replacements: H Casey for Murphy (30 mins).

Referee: S McDowell (Ulster Branch).