THESE are the kind of matches Cork Constitution need to win, but the type they have made a habit of losing. Old Wesley had to wait until two minutes from the end to celebrate a match-winning try but they were well worth their win. Even the most partisan of Constitution supporters conceded that it could have been more clear-cut if Wesley had made fuller use of their possession.
For Constitution, it was ironic that two Corkmen should play a huge part in the match-winning try. Former Constitution player Robert Casey seized on a home team mistake, Michael Higginson was also involved but it was ex-UCC player John Kenefick who raced over for the score which Adrian Hawe converted.
Constitution failed despite enjoying a great start. They jumped seven points up in the 19th minute when David O'Brien went over for a try which Ronan O'Garai converted.
Old Wesley, however, responded quickly with a Robbie Love try, which Hawe converted and then Rory Moloney put the visitors into a 10-7 lead with a 37th minute drop goal.
O'Brien struck early in the second half for his second try but then Hawe dropped a goal to make it 13-12. Irish under-21 international O'Gara knocked over two penalties but Wesley finished strongly.
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