Constitution hold on for win

The result didn't quite match the performance as Buccaneers took Cork Constitution to the wire at Temple Hill on Saturday. It's little wonder that Buccaneers have earned a new respect in their first season in the top flight because they matched their more lauded opponents in just about everything apart from goal-kicking.

Sure, they could do with a stronger strike force in the backs but a sparkling break by full-back Robert Lee near the end proved they aren't afraid for the game to open up either.

Constitution were left hanging on for dear life afterwards. But after two earlier penalties close to the line yielded tries for the visitors, this time a knock-on proved costly.

Even more costly was the 55th minute sending off of Donal Rigney for stamping.

Constitution did just about enough to earn the points. Simon Allnutt and Ronan O'Gara exchanged penalties before O'Gara converted a superb try by Brian Walsh.

Brian Rigney responded with an 11th minute try but Constitution were back in control when substitute James Kiernan got in for their second try five minutes later. Allnutt and O'Gara again exchanged penalties before Eoin Brennan's try, converted by Allnutt, left the half-time score 1818.

Kiernan grabbed another Constitution try and O'Gara stretched the lead to 29-18 with further penalties, responding with another after Brian Rigney scored a third try for Buccaneers which Allnutt converted.

Cork Constitution: B Walsh; J Kelly, Conor Mahony, Cian Mahony, D O'Brien; R O'Gara, B O'Meara; I Murray, J Fogarty, J O'Driscoll, K Murphy, D Sheehan, D Corkery, U O'Callaghan, J Murray. Subs: J Kiernan for Cian Mahony (5 mins), P Soden for O'Driscoll (49 mins), D O'Callaghan for Sheehan, F Sheahan for Fogarty (72 mins).

Buccaneers: R Lee; M Devine, O Cobbe, E Molloy, R Southam; S Allnutt, S McIvor; J Screene, J McVeigh, M Cahill, B Rigney, Donal Rigney, Des Rigney, M Steffert, E Brennan. Subs: C Rigney for Des Rigney (65 mins).

Referee: G Black (Leinster).