THE leadership of the First Division of the Insurance Corporation All Ireland League was the issue at stake last Saturday at Temple Hill, the ideal situation to hone the strong competitive instincts of two of Ireland's most successful clubs, Cork Constitution and Garryowen.

Garryowen, the side that led the table when the break in the competition came last October, got a three-fold benefit from their visit. By defeating their old rivals 23-11, Garryowen not alone maintained their position at the top of the table but in doing so saw off one of their closest and most formidable challengers for the title. Their 12 points winning margin also improved their points difference appreciably and that could prove important in the days ahead.

From the outset. it was evident that Garryowen were determined to take up the challenge in exactly the same manner as they had finished when the break in the league came last October.

They were given the benefit of an appreciable wind by their opponents on a very heavy surface and in conditions calculated to test stamina and durability as the rain came down to add to the difficulties. Carryowen offered the necessary response to the climate and to the opposition.

They set about their task with a will and a level of application against a Constitution side that took time to adjust to the conditions and lacked the passion and the urgency of their opponents, until they found themselves 20 points adrift.

Not even an early three points lead when outside half Paul Burke kicked a penalty after just five minutes, offered the necessary level of inspiration. Perhaps containment into the wind was rooted in Constitution minds. it was a task that proved singularly beyond the home side, who at the interval trailed by 23-3. A deficit of that magnitude gave Constitution a task they never looked like accomplishing in their quest for the points.

They tried with all their might. if not with the subtlety and tactical appreciation required to break down a magnificent Garryowen defence. The breakthrough, when it came, for Constitution was a try in the 79th minute and by that time Garryowen knew they had passed the examination of their defensive qualities and had done so with distinction.

"We were worried about the long break in the league and if the players would be able to respond to the intense competitive situation again, especially as we regarded this match as being one of our hardest matches. I can think of easier ways to resume the league," said Garryowen coach Johnny McDonnell.

"The players responded magnificently. We used the wind very well. We knew Constitution would come back at us in the second half and they did, but the defence was tremendous. We want to bring that title back to Garryowen for a third time," he added.

This was a significant step towards the attainment of that objective.

Although he would not concede that Constitution are out of the title race, Constitution coach Christy Cantillon said: "I do not think any club can afford to lose more than two matches and hope to win the league. Garryowen deserved their win. They played very well with the wind and made life very hard for us in the second half. They played better into the wind than we had done and their defence was excellent. They had great commitment in their tackling."

The Garryowen tackling was an important element in their win as was their use of the ball they won in the first half when they won more and better possession from the lineout. where Michael Coughlan made a very significant contribution.

When the requirement was tight defence, Garryowen offered it and their back row trio of Dara O'Sullivan, Paul Hogan and Andrew Bermingham played exceptionally well and when Constitution tried to spread the bail wide, centres Killian Keane and Paul Murphy put in the tackles.

Len Dinneen, David Corkery and Victor Donnelly worked hard to get the try Constitution so badly needed, but it came far to late. One must wonder, too, why Constitution. trailing by 20 points, did not avail of good penalty chances early in the second half when points were an urgent requirement. Having been denied in their attempts to break down the Garryowen defence Burke did kick a penalty in the 68th minute. It was indicative of their frustration.

After Kenny Smith equalised Burke's early effort with a penalty in the eight minute, Dan Larkin scored a fine try for Garryowen in the 20th minute after Constitution full back David O'Brien failed to gather a high kick and the Garryowen forwards were onto the ball very quickly. it was moved left and Larkin split the defence for a try which Smith converted.

Forced on defence, Constitution gave away penalties and Smith kicked two to move his side into 16-3 lead. Then just before half-time, O'Sullivan was in the van of a great drive towards the Constitution line, the ball was won and Richard Wallace, like Smith a former Constitution player, came in off the blind side wing and broke the cover for a try. Smith converted and Garryowen led 23-3 at the break. Burke's 68th minute penalty and a try from Denis O'Dowd after a tapped penalty in the 79th minute were the only inroads the home side managed in their efforts to erase the 20 points interval deficit.