Corinthians Bounce Back0

Corinthians 14     Clonakilty 7

Corinthians bounced back with a win after losing out to Terenure last weekend. Bottom of the table Clonakilty were the visitors to Cloonacauneen last Saturday a contest that was played in very heavy conditions. The Cloonacauneen outfit were first on the score board after ten minutes with a easy penalty in front of posts which was converted by outhalf Eric Flynn. This came from good play by the Corinthian pack which grinded their way into the opposing teams twenty two and were penalized for dragging down the ensuing maul. The side had another opportunity mid way through the half when the two new halfbacks Mickey Murphy and Flynn created a great break with full back Darrin Classens coming into the line but the slippery ball spilled when he was about to touch down. The score remained three points to nil at the break for the home side.

With the elements assisting the Cloonacauneen side in the second half and sustained pressure by the pack which mauled its way down the pitch. Scrumhalf Murphy eventually picked from the base of the maul to set up hooker Kevin O Byrne to touch down in the corner. Center Wayne Williams missed out on the extras from out wide. The west Cork outfit never gave up and were rewarded after twenty minutes into the second half after a great break by number eight Ger McCarty to set up left winger Kieran Howlin to get over the try line. Fullback Matt Kirby added the extras to leave only a point between the two sides. The home side upped their game again even after what looked like a serious injury to second row Pat Cunningham who had to helped off the pitch. With replacement Joey Merrigan coming into the fray they gained a foothold into the Clonakilty twenty two. From the ensuing lineout the visitors were penalized by IRFU referee Nigel Correll for an infringement. Williams converted same. Despite good work by the Clonakitlty halfbacks Mark Purcell and Joe Crowley they were unable to make any inroads into the Corinthian half. The home side finished off the scoring in the last few minutes with the back row driving forward especially Aurelien Casanova and Luke Bertini. Referee Correll again penalized the visitors for foul play. Williams converted to finish off the game leaving the home side winning by fourteen points to seven. This was a much improved performance from the previous week which should give coach Sean Duighan and captain Finn Gormley some joy.

Corinthian Team: D Classens.E Daly.F Gormley.(capt).W Williams.B Dixon(J Buckley).E Flynn.M Murphy.(M Byrne).F Bealham.K O Byrne.T Toolan(D Small).G Warde.P Cunningham(J Merrigan).S Gerrity.L Bertini.