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.

The mini’s are still battling the wet weather and unavailability of pitches. A staggered training routine is allowing us to get all prospective internationals training every Saturday thanks to the excellent all weather facilities. Whilst the earlier start doesn’t suit most of us the kids as always take it in their stride. We are unsure what the weather has to serve up so we will be updating all parents once everything has been confirmed.

Numbers continue to grow and we have adapted our fixtures schedule to allow us to continue with our policy of getting all kids on the pitch in a non competitive fun environment.

Corinthians travelled to Dublin on Saturday to take on Terenure hoping to consolidate their position in Division two but the home side had another agenda.The first half was a very dour affair been played in perfect but chilly conditions. The contest itself showed that the Christmas break did not help the standard of rugby that was produced. The visitors started well with their forwards doing good work out of touch especially Pat Cunningham and Sean Geraghty .Corinthian right winger Brian Dickson had an opportunity midway through the half of getting in for a try but a great tackle into touch by Terenure’s fullback Conor Gildea saved the day for the home side. The Lakelands Road’s right winger Conor Kelly let an chance go a begging with the goal line at his mercy but for Corinthians winger Darren Classens to thump him into touch. IRFU Referee Jonathan Peake blew the half time whistle with both sides scoreless.

Terenure sub Niall Casey was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle early in the second half this seemed to give more impetus to the home side putting severe pressure on the visitors. After Corinthians were penalized for foul play Nure’s outhalf Dave McAllister kicked a great ball to bring play to the visitors five meter line. From the ensuing lineout the home side second row and captain Brian Moroney took a great ball and fed scrumhalf Mark O Neill who side stepped the Corinthian backrow to get in for a touch down. McAllister added the extras. The Cloonacauneen outfit still had plenty of time to level matters with Classens kicking a fine line ball bringing play into Terenure’s twenty five. Geraghty stole a great lineout for the visitors and with a quick ball out to the backline, but the final pass went forward with the line at their mercy. The home side broke down the pitch again in the final minutes and a turn over by the Dublin outfit saw centre Andy Wallace slice through the visitors defence to touch down wide of the posts McAllister added the extras. Referee Jonathan Peake then called time. Final score Terenure 14 –Corinthians Nil.

Next Fixture is at home to Clonakilty. Saturday Feb 4^th. Kick off 2.30pm.

Corinthian Team: F Bealham(J Burton).K O’Byrne.D Small(T Tolan).P Cunningham.G Ward.A Casanova.S Geraghty.L Bertini.N Murphy.C Murphy.B Dickson.O Daly.F Gormley.D Classens.D Palmer.

Answers will be listed next week

Question 1

Darren gets a pass but as he gets it, the ball goes forward from him.   Before the ball  hits the ground Peader Tonery (who was behind Darren) with his superior speed, gathers the ball.

Is this a knock on?

Question 2

Hutchy, in scoring a try, hits the corner post .

Try or not?

Question 3

A. Conor Murphy is late tackled as he kicks the ball which lands 40 metres in front of him.

Where is the ensuing penalty?

B. Same situation but Conor kicks the ball into the wind and it lands 20 metres behind him.

Is the penalty where the ball lands or somewhere else?

This story begins at a committee meeting on an evening in February 1933,  held in the Mechanics Institute. Corinthians had  been in existence for only one season.   It was decided that they would travel to Dublin for the Ireland v Scotland Fixture.  They arranged a fixture with Dublin University College 2^nd fifteen and an overnight for the International game on the Saturday.  As the Great Southern Railway rate of 16 shillings a head was too expensive,  it was decided to travel with the Galway Omnibus Company of which its manager Mr Sparrow been a member of Corinthians and allowed a better rate of 12 shillings and 6 pence.

Weather Ahead

Weather forecasting at the time was more than eratic and uninspired guesswork.  The team (which was captained by Jack Browne) and alickadoos assembled at Eyre Square for the trip.   The instincts and a cloud laden sky was enough to warn them that the journey would not be the most comfortable that they ever had.  This Corinthian team were a youthfull side, however,  made up of mostly ex Bish players and a few Jes thrown in for good measure, nothing daunted as one would say as they, took off for Dublin.

A light fall of snow, driven by an east wind,  greeted them at Oranmore but things soon got worse.  A blizzard of growing intensity developed and within a half mile of New Inn the Omnibus had slowed to a crawl and became embedded in a four foot snow drift. They vacated the bus and made their way to a premises which happened to be the local Garda Station.  It was about noon at this stage.  The Guards made them welcome and gave the visitors the full use of their day-room.  The day slipped by with no let up of the blizzard and  the travelers were comfortable near a roaring fire.  They learned later in the day that like themselves, a bread van was marooned a few hundred yards further on with a plentiful supply of confectionery on board.  The ravenous Corinthian outfit had commandeered all of the van’s  contents which had disappeared entirely by tea-time.  The night passed by with spinning of yarns,card playing, etc.  The most vivid recollection, made by Brian O’Connell, the clubs first secretary is the “Griff” (Paddy Griffin) holding court in front of the open fire laying down the law and threatening fire and brimstone on the next …. how’ your father etc etc ..who left the door of the day room open behind them when they went out to relieve themselves.

The unfortunate Barracks housekeeper kept brewing tea until dawn broke.  The bedraggled group decided that their best course of action was to head for Woodlawn Railway Station and hope for a train going east or west.  On their way they retreaved some of their luggage after climbing into the back of the Omnibus.

A Bedraggled Lot Make Their Way Back Home

The snow was thick and walking conditions were almost impossible but the members of the team were attired in their rugby boots and socks which formed a slight form of protection.  The allicadoos were worse off and had to walk on top of the roadside wall.  They reached Woodlawn Station in two hours (a distance of five miles) only to find there was no chance of getting a train, due to the snow being two feet high on the railway line.  On route to the station they enquired at a house (Mrs Rafterys as was learned later)whither there was any place where they might get a meal for over twenty persons (this was about eleven am).  Mrs Raftery said no, but invited them in and preceded to feed the whole Corinthian flotilla, in relays,  with beacon and eggs.  Misses Raftery was ably assisted by two or three of her children and a maid.  After the meal and all the thank yous the group headed for the station again.

They then decided to walk the permanent way all that distance of twelve miles to Lathery Station hoping to catch a train into Galway. This they achived walking in two feet of snow in football boots etc.  They sang all the way to Athenry with that man again ,“The Griff”,  leading the way.  His favourite was“To the table down in Maurys”, which got many a rendering down the years. Other songs to be heard sung by the miles men working on the permanent way was the “West Awake” and” Corinthians are we”

There were many tales told of that famous journey, one of which was of the treasurer “Bubbles O Flaherty”sliding down the embankment, covered by snow.the only item to be seen was his hand pertruding from same holding on to the money bag for dear life.   They achieved the trek to Athenry in two and a half hours where they got a great welcome.

They caught the four thirty train to Galway a damp and weary bunch,but their greatest welcome was at Galway Railway Station as news of there trek had spread to their wives and girl friends.

Some weeks later a group headed to Woodlawn consisting of Mr G H Warner(President),Miko Gallagher,Jack Browne and of course Paddy Griffin where a presentation was made of a Silver Plate and coffee/tea set for her kindness and hospitality which was suitably inscribed.  The rest of the personnel on that journey were M Browne,J Deacy,M Deacy,G Mahony,T Mullins,W Toner,H Flatery,D O Donovan,J Reid,G Glynn,”Brod” O Halloran and first secretary of the club Brian O Connell who along with Brod,  were the main suppliers of the tale.

Story brought to us by Brendan Cassidy

The U13‘s travelled to Clifden on Sunday last to play Connemara. The weather conditions and the pitch could only be described as perfect. It only took three minutes for Corinthians to cross the oppositions line with Jack Nevin crossing for his first of 4 tries of the day, an outstanding display at number 8. Marcus Burke added the extras. With Tom Forde at scrumhalf Corinthians played some very inspirational rugby, with Tom scoring 2 tries himself. There were big performances from Maitias O’Griofa, who had an exceptional game, Macdara O’Duibhir and Cillian McHugh. Openside  flanker Cathal Wall carried a lot of ball and was eventually rewarded with a try. At any time the Corinthians could have become complacent but their captain Sean Curley Caulfield kept the lads grounded and led by example. Tight head prop Dylan Tierney Martin barged over the whitewash twice in the second half and had a useful afternoon around the pitch. Sean Kilmartin made some beautiful runs throughout the match and was unfortunate not to make it onto the score sheet. Max  Payton had a great game at outhalf, a position he would not be familiar with. Marcus Burke had an outstanding  afternoon in the centre with a personal tally of 2 tries and 3 conversions. Barry O’Shea had a good match and was an integral part of the backline but found his efforts to get on the score sheet thwarted on the day.  Fionn McGabhann made several efforts from the wing but couldn’t avoid the attentions of the Connemara full back. This was a  great team effort with the forwards winning a good number of scrums against the  head and the oppositions lineout. Lads, an outstanding team performance.

Despite missing a number of players away with other sport committments and a few injuries the U16 squad had a comprehensive victory over Westport on Sat 21st Jan. A fantastic team display with good ball provided by the forwards to a flying backline who scored most of the tries. So many players had great games and the quality of handling,rucking and support play was a pleasure to watch. The front row of Ciaran Murphy, Phelim McGovern and Sean McKeogh did tremendous work in tight supported by Stephen Flanagan and Jack Gavin in 2nd row. Robbie Kenny got the ball away at every opportunity to a backline that moved it wide at every opportunity and gave the opposition no space when they had possession. Another great team display by these U16s.

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The under 16 league restarted after bad weather and Corinthians got a great win away in Monivea with 6 tries and one conversion to no score. Monivea were a big strong side and this was not an easy win, but with an organised defence which did not give an inch around the set pieces and breakdowns Corinthians moved the ball wide at every opportunity and scored all tries through their backs. Johannes O’Coistealbha (3tries), Paddy Griffin(2 tries) and Keelan Ward (1 try) with Mark Kenny adding a conversion. Another great team effort with some fantastic tackling by all particularly Philip Murphy,Stephen Flanagan and Michael O’Connell.