Corinthians go top with five games remaining

Date Published: 18-Feb-2013

Corinthians 21

Terenure 15

Corinthians moved to the top of the standings in Division 2A of the Ulster Bank League on Saturday with a fully-merited win over a Terenure side that had travelled West as league leaders.

The home side, playing in front of their biggest home crowd of the season, continued their fine recent form to inflict just a second defeat of the season on Terenure, and with just one of their remaining five games against a side in the top seven of the table – away to UCC on March 30 – Phil Pretorious’s side are well placed to win promotion to Division 1B.

Terenure attacked from the off on Saturday, but they lost an early opportunity to get over the try line after their captain and centre Conor Gildea knocked-on with the line at his mercy. The home side got on the score board after 12 minutes with their first foray into Terenure’s half, out-half Mick O’Flynn converting a penalty from out wide for a lead they never relinquished.

O’Flynn kicked another penalty eight minutes later when IRFU referee Shane Kierans pulled the visitors for crossing, but the Lakelands outfit got back into the game minutes later when flanker James O’Neill touched down for an unconverted try after a good drive by their pack, to leave the home side 6-5 to the good.

The Cloonacauneen outfit woke up after this turn around and succeeded in mauling their way into the visitors five meter line with prop Tom Toolan and hooker Kevin O’Byrne driving forward, and substitute prop Finlay Bealham took possession to touch down for the try, which O’Flynn converted.

Just before the break Terenure got back up the field and were awarded a penalty after Cian Begley was collared for killing the ball, and Terenure out-half Willie Staunton landed the kick to reduce the arrears to 13-8 at half-time.

The home side upped their game in the second half with locks Gary Warde and Ultan Dillane very much to the fore plus substitute flanker evergreen Aurelien Casanova forcing the play and the visitors conceding another penalty which was again converted by O’Flynn.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.