Corinthians lost out to a rampant College side on Saturday afternoon. The westerners did the double on the students last season but its a new ball game this year as Corinthians endeavor to retain there foothold in Division 1b. The College Park boys got off to a great start as their heavier pack dominated the proceedings. The visitors held out until the fifteenth minute as the home side drove forward allowing their number eight Nick McCarty to pick and release to his lively scrumhalf Angus Lloyd. Lloyd then linked up with right winger Brian Mullin who scrambled in on the corner flag. Their number ten Jack McDermott was wide with the convert. They had another opportunity midway through the half as their lively back line side stepped the Corinthian cover. But veteran lock Garry Warde and flanker Marc Kelly held the students fullback Conor Kearns up to clear the danger. The Galway outfit eventually got in to the contest as their fullback Conor Murphy hit some fine line touches. Trinity were eventually pulled by IRFU referee Oisin Quinn for being over exuberant in the maul. Corinthians outhalf Craig Ronaldson slotted the penalty much to the delight of the traveling supporters. The students stretched their lead in the thirty sixth minute as they worked their way into the opposition twenty two. From a Corinthian lineout the students number eight claimed an excellent ball. He then released to his second row Raef Tyrrell which looked like a doggie pass but play continued as he dived over the try line to extend their lead. McDermott was again wide with the extras. With only seconds left on the clock before the break the visitors loose head Mark Byrne claimed the oval ball from loose play. As he drove forward he released to lock Roy Stanley the number eight then released to his second row Ultan Dillane. The referee then blew for a penalty as the opposition back row pulled the maul down. Ronaldson slotted same leaving the hosts leading by ten points to six as the ref blew for the oranges.
The College Park outfit went all out after the break but were caught on the hop as Corinthians held their line as second center Dwayne Corcoran stole the oval ball. Stanley then came in to take the ball linking up with his fullback. The fullback Conor Murphy finished the play off with a mighty touchdown. Ronaldson added the extras leaving the visitors leading by three points. That was as good as it got for the Cloonacauneen outfit. After the restart the visitors were pulled for illegal play in the scrum. McDormott slotted the ensuing penalty leveling the score at thirteen points apiece. Midway through the second half the home side went three points up as the visitors were penalized for not releasing. The home side number ten had no problem in slotting same. On the half hour the number ten slotted another penalty to extend their lead by six points. The blue, black and white outfit were caught again in an offside situation with ten minutes left on the clock. The students found an excellent touch and from the resulting play their scrum half Angus Lloyd galloped in for their third touchdown. The convert was wide of the mark. This did not bother the college boys as they went all out for the forth try and the extra bonus point. Sure enough from the Corinthian drop off the Dublin University boys claimed the oval ball and mauled their way into the visitors twenty two. Then substitute scrum half Andy Keating gathered and skated in for their forth try. McDermott added the extras as the ref Oisin Quinn blew for full time. Final score Dublin University 31 points— Corinthians 13 points. Corinthians now have two home games before the Christmas break. They entertain UL Bohemians on Saturday 6/12/14 and Ballymena on Saturday 20/12/14.
Head coach Pat Cunningham and captain Joey Merrigan have a bit of home work to do especially with the Connaught scene pulling players every other week. But that’s the reality of the situation and I’m sure the club are delighted to see their charges gaining Provincial exposure. The club is fortunate that the NUIG/Corinthian Under 20’s initiative is bearing fruit which is enhancing the senior team .
Corinthian Team; C Murphy,D Claasen,D Corcoran,D Panter,D Griffin,C Ronaldson,P Maher,M Byrne,J Merrigan(cpt),A Bane,U Dillane,G Warde,C Raftery,M Kelly,R Stanley,Replacements;D Joyce,A Glynn,M Murphy,C Ryan,C Dillane
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