The local derby between Corinthians and Galwegians in the AIL Division 1B took place in Cloonacauneen Park on Friday night. The conditions were very poor on the night but that did not put a damper on proceedings as a huge crowd of supporters turned up for the ensuing contest. The massive home support had more to shout about in the first half as the Cloonacauneen outfit got into their stride from the off. They also had the elements in their favor and a rampant Gary Warde thundering down the pitch in the first few minutes assisted by his aid de com Ultan Dillane. They were obstructed illegally by the Wegian pack and IRFU referee David Connolly awarded a penalty to the home side twenty two metres out and close to the touch line. Corinthians out half Conor Murphy was just wide with his attempt but some minutes later his side were awarded another penalty as the Dublin road outfit were pulled for being off side for the drop off. The outhalf easily converted same. The Galwegian pack tried to keep it tight as there was a strong easterly wind blowing down the pitch. This worked for some time but flanker Paul Hackett knocked on at a vital stage and allowed the home side number eight Eoghan Masterson to gather and link up with Murphy. The out half whipped the ball down the field which eventually went over the dead ball line. From the resulting drop off Corinthians captain Joey Merrigan collected the oval ball releasing same to Warde, he in turn whipped it out to Darin Claasen. The fullback made some ground and set up first center David Panter to skate in for a fine touch down. Murphy added the extras. Galwegians upped their game after this set back as they worked their way up the pitch as centers Brian Murphy and his partner Gary O’Brien took on the home side. During this period Corinthians flanker Marc Kelly was yellow carded by IRFU referee David Connolly. He awarded a penalty to the visitors for the infringement but fullback Ross Shaughnessy was wide in the difficult conditions. The fullback had another opportunity same minutes later but was again off the mark. There were no more points put up on the board as the two packs played out a typical city derby until the referee blew for half time leaving the home side leading by ten points to nil.
Galwegians now had the aid of the elements as they put pressure on the home side. The Corinthian pack stayed strong holding the visitors at bay. But the referee had the yellow card out again giving loose-head Jamie Dever his walking papers. The home crowd were baying at the referee at this stage, but all to no avail. Wegians eventually got the upper hand as winger Colin Conroy got in to touch down in the corner. Shaughnessy was wide with the convert. The light blues added another penalty with the home side still a man down. Their was only a point between the two sides at this stage as Corinthians tried to assert themselves. They eventually gained a foot hold into the Galwegians twenty two as the light blues were pulled for loitering. But low and behold another yellow card was produced by the ref sending Darin Classen to the dugout. This was a first for the veteran fullback from Port Elizabeth who was crest fallen at this juncture of the contest. The visitors were now on a high as the sending off completely flummoxed the home team. Wegians took advantage of the referee’s decision with excellent play by their back line as second center Brian Murphy got in under the posts. The fullback added the extras. There was more handbag stuff going on at this late stage as the referee called both captains aside, a bit late in the day. The home side made one more effort as second center Dwayne Corcoran and left winger Darren Griffen got up field but it was too late in the day as the ref blew for time.
Final result Corinthians 10 —– Galwegians 18. Corinthians next outing is at home to Belfast Harlequins on Saturday 15th November. Kick off; 2.30pm. Venue Cloonacauneen Park
Corinthian Team; D Classen,D McDermott, D Corcoran,D Panter,D Griffen,C Murphy,M Murphy,A Bane,J Merrigan(capt),J Dever,U Dillane,G Warde,P O’Toole,M Kelly,E Masterson, Replacements;C Hansbury,C Raftery,D Phelan,D Keogh,C Ryan,
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