Corinthians lost out to a more enterprising UL Bohs on Saturday afternoon in Cloonacauneen Park. The Limerick outfit playing against the wind in the first half seemed to settle better as they put pressure on the home side from the off. The home side had a hiccup before the contest commenced as left winger Darren Griffin suffered a concussion in the warm up. A quick re shuffle ensued as Owen Daly came in to replace him. I’m sure the incident didn’t kelp matters but on to the game. Both packs were sizing each other up for the first quarter of the contest but the Cloonacauneen outfit eventually woke up as first center Charlie Ryan and his playing partner David McDermott inter acted with the oval ball. IRFU referee Paul Haycock blew his whistle as he penalized the centers for crossing inside the visitors twenty two, ‘opportunity lost’. After twenty five minutes of play the visitors lock Craig Irwin got his marching orders for foul play. Captain Joey Merrigan called for a scrum inside the Shannon sides twenty two metre line as his pack were well in control of same. From the resulting scrum the home side drove forward eventually getting over the whitewash. The referee had no option but to award a penalty try under the posts as the visitors were caught for pulling the maul down. Fullback Conor Murphy added the extras. That was as good as it got for the blue, black and white outfit as Bohs held their line until it was time for the oranges.
Immediately after the break Corinthians right winger Darin Claasen intercepted the oval ball as the opposition were attacking. The intercept accord inside his half and he had a lot of work to do but the veteran continued up the side line to gain a fine touchdown. Murphy was unable to add the extras which would have been vital. Corinthians of old would have closed the game down at this stage and kept the ball under their jumpers but alas they tried to run the ball. As they did so Bohs man of the match Shane Airey intercepted to run in and touchdown in the corner. The number ten also added the extras, game on. As their was still twenty five minutes left in the contest the home side pack especially lock Mark Byrne and young flanker David Joyce put in some driving efforts veteran Gary Warde was also very much to the fore. But what with all their possession they were unable to get into the visitors twenty two. With eight minutes left on the clock Airey found a mighty touch into Corinthians five metre line. Even though the ball was won by by the home side. The resulting kick to touch by outhalf Phillip Noone kept play inside their twenty two due to the strong wind blowing down the pitch. Bohs went for the jugular at this stage and a fine take by their number five and captain Ed Kelly allowed scrum half Craig Miller to scramble over after his pack did the donkey work. Airey added the extras to give them a two point lead. With only minutes remaining the home side pack kept possession in midfield until the man with the whistle blew for full time. This was an excellent result for Bohemians shoving them a point ahead of the Cloonacauneen outfit. Corinthians next game before the turkey will be at home to Ballymena on Saturday 22/12/14. Kick off 2.30pm. Venue Cloonacauneen Park.
Corinthian Team: C Murphy.D Claasen.D McDermott.C Ryan.O Daly.P Noone.P Maher.A Bane.J Merrigan.(capt).C Hansbury.M Byrne.G Warde.A Broderick.D Joyce.C Raftery. Replacements: M O’Connell.A Glynn.D Hansbury.M Murphy.
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