The second half of the season has not been good for Galway Corinthian’s suffering their second loss in the New Year, their eight loss over all. They have six fixtures remaining, four of which are away so they will have to knuckle down to retain their division 1b status. Garryowen on the other hand are flying it especially with their extra bonus point win. The conditions in Cloonacauneen Park on Saturday were atrocious with a gale blowing down towards the Tuam road end. The Limerick outfit were slow enough to get going as the home side repulsed every attack. After twenty of play the visitors were awarded a penalty on the Corinthian twenty two line after a simple offside situation. Garryowen outhalf Jamie Gavin slotted same. Just before the half hour the visitors extended their lead as Corinthians were under severe pressure to clear their line only gaining touch on their five meter line. From the resulting throw in Garryowen loose head Ben Rowley secured the oval ball and darted over the white wash for a much needed touch down. Gavin added the extras to give his side a ten point lead. With the clock ticking away towards the half time break and the Corinthians side defending like demons as the oval ball slipped out of a maul. The visitors out half was alert to the situation and dribbled the ball all way down the pitch to touch down out wide. The same player missed out on the extras as IRFU referee Greame Wells blew for the oranges.
With a fifteen point deficit the Cloonacauneen outfit upped their game and put the pressure on the Limerick boys. They eventually broke through the visitors defense after mauling their way into their five meter line. The home side scrumhalf Mickey Murphy gathered the ball at the base of the maul and whipped it out to Cian Begley. The first center linked up with his outside partner Westport man Dwayne Corcoran to get in for an excellent touch down in the corner. Out half Conor Murphy kicked a mighty convert in the difficult conditions. Some minutes later he added another three points from in front of posts as the Shannon side were pulled for loitering. With only a score between the sides it was looking good for the home outfit especially with the conditions assisting them. But alas that was as good as it got for captain Joey Merrigan and his troops. Garryowen substitute center Jamie Glynn was wide awake some minutes later as Corinthians out half grub kick the oval ball down the pitch. Glynn blocked the ball and soloed up the pitch to touch down in the corner. His out half was wide with the convert. Corinthians panicked at this stage of the contest rushing their game which suited the Garryowen side. The Limerick side ran in for three more touch downs as the home side defense crumbled. Pete O’Shea and Eddie Rossiter front rowers were the scorers of the forth and fifth try’s. Flanker Shane Buckley touched down for the final try. Outhalf Jamie Gavin converted two of the tries. A nice five pointer for the visitors. The final score Corinthians 10 points —- Garryowen 39 points. Corinthians next outing is away to Shannon on the 31/01/15. Kick off 2.30pm. Venue Coonagh Park.
Corinthian Team: D Panter.N Adeolokun.D Corcoran.C Begley.D Griffen.C Murphy.M Murphy.M Byrne.J Merrigan(capt).C Hansbury.D Hansbury.G Warde.M Kelly.M O’Connell.C Raftery; Replacements:A Bane.C Dillane.D Joyne.D Joyce.P Noone.O Daly.
