Corinthians were unable to contain a rampant Trinity side in Cloonacauneen Park on Saturday afternoon. This was a big game for both sides. Corinthians struggling to retain their status in Division 1b and Trinity challenging for a Division 1a spot. The contest was a one sided affair even though the Cloonacauneen outfit were first on the score board. The home outfit played against a gale in the first half as they adapted to the damp conditions. They used their maul to get up to their opponents five metre line but were unable to get over the white wash. IRFU referee Mark Connolly awarded a penalty to the home side as the College boys went offside defending their line. Out half Conor Murphy slotted the penalty in the tricky conditions. The Cloonacauneen outfit kept the opposition at bay for about twenty minutes of the first half as the students kept attacking. They got their just deserts after twenty five minutes of pressure as their flanker Brian Du Toit scooted in for their first touchdown after mauling their way into the home side twenty two. Their number ten Conor Kearns added the extras. Corinthians got back into the contest with some excellent tight work as substitute prop Alan Bane did the donkey work allowing veteran second row Gary Warde to scramble for a mighty touchdown. Murphy was wide with the extras. Some minutes later the Dublin side scored a penalty in front of posts as the Corinthian back row were pulled for loitering in a ruck situation. Just before the break they extended their lead yet again as open side flanker Nick McCarty gathered the oval ball from loose play and in for their second try. The out half missed out on the convert leaving them leading by fifteen points to eight at half time.
With the weather conditions assisting the home side in the second half they were unable to make any headway as the students played it cute. Working the angles and getting into the Corinthian half then releasing their electric back line especially left winger KillIan O Leary who slipped the ball out to fullback Jack Fitzpatrick to score their third try. Their outhalf added on the extras. Midway through the second half Conor Murphy added another penalty for the home side but that was as good as it got for the Cloonacauneen side. The students added two more try’s before the final whistle, Du Toit for his second touchdown and hooker Richard Halpin for their fifth try of the day. Kearns missed out on the extras. Final score Corinthians 11 points, Dublin University 32 points. Corinthians final match is away to UL Bohemian’s on the 11/4/15. Venue Annacotty ? Kick off 2.30pm.
Corinthian Team; D Claasen.C Ryan.J Buckley(capt).D Panter.D Corcoran.C Murphy.P Maher.M Byrne.J Merrigan.C Hansbury.U Dillane.G Warde.M O’Connell.M Kelly.J Connolly. Replacements; A Bane.D Hansbury.D Joyce.M Murphy.O Daly.
