Corinthians came away from Dooadoyle on Saturday afternoon with just a losing bonus point. There was a bit of hand bag stuff early in the contest as the referee had to have words with both captains to calm the players down. The visitors were first on the score board as Corinthians number eight Eoghan Masterson claimed an excellent line out setting up loose head Jamie Dever to scoot in out wide for a fine touchdown. Outhalf Miah Nikora missed out on the extras. Some minutes later right winger Darren Claasen was yellow carded for crossing. The Limerick outfit upped their game at this stage and set up a maul on the visitors five meter line which allowed the home side number three JP Cooney to scramble in for their first try. Outhalf Jamie Gavin added the extras. Just before halftime the outhalf converted an easy penalty in front of posts to leave Dooradoyle outfit leading by ten points to five.
After the break both number ten’s swapped penalty’s it what was a scrappy affair. Midway through the second half Corinthians hooker Joey Merrigan was issued with a yellow card and Gavin had no problem extending the home sides lead. Corinthian’s number ten Nikora slotted a badly needed penalty some minuted later. But as the pressure mounted on the Cloonacauneen outfit with a man down first center James McInerney got through the visitors cover for Garryowen’s second try. Jamie Gavin again added the extras. In fairness to the visitors they never gave up as their pack drove forward at every opportunity. They got got their just deserts as they claimed a five meter scrum driving Garrowen over the try line as tight head Finlay Bealham touched down out wide. Nikora added the extras leaving the Corinthian side side trailing by five points with five minutes remaining on the clock. The referee blew the final whistle some minutes later after an excellent move by center Conor Murphy linking up with Nikora who in turn released the oval ball to left winger Owen Daly as he skated in to the corner flag but was judged to have been held up. The final score Garryowen 23points, Corinthians 18 points. Head coach Pat Cunningham has a bit of work to do to gel the newcomers with the stalwarts as they take on another Limerick outfit next week.
Corinthians next outing is at home to Shannon on Saturday 4th Oct. Kick off 2.30pm.
Corinthian Team; J Dever.J Merrigan.F Bealham.G Warde.D Phelan.J Connolly.M Kelly.E Masterson.P Maher.M Nikora.O Daly.C Murphy.J Buckley.D Griffen.D Claasen. Replacements; P O Toole.M Byrne.C Raftery.M Murphy.C Dillane.
