Corinthians traveled with great hopes to Gibson Park to take on Malone last Saturday having taken their scalp in the earlier part of the season. The westerns got off to a bright start as they were awarded a penalty by IRFU referee Shane Kierans as the home side back row were over enthusiastic at the break down. Second center Dyayne Corcoran slotted same to give his side an early lead. Right winger Neil Burns leveled the scoring some minutes later as the visitors were penalized for fouling in the lineout. The Northerners extended their lead on the half hour as the visiting side allowed their scrum to wheel illegally. Burns was the scorer of same. The real turning point of the contest came from a Malone scrum which on securing the oval ball they drove forward from the opposition twenty two and driving over the whitewash to secure a mighty touch down. The home side hooker Paul Jackson claimed the score and Burns added the extras. The referee called for half time at this stage leaving the home side leading by thirteen points to three points. The Galway side number eight Eoghan Masterson had to retire at the break due to a back injury which was a big loss to his team.
Corinthians missed out on a kickable penalty immediately after the oranges. But they stayed positive and again worked their way over the home side twenty two metre line. Right winger Darren Griffen set up play and was assisted by flanker James Connolly and evergreen scrum half Mickey Murphy lock Mark Byrne also assisted in the drive forward. The Ulster boys were eventually pulled for foul play in front of their posts. Corcoran converted the ensuing penalty but that was as good as it got for the Connaught side. The home side added another two touch downs in the last quarter the first of which scored again by Jackson. Their third try was scored by their scrum half John Creighton who side stepped in under the posts. Burns again added the extras to the two tries. The visitors never gave up and were rewarded with an excellent touch down after a great maul by their pack allowing the scrum half to get the oval ball out wide for newcomer Niyi Adeolokun to score his first try for Corinthians. Alas it was too little too late as the referee blew for full time. The only consolation for the the traveling supporters was to see Corinthians club captain James Buckley back playing a cameo roll for the last few minutes of the contest after been out injured for some months.
Final score Malone 27 points Corinthians 11 points.
Corinthian Team; D McDermott.D Griffin.D Corcoran.C Evans.N Adeolokun.D Panter.M Murphy.A Bane.J Merrigan.(capt).C Hansberry.C Raftery.M Byrne.M Kelly.J Connolly.E Masterson; Replacements; A Glynn.M O’Connell.R Stanley.C Begley.J Buckley.
Corinthians next outing is at home to Garryowen on Saturday 10th of January. Kick off 2.30pm. Venue Cloonacauneen Park
