Having lost to a rampant Dublin University by 31-13 in last weekend’s Ulster Bank League action, Corinthians slipped a place in the division 1B league.
Dublin University’s heavier pack dominated the proceedings from the start, and although Corinthians held out for 15 minutes, they could not stop right winger Brian Mullin crossing for the opening try.
Strong defence from veteran lock Gary Warde and flanker Marc Kelly prevented a second students’ try before Corinthians eventually got in to the contest with fullback Conor Murphy delivering some fine line touches, and when Trinity conceded a penalty in the maul, outhalf Craig Ronaldson opened the scoring.
The students stretched their lead in the 36th minute when they worked their way into the opposition 22, stole a Corinthian lineout, and second row Raef Tyrrell dived over the try line to extend their lead to 10-3.
With seconds left before half time, an attack launched by Corinthians’ prop Mark Byrne after mopping up loose ball resulted in a second penalty and Ronaldson slotted to close the gap to 10-6. Within minutes after the restart Corinthians took the lead when a turnover by centre Dwayne Corcoran was finished with a Conor Murphy try, which Ronaldson converted.
However that was as good as it got for the Cloonacauneen outfit. Three McDermott penalties put the home side back in front by six points 10 minutes from time before they delivered the killer blow after Corinthians were pinged again. From a penalty to touch scrumhalf Angus Lloyd galloped in for their third touchdown, and with their tails up, they grabbed possession from the restart and mauled their way into the 22 before replacement scrumhalf Andy Keating skated in for their fourth try, which McDermott converted.
Corinthians: C Murphy, D Classen, D Corcoran, D Panter, D Griffin, C Ronaldson, P Maher, M Byrne, J Merrigan (cpt ), A Bane, U Dillane, G Warde, C Raftery, M Kelly, R Stanley. Replacements, D Joyce, A Glynn, M Murphy, C Ryan, C Dillane.
