Corinthians were edged out by more enterprising UL Bohs on Saturday in Cloonacauneen Park, losing 14-12 in the Ulster Bank League division 1B.
The home side was not helped by the late withdrawal of left wing Darren Griffin who suffered a head knock in the warm-up, but with the wind advantage, they took a 7-0 lead after 25 minutes.
When UL Bohs lock Craig Irwin was sent to the sideline, Corinthians capitalised with a superb scrum, driving across the line and winning a penalty try, which fullback Conor Murphy converted for a 7-0 half-time lead.
Immediately after the break Corinthians right winger Darin Classen grabbed a second try from an intercept inside his half to stretch the lead to 12-0.
However the home failed to protect their lead, and when trying to run the ball, Bohs’ man of the match Shane Airey intercepted to run in for the visitors’ first points, and convert.
Despite solid work from the home pack, especially lock Mark Byrne, young flanker David Joyce, and veteran Gary Warde, Corinthians were unable to make headway. And with eight minutes remaining Airey found a mighty touch into Corinthians’ five metre line which resulted in scrumhalf Craig Miller scrambling over. Airey added the extras to give them a two point lead and the win to overtake the Galway club in the league table.
Corinthians: C Murphy, D Classen, D McDermott, C Ryan, O Daly, P Noone, P Maher, A Bane, J Merrigan (cpt ), C Hansbury, M Byrne, G Warde, A Broderick, D Joyce, C Raftery. Replacements: M O'Connell, A Glynn, D Hansbury, M Murphy.
