Corinthians will be hoping to put their All Ireland League back on track this weekend after a surprise loss to lowly Old Crescent at Rosbrien on Saturday.
The Galway outfit return to Cloonacauneen for Saturday’s fixture with Old Wesley (2.30pm ), having suffered an unexpected blow in their division two campaign when falling by 14 - 9 last weekend.
The Galway side, with the wind in the first half, started poorly against an Old Crescent outfit second from the bottom. However the hosts dominated the opening 20 minutes and were rewarded with a penalty which outhalf Frank Lawlor struck well. Then from the kick off Crescent gained position again and drove up the pitch, setting up Lawler for a drop goal.
The Cloonacauneen outfit, down by six point, were at sixes and sevens as the hosts continued to control the game. On 30 minutes Crescent grabbed the game’s only try when winger Kevin Ryan touched down from scrumhalf Daithi Fitzgerald’s grubber kick.
Corinthians finally gained a foothold in the contest with outhalf Shane Mulally converting two penalties late in the half to reduce the deficit to 11 - 6 at the break.
However Old Crescent continued to pressure Corinthians with Fitzgerald adding a penalty to extend the lead to 14 - 6. It was only then Corinthians gained control with the pack dominating, with front row forwards Denis Buckley and Joe Merrigan to the fore. However they failed to break through Old Crescent’s defence until a penalty from replacement outhalf Conor Murphy gave them a losing bonus point at the death.
Galwegians
Galwegians continue their division one campaign away to Bruff on Saturday. The city slump slumped to another heavy defeat at home to Lansdowne last weekend, and they look set to face a relegation play-off with the fifth placed division two side.
