Corinthians play their final division two home match of this season’s Ulster Bank League when they host first-time visitors Ballymena to Cloonacauneen on Saturday (2.30pm ).
Corinthians, now in eighth place in the division, have all but accepted they will not be able to attain fifth place for the opportunity of a play-off with the bottom placed division 1B side for promotion. That hope was dented last weekend when they lost to Bective Rangers at Donnybrook by 18 - 13, while this week’s Ulster visitors retain high hopes of promotion, sitting currently in fourth place.
Corinthians were unable to capitalise on opportunities in Donnybrook on Saturday, missing three first-half penalties, while Bective grabbed their chance when centre Derek Daly crossed for a converted try from an intercept to lead 7 - 0 at the break.
After the break Corinthian outhalf Conor Murphy and his counterpart Gearoid O’Grady exchanged penalties before the visitors were rewarded with a try. An expansive backline move resulted in fullback Darren Classens touching down, while Murphy converted to level the game.
The home side edged ahead when O’Grady kicked another penalty, but they clinched the game with 10 minutes remaining when winger William Hanley broke through the Corinthian defence to touch down in the corner.
With time running out Conor Murphy kicked a super touchline penalty to ensure Corinthians grabbed a losing bonus point, but it may not have been enough to secure a possible promotion play-off.
Corinthians: D Classens, J Buckley, C Begley, W Williams, F Gormley, C Murphy, M Dolan, D Buckley, J Merrigan, T Toolan, G Warde, S Murphy, P Cunningham, B McCann, S Gerrity.
