Corinthians secured a 19-7 win against Cashel RFC to maintain their push for the top four in the Ulster Bank League’s division 2A.
The Tipp outfit had travelled to Galway with an unbeaten record, but came unstuck by a dominant home side that came up just short of a bonus-point win.
Cashel started strongly enough, but missed two penalies and it was the home side which opened the scoring when it took advantage of penalty kicked to touch with fullback Conor Murphy crossing out wide. O’Flynn added the extras to put the home side 7-0 up after 15 minutes.
Although Cashel outfit used their heavier pack to drive forward at every opportunity, the Corinthian backrow stood strong, especially flankers Aurelion Casanova and Sean Gerrity. With half time approaching the Cloonacauneen outfit were again on the score board after man of the match number eight Aaron Conneely collected the ball on his own 25, linked with captain Fionn Gormley and the move finished with Darren Classens touching down out wide.
The home side continued to dominate in the second half with Buckley skating under the posts for a third try with O’Flynn adding the extras.
When Corinthian second row Mark Byrne was yellow-carded, Cashel capitalised with captain Brendan O’Connor grabbing a consolation try which was converted by fullback Pat O’Connor.
Corinthians: C Murphy, D Classen, J Buckley, F Gormley (capt ), E Daly, M O’Flynn, S Bruce, F Bealham, K O’Byrne, T Toolan, M Byrne, U Dillane, A Casanova, S Gerrity, A Conneely. Subs, M Lee, B Murphy, M Flynn, E Flynn, B Dixon.
Domestic rugby results: J1B, Castlebar 13 Ballinasloe 0; Buccaneers 31 Ballyhaunis 5; Schools’ Senior Connacht Premier League, Sligo Grammar 54 St Joseph’s College 0; Schools’ u-16 Connacht Premier League (South ), Garbally College 0 Marist College 15; Schools’ u-16 Connacht Premier League (North ), Rice College 0 Sligo Grammar 66; St Gerald’s Castlebar 24 Summerhill 19; Schools’ u-16 NW Connacht Regional League, St Muiredachs 19 St Marys Ballygar 13.
