hCorinthians have crept up to second place in the AIB League division three with a solid run of form that continued against lowly Barnhall on Saturday.
The Galway outfit, in third place before last weekend’s round, did enough to edge Barnhall by 18 - 12 and keep pace with league leaders Portadown.
This now sets up a great local derby on Saturday (2.30pm ) against Connemara in the last game before the Christmas break.
Corinthians will be favourites for this clash at Cloonacauneen, but last weekend Connemara forced a great 9 - 9 draw against Midleton, who had been in second place. Connemara never make it easy for Corinthians, who will be looking to continue their push for the top. Interestingly leaders Portadown are just one point ahead of Corinthians in the division three table, and they face the long trek to Midleton on Saturday.
In division one Galwegians have another opportunity to get back to winning ways when they host Young Munster at Crowley Park.
Last weekend Galwegians, having enjoyed a 7-5 half time lead, lost their way against Dolphin who ran out convincing 29 - 14 winners. As a result Galwegians have slipped from fifth place to 11th in the last two weeks with three wins from six outings.
However Galwegians will be targeting Saturday’s encounter with Young Munster, and they simply must post a victory if they are to make a sustained push for the top eight. There is no better time. Young Munster have just one win to date, but that should also warn Galwegians not to take anything for granted - that was a 21 - 16 win over Cork Constitution.
Last weekend Corinthians ground out the necessary result, despite a disruptive opening 30 minutes in which both sides made plenty of errors.
Barnhall missed two kickable penalty opportunities in this time, while Corinthians also spurned two. However they got on the scoreboard with a try by winger Dave Murphy, set up by a Wayne Williams’ slip pass to lead at the break by 5-0.
The start of the second half started well for Corinthians, with Barnhall giving away a penalty after one of their back row infringed on their 22, which Williams converted.
The home side hit back with a fine converted try from Ben McCarthy, but Corinthians kept in front with another Williams penalty. Not long after, from a well-taken lineout by Pat Cunningham, Williams made good ground before off loading to full back Darren Classens who came into the line at speed to get the touch down. With Williams adding the extras, Corinthians had stretched the lead to 18 - 7.
Barnhall did respond with a try after Williams was sinbinned, but it was not enough to stop Corinthians extending their recent run of victories.
