Corinthians lost their long-held second spot in the Ulster Bank League’s division 1B after falling to runaway winners Terenure on Saturday.
Corinthians’ 21-12 defeat has given fellow Connacht club Buccaneers the opportunity to maintain their push for that vital pay-off berth, and their 32-18 win over Blackrock College at Dubarry Park has seen them overtake Corinthians by a single point.
As a result the promotion play-off spot is still very much up for grabs with Corinthians and Buccaneers the leading challengers, and UL Bohs, two points behind, also maintaining an outside chance.
However Corinthians appear to have the easier run-in to complete this season’s league. After this weekend’s Heineken Cup break, Corinthians host Belfast Harlequins at Cloonacauneen before travelling to Malone for the final fixture, while Buccs play UL Bohs and champions Terenure.
Corinthian president Declan Russell is calling on all Corinthian supporters to lend their support to the team in this crucial final home fixture of the season.
Last weekend Corinthians started well with an early try from outhalf Conor Murphy, and although dominating possession, they failed to add to their score. The hosts took the a 7-5 when outhalf Mark O'Neill crossed under the posts and added the extras, and they maintained the momentum when scrumhalf Kevin O’Neill dived over after a strong forward drive early in the second half. Worse followed for Corinthians when Terenure’s prop Gary Hamilton turned over lineout ball and scrambled in for a third touch down. Corinthians’ only score of the half came from lock Gary Warde who was rewarded with a late try.
Corinthians: D Panter, D Classin, F Gormley (cpt ), C Begley, B Dixon, C Murphy, M Murphy, M Byrne, J Merrigan, A Glynn, U Dillane, G Warde, C Raftery, J Burns, D Phelan. Subs, K Keogh, P O'Toole, T Stapleton, M Walsh, R Connellan.
