Corinthians return to Cloonacauneen on Saturday in search of a second win in this season’s Ulster Bank League division 1B campaign when they face Shannon (2.30pm ).
Having coming away from Dooadoyle last weekend with just a losing bonuspoint (23-18 ), Pat Cunningham will have his side primed when they take on a struggling Shannon that have yet to post a win this season.
Last weekend discpline proved costly for Corinthians in a scrappy encounter with Garryowen. After an edgy start, Corinthians were first on the scoreboard when No 8 Eoghan Masterson claimed an excellent line-out, setting up loose head Jamie Dever who scooted in out wide for a fine touchdown, which outhalf Miah Nikora failed to convert.
Crucially Corinthians found themselves a man down when minutes later right winger Darin Claasen was yellow-carded for crossing. The Limerick outfit took advantage, upped their game and set up a maul on the visitors five metre line with prop JP Cooney scrambling in for their first try. Outhalf Jamie Gavin added the extras before kicking a penalty in front of posts to leave Dooradoyle outfit leading by 10-5 at the break.
Both outhalves swapped penalties after the resumption, but in a scrappy affair, Corinthians were again penalised with hooker Joey Merrigan sent to the sidelines with a yellow card and Gavin had no problem extending the home side’s lead. Nikora, however, slotted a much-needed penalty some minutes later, but as the pressure mounted Garryowen centre James McInerney broke the visitors’ cover for Garryowen's second try with Gavin again converting.
In fairness the visitors never gave up as their pack drove forward at every opportunity and they were rewarded when prop Finlay Bealham claimed a try from a driving a five metre scrum. Nikora added the extras leaving the Corinthian side side trailing by five points with five minutes remaining.
Corinthians again attacked and an excellent move involving centre Conor Murphy and Nikora, resulted in left winger Owen Daly skating in to the corner flag. However he was judged to have been held up.
Corinthians: J Dever, J Merrigan, F Bealham, G Warde, D Phelan, J Connolly, M Kelly, E Masterson, P Maher, M Nikora, O Daly, C Murphy, J Buckley, D Griffen, D Claasen. Replacements, P O Toole, M Byrne, C Raftery, M Murphy, C Dillane.
