Corinthians have fallen to the bottom of the Ulster Bank League division 1B table after suffering their eighth loss this season.
The second half of the season has not been good for the Galway outfit, which at one stage had looked comfortable in a midtable position. However on Saturday Corinthians posted their second loss in the New Year in what was always going to be a difficult challenge against promotion hopefuls Garryowen. Now with six fixtures remaining, four of which are away, they will have to knuckle down to retain their division 1b status.
Garryowen, visitors to a wet and windy Cloonacauneen on Saturday, posted a bonus point 39-10 win.
Although slow enough to get going as the home side repulsed every attack, they took a 15 - 0 lead into the break. Garryowen outhalf Jamie Gavin posted a penalty for offside before they struck for their first try on the half hour when prop Ben Rowley secured the oval ball from a five-metre line-out and darted over the white wash. Gavin added the extras before he scored his side’s second try on the stroke of half time.
With a 15-point deficit the Cloonacauneen outfit upped their game and were rewarded when they mauled their way into their five-metre line. Scrumhalf Mickey Murphy gathered the ball before centre Cian Begley linked with partner Dwayne Corcoran, who ran in for an excellent touch down in the corner. Outhalf Conor Murphy kicked a mighty convert in the difficult conditions, and a few minutes later he added another three points to narrow the deficit to 15 - 10.
However the home side were unable to add their score. Garryowen substitute centre Jamie Glynn’s counterattack resulted in a third try for the Limerick outfit and as Corinthians panicked, Garryowen took advanatage to run in three more tries, two of which Gavin converted.
Corinthians now face a crucial challenge away to Shannon on January 31. Corinthians: D Panter, N Adeolokun, D Corcoran, C Begley, D Griffen, C Murphy, M Murphy, M Byrne, J Merrigan (cpt ), C Hansbury, D Hansbury, G Warde, M Kelly, M O'Connell, C Raftery; Replacements:A Bane, C Dillane, D Joyne, D Joyce, P Noone, O Daly.
