Corinthians came out on the wrong side of a tight game against fellow strugglers Shannon in Coonagh Park on Saturday.
Despite losing by 15-12, Corinthians moved off the bottom of the Ulster Bank League division 1B table as a result of UL Bohs’ heavy defeat to Ballymena in Ulster.
Played with great intensity, Corinthians enjoyed the elements in the first half, but Shannon side drew first blood after 15 minutes when No 8 Lee Nicholas claimed the touchdown home from a stolen line-out and Shane McNamara converted.
Although Corinthian outhalf Conor Murphy missed a penalty chance, Corinthians drew level when captain James Buckley supplied Dwayne Corcoran who crossed, with Murphy adding the extras.
However a yellow card to Eoghan Masterson provided the home side with impetus, with scrumhalf Dave Evans touching down from a forward drive for a 12-7 half-time lead.
The second half was just as tight. Excellent defence from Corinthians, particularly the centre duo of Charlie Ryan and Cian Begley, kept Shannon at bay, and when Shannon outhalf Tadhg Bennett was sinbinned, Corinthians seized the opportunity. Marc Kelly, Pat O' Toole and Joey Merrigan did the donkey work, and from an ensuing penalty veteran second row Gary Warde scrambled over to level the scores.
The home side regained the initiative and although substitute centre Phil Maher saved a certain try, Corinthians conceded a penalty for foul play, which McNamara slotted to secure a narrow win. Corinthians: D Griffin, J Buckley (cpt ), C Ryan, C Begley, D Corcoran, C Murphy, M Murphy, M Byrne, J Merrigan, C Hansberry, G Warde, M Kelly, P O'Toole, J Connolly, E Masterson. Replacements; D Hanberry, A Bane, D Phelan, P Maher, P Nooone.
