Corinthians gave themselves a lifeline in the Ulster Bank League when they overcame fellow division 2A relegation strugglers Thomond by 12 - 3 in Fitzgerald Park on Saturday.
Corinthians, with the aid of the wind, were put under early pressure from their Limerick hosts and were penalised twice for infringing. However outhalf Frank McGibney was unable to make any headway into the teeth of the gale with his kicks.
Having held held their line, Corinthians eventually broke out of their half, and some excellent kicking by outhalf Simon Keller set up field position in Thomond's 22. From a resulting lineout captain Colin Raftery secured possession for the pack to maul forward lock Donagh Phelan claiming a much-needed touchdown. Keller was unable to add the extras from out wide.
Thomond started the second half with all guns blazing, but it was not their day as Corinthians held their line with the pack keeping the pressure on their Limerick counterparts.
Corinthian scrumhalf Greg Flaherty gave his opposite number Leo Slattery a torrid time to prevent clean ball, and midway through the second half Raftery again secured line out ball in a position the pack could capitalise. The backrow drove forward into Thomond's goal line, and in their desperate to halt the maul, the home side conceded penalties before the referee awarded a penalty try which Keller converted.
There was enough time for Thomond to stage one more attack, but all they could snatch was a Frank McGibney penalty.
Corinthians have a break from action this weekend before facing Malone at Cloonacauneen on Saturday March 5.
Corinthians: P Noone, S Biggins, D Panter, D McDermott S Keller, G Flaherty, A Bane P O'Toole, A Glynn, C Raftery (capt ), D Phelan, S Connelly M O'Connell, J Connolly. Replacements, E Fa'atua, C Joyce, A Walsh, P Long, O Daly.
