Cork Con end 2018 on high
AIL
TERENURE COLLEGE……………………..14
CORK CONSTITUTION……………………..34
Daire Walsh
ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE division one A leaders Cork Constitution ended 2018 on a high by recording a convincing bonus-point victory over Terenure College at Lakelands Park on Saturday afternoon.
After a penalty try helped them to establish a 20-7 interval cushion, Jason Higgins and Patrick Casey crossed over on the resumption to underline Con’s position as the pace-setters.
Ahead of their latest showdown with Terenure – who they defeated in last season’s semi-final at the same venue – Con were four points clear of defending champions Lansdowne at the summit of the top-flight. Adverse weather conditions ensured this game took place on an all-weather surface.
The Leesiders have already faced Lansdowne and Clontarf in similar circumstances during this campaign, but they suffered an early set-back in their latest away encounter.
Joe McSwiney was sin-binned in the ninth-minute – after leading into ‘Nure openside Rory Murray with a high elbow. This initially heralded a sustained spell of possession for the hosts, before Con developed a familiar rhythm up front.
Aidan Moynihan’s successful 17th-minute penalty was an ideal settler for the visitors and the reliable fly-half doubled his side’s lead beyond the first-quarter mark with another place-kick special.
Once they were restored to their full compliment, Con’s next task was to break down ‘Nure’s stern defensive resistance. A massive carry into enemy territory by skipper Niall Kenneally set them on their way and loosehead Gavin Duffy was on hand to dot down in clinical style.
While ‘Nure had struggled to create a consistent attacking platform, they established a firm footing inside the Con half towards the end of the opening period. Their decision to run a close-range proved to be a shrewd decision, as scrum-half Mark O’Neill dived over for a try that was supplemented by a James Thornton conversion.
There was enough time for Con to strike a late blow for their Metropolitan counterparts, however. A powerful 38th-minute line-out maul guided the five-time champions towards the whitewash – and referee Jonathan Peak ultimately awarded a penalty try.
With a 13-point advantage at their disposal, Brian Hickey’s charges were on course to record their eighth league triumph of the term. It proved a stop-start third-quarter for the most part – a series of scrums halting momentum at either end of the field.
A rolling maul on the hour mark edged Con back into the danger zone, only for ‘Nure to secure a turnover scrum. Yet, this only acted as a temporary release for James Blaney’s under siege side.
When Moynihan elected for touch off another attacking penalty, it paid rich dividends. The ensuing set-piece was rounded of by Higgins’ powerful finish.
Moynihan increased his personal tally to give Con a 20-point cushion – effectively forcing the outcome beyond Terenure’s reach. Although they might have been forgiven if they took their foot off the gas, Con were hell-bent on returning home with maximum points to their name.
They managed to do just that with 12 minutes left to the play, when replacement front-row Patrick Casey completed a swift counter attack. Centre Adam La Grue had been one of ‘Nure’s finest performers on the day and he offered the south Dubliners a degree of solace in the closing moments.
His lung-bursting break out of defence allowed former Connacht Academy star Matthew Byrne to dot down unopposed, while Thornton’s quick drop-kick secured the extras. This wasn’t enough to spoil the party for Con, who are now five points clear of the chasing pack moving into the New Year.
Scorers for Terenure College: Mark O’Neill, Matthew Byrne try each, James Thornton 2 cons.
Scorers for Cork Constitution: Gavin Duffy, Jason Higgins, Patrick Casey try each, Penalty Try and con, Aidan Moynihan 2 pens, 3 cons.
TERENURE COLLEGE: Matthew Byrne; Erik Witjen, Adam Lagrue, Conor Kelly, Sam Coghlan Murray; James Thornton, Mark O’Neill; Tiarnan Creagh, Robert Smyth, Jack Aungier; Michael Melia, Matthew Caffrey; Adam Clarkin, Rory Murray, Eoin Joyce.
Replacements: Risteard Byrne, Conor McCormack, Kyle McCoy, Sam Dardis, Thomas Burke.
CORK CONSITUTION: Shane Daly; Liam O’Connell, Alex McHenry, Niall Kenneally, Rob Jermyn; Aidan Moynihan, Jason Higgins; Gavin Duffy, Vincent O’Brien, Brian Scott, Conor Kindregan, Brian Hayes; Joe McSwiney, Kevin Sheahan, Luke Cahill.
Replacements: Patrick Casey, Brendan Quinlan, Sean Duffy, Richard Cassidy, Sean French.
Referee: Jonathan Peak (IRFU).