It proved to be another memorable visit to the capital for Cork Constitution on Saturday as they ran out comprehensive 30-10 winners over a disappointing Dublin University side at College Park.
There was little to separate the teams during the first half, but a scoring blitz over the closing 40 minutes, which was capped off by an excellent individual try from captain Niall Kenneally, has moved Constitution up to third in Ulster Bank League Division 1A.
Pacy winger Colm Hogan’s 26th-minute try for Trinity, brilliantly converted from the touchline by James Fennelly, had the students ahead before Tomas Quinlan’s third penalty gave the visitors a 9-7 half-time lead.
However, with four consecutive wins under their belts, Con pushed on in the second period. A lone Fennelly penalty was the hosts’ only response to converted tries from forwards Liam O’Connor and Conor Kindregan and impressive centre Kenneally.
Meanwhile, in Division 1B, former leaders UL Bohemians suffered their second defeat in three games as Naas player-coach Johne Murphy emerged as his side's hero in a 13-10 victory at Forenaughts.
Decisive drop-goal
Murphy, playing at outside centre, planted the decisive drop goal through the posts in the 78th minute, keeping the fifth-placed Kildare men within reach of the leading clubs. Fellow former professional Fionn Carr, who will travel to Dubai with the Ireland Men’s Sevens squad this week, crossed for Naas’s first half try.
Ballynahinch are now five points behind Naas in the table after losing an end-to-end Ulster derby to Ballymena, 28-18, at Ballymacarn Park. Number eight Stephen Mulholland and wingers James Beattie and Jordan Foster touched down for the victorious Braidmen.
There were mixed emotions for both Shannon and Old Wesley at the end of an enthralling 24-all draw played in bitterly cold conditions at Coonagh.
A three-try second-half salvo, including a stunning breakaway score from Shane Mullally, had Shannon on the verge of a comeback win, but Wesley winger Barry McLaughlin – now with 103 points to his name already this season – landed the levelling penalty in the 59th minute.
