IT was only in the final 20 minutes of this encounter that Terenure managed to click into top gear and eventually pull away at Lakelands Park on Saturday.

Terenure were unable to breach a well marshalled Constitution defence until the 30th minute when Peter O'Malley crossed over for the first of his two tries.

The home side did have chances to notch up some points but their place kicker Girvan Dempsey missed three kickable penalties.

After Dempsey's failed penalty attempts Terenure decided to change place kickers and it proved to be an inspired decision. Man of the match, Derek Hegarty, stepped up to convert O'Malley's try and six minutes later he added a penalty to his side's tally.

The visitors eventually opened their account in the 38th when outhalf Ronan O'Gara kicked a penalty. Constitution started the second half with great spirit and were rewarded when O'Gara kicked a second penalty.

But as the match approached the final quarter Terenure began to put some daylight between the teams. Hegarty slotted over a penalty in the 60th minute and from there on it was one way traffic.

Dempsey, with two, and O'Malley added further tries, one of which Hegarty converted to ensure a comprehensive victory.