McCarthy penalty allows Con keep unbeaten record
Con played into a stiff wind in the first half and were 6-0 down at half time as a result of an Ian Humphreys drop goal after 14 minutes and a Dirkie Strydom penalty.
Indeed, Strydom could have extended thate lead, but he missed three of four attempts in that first half and in the second period he was instrumental in Con scoring the only try of the game.
Eighteen minutes from time Strydom attempted a clearaence, but saw it blocked and it was the Cork side’s French centre, Jean-Vincent Igarza who reacted quickest to the rebound and he scored a try which McCarthy failed to convert.
McCarthy then missed a penalty with the clock running down, but made amends with two minutes left with a penalty from in front of the posts.
Con are now just a point ahead of Shannon at the head of the table, but the pair are 11 points ahead of Buccaneers and the title now seems to be a two-horse race.
Buccaneers had a weekend off, but Belfast Harlequins, who are just behind them, failed to take advantage when getting comprehensively beaten at home by Blackrock on a 19-7 scoreline.
Carlow blitzed Dungannon with three tries in the opening 10 minutes at Stevenson Park, from where they emerged with a 27-17 victory.
Dolphin’s bid to stay in the top echelon stuttered at Belfield Park when they went down 20-13 to UCD. UCD had tries from Hickey-Dwyer, Croke and David Blaney, as against just one by Andrew Finn for the visitors .
At the bottom of the table, Galwegians’ survival in Division One looks ropey after their ninth defeat in ten games. They lost comprehensively - 27-8 - to Garryowen and relegation is now a very real threat .
In a vital game at Lansdowne Road, Lansdowne beat St. Mary’s 29-10 and Brent Pope’s outfit are also now deep in relegation territory. Lansdowne leap-frog Mary’s and, with only four games left, they have a lot of work to do to remain secure in Division One.
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