Coach happy as rampant Con close to place in play-offs

Belfast Harlequins 22 Cork Constitution 53

A delighted coach Brian Walsh reflected: “We did most of the damage in the second half, but we laid the foundations in the first.”

Playing into the teeth of a gale, Constitution led 17-8 at the interval, a situation due as much to their own tenacity as Harlequins’ inability to adapt to the conditions.

With good possession early on, the home side ran everything instead of playing for position, but they ran up against a crafty Constitution defence and got little for their efforts.

Constitution were also very good at turning over possession and clinical in their counter offensives.

First half tries from Cronan Healy and Mike Ross, two conversions, and a penalty from Darragh Lyons helped the visitors into a position of power over their Belfast rivals, who could only manage a try, from Rowan Frost, and a penalty from Michael Glancy.

“Harlequins did look dangerous when they got the ball wide, but they probably played into our hands in that first-half,” said Walsh.

“There’s a time to run it and a time not to. I thought we coped with the conditions better and we made good use of our possession. Against the wind, it was a question of doing the basics right. Collectively, this was a very good performance,” he added.

Walsh is now confident of making the cut: “At least, it’s in our own hands now. Coming to Belfast, we realised that Harlequins would view this as a must-win game. It was probably their last chance of finishing in the top four. We knew it was going to be physical and were prepared for that.

“There is a great work ethic within this squad and I’m happy that they reaped the rewards. We’re at the stage where we don’t take anything for granted. The lads go on the pitch prepared to work very hard for anything that comes their way.

“We have tried to set new standards in the way players are expected to work for one another and it’s starting to pay dividends,” he said.

There was never any doubt but that hard work, allied to quality play, would pay off, and Constitution got the perfect start to the second-half when Conrad O’Sullivan went in for a try that Lyons converted. From that point on, Harlequins were under the cosh and the always-threatening Healy secured the bonus point for the visitors with a 57th minute try.

Substitute out half Conor Quaid pressed Constitution’s advantage home with another try and Richard Lane got the sixth to establish a 39-8 lead.

Constitution sat back, however, and Harlequins struck twice within two minutes.

Darren Cave and Mark Kettyle went in for tries and Glancy converted both to pull the Constitution lead back to 17 as the match came to a close.

Constitution had more in reserve in injury time, however, as Ed Leamy came on to grabbed an 81st minute try that Quaid converted - and the replacement out half scored again, two minutes later, from an interception, converting from in front of the posts.

Walsh singled out captain Frank Cogan for special mention, and criticised the selectors of the Irish club side to meet Scotland later this week.

Not one Constitution player made that squad of 22, and Walsh isn’t alone in wondering why Cogan, particularly, won’t feature.

“Frank has been head and shoulders above any other number eight in the AIB League this season and it’s a disgrace that he isn’t in the side. Ultimately, it probably helped motivate the team because one or two other players have reason to feel hard done by. Their loss was our gain,” said Walsh.

Referee. D. Keane (Leinster).