Con go top with four-try win

Galwegians 24 Cork Constitution 37

Cork Con came from behind at Crowley Park to temporarily move top of AIB Division One with this four-try win this afternoon.

Scrum-half Pat McCarthy scored 17 points to save their bacon against an improving Galwegians.

The early kick-off to facilitate Connacht's Celtic Cup semi-final against Edinburgh took its toll on David Corkery's side as it was the home team who took an early advantage.

Having relied on the boot of out-halves Eric Elwood and David Delaney in their three previous losses this season, Galwegians finally got their first try of the season with centre Darren Balcombe cutting over from close range.

Winger John Cleary also got in on the act with an opening period try converted by David Delaney, with the out-half adding two penalties for their half-time tally of 18 points.

Con scored two of their own through full-back Dave O'Brien and Cronin Healy. Both were converted by McCarthy before the scrum-half's first penalty put the score at 18-17 after 50 minutes.

Constitution's powerful pack soon gave their impressive back line further chances.

Lock Shane O'Connor notched their third try to move them into the lead, and replacement hooker Denis Fogarty got the all-important bonus point try in the final minutes to seal a 13-point

victory.

Delaney kept Galwegians in touch with four second-half penalties, but Con's first bonus point of the season sees the westerners still bottom of the table with no points.

Scorers:

Galwegians: Tries: Balcombe, Cleary; Pen: Delaney 4; Con: Delaney .

Cork Con: Tries: O'Brien, Healy, O'Connor, Fogarty; Pen: McCarthy 3; Con: McCarthy 4.