St Mary's dent Con title hopes

Cork Constitution 12 St. Mary’s College 30

Cork Constitution’s title aspirations suffered a sizeable setback as St. Mary’s College stormed to an excellent win at Temple Hill.

St. Mary’s made it three victories in four league games with a sterling effort, particularly in the opening hour.

Hugh Hogan’s side were 30-0 ahead by the 55th minute with backs Steve Toal-Lennon (2) and Matt D’Arcy sharing out the tries.

Cork Con were held scoreless in the first half. It was pedestrian enough fare until just before the interval when winger Toal-Lennon scored his brace.

Johnny Holland missed an early penalty shot for Constitution and St. Mary’s centre Robbie Hudson was unable to finish off the best of few try-scoring opportunities.

Three minutes after the Hudson chance, full-back Gavin Dunne converted a 20-metre penalty to give the Dubliners the lead.

Toal-Lennon broke through for his tries after 32 and 38 minutes, the best of them being a long range intercept effort that saw him outpace the cover.

Dunne added both conversions for a 17-0 scoreline. The Leesiders looked stunned and they were almost out for the count when Dunne landed two penalties early in the second half.

D’Arcy, as busy as ever and playing a real captain’s part in the absence of Richie Sweeney, sniped over for his try as the hour mark approached.

Cork Con raised their game in the final quarter but a losing bonus point was all they could chase. A converted try from lock Brian Hayes got them off the mark in the 66th minute.

Conor Desmond’s touchdown in the 79th minute was mere consolation as St. Mary’s moved up two places to sixth in the table.

Cork Con have now slid to fifth overall, seven points above St. Mary’s but a clear 14 adrift of table toppers Lansdowne.

Scorers:

Cork Constitution: Tries: Brian Hayes, Conor Desmond; Con: Johnny Holland

St. Mary’s College: Tries: Steve Toal-Lennon 2, Matt D’Arcy; Cons: Gavin Dunne 3; Pens: Gavin Dunne 3

HT: Cork Constitution 0 St. Mary’s College 17