AIB League: Wins For Con And Trinity

…Cork Constitution celebrating their AIB Cup final win a fortnight ago…

Cork Constitution and Dublin University, two teams at the opposite ends of the spectrum in AIB League Division One, both won their rescheduled fixtures on Saturday.

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, April 22

CORK CONSTITUTION 20 ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 3, Temple Hill

Scorers: Cork Con: Tries: Des Murray, Merle O’Connell, Richard Lane; Con: Lane; Drop: Conor Quaid

St. Mary’s: Pen: Jonathan Sexton

Recently crowned AIB Cup champions Cork Constitution are safely into the Division One semi-finals after Saturday’s three-try defeat of St. Mary’s College.

Although a home draw in the play-offs is frustratingly out of the reach of Brian Walsh’s men, who now sit third in the table – five points behind joint-leaders Clontarf and Garryowen.

Given the fact that the latter two teams are at home relegation-threatened Galwegians and mid-table UCD respectively next Saturday, then in the words of Con captain Frank Cogan, “third is the best” the Leesiders can hope for.

In a repeat of their Cup final triumph over the Dubliners on April 8, Con had little difficulty in chalking up their fifth successive League win. Granted, Ireland Under-21 out-half Jonathan Sexton’s early penalty had Mary’s very much in the hunt and they were just 5-3 down at the break.

But lock Merle O’Connell and full-back Richard Lane, adding to a muscular first half effort from hooker Des Murray, crossed for second half tries to see Con cut clear. Lane converted his own score – his 14th League and Cup try of the season. Conor Quaid, playing at out-half, also kicked a second half drop goal.

…Trinity hooker and captain Matt Crockett…

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY 38 COUNTY CARLOW 10, College Park

Scorers: Dublin Uni: Tries: Matt Crockett, Martin Garvey, Hugh Hogan, Johnny Watt, Gregory Herrera; Cons: Watt 2; Pens: Watt 3

Carlow: Try: Greg Jacob; Con: Jacob; Pen: Jacob

At College Park, Dublin University boosted their chances of avoiding the drop as they ran in five tries against bottom side County Carlow.

The students ran out 38-10 winners to move within two points of their main relegation rivals Galwegians (19 points). Trinity need a win at Con next weekend to have any hope of staying up – they also need ‘Wegians to lose at Clontarf. Trinity hooker and captain Matt Crockett admitted that’s “a big ask” for his side.

Tries from Crockett, back rows Martin Garvey and Hugh Hogan, out-half Johnny Watt and ex-Colomiers back row Gregory Herrera saw Trinity to a second win in four League outings.

Watt, who was capped by the Ulster Under-21s this season, kicked three penalties and two conversions for a 13-point haul. The only high point for Carlow, who were losing for the 14th consecutive time, came late in the second half when out-half Greg Jacob broke through for a converted try. Jacob also kicked a first half penalty as the midlanders trailed by 10-3 at the break.