Cork Con Hand Buccs An Eight-Try Beating

With five AIB League Division One fixtures falling victim to the bad weather on Saturday, Cork Constitution took full advantage to move back to the top of the table.

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, January 31

CORK CONSTITUTION 47 BUCCANEERS 7, Temple Hill

Scorers: Cork Constitution: Tries: Cronan Healy, Gareth Murray, Billy Holland 2, Evan Ryan, Penalty try, Ed Leamy, Lloyd Gabriel; Cons: Richie Lane 2; Pen: Richie Lane

Buccaneers: Try: Sean Carey; Con: Alan Gaughan

The defending Division One champions racked up over 40 points for the second week running as they ran amok against a disappointing Buccaneers side.

A try from centre Evan Ryan on the stroke of half-time gave Cork Con their bonus point and it was more of the same after the break.

Buccs were hoping to cut down the errors made in last Saturday’s defeat at UCD and they made a blistering start with Sean Carey cutting through for an intercept try after only three minutes.

Alan Gaughan added the conversion but Buccs frustratingly failed to score for the remainder. The hosts quickly re-established control with a run of tries from Cronan Healy, Gareth Murray and Munster back rower Billy Holland.

25-7 ahead at half-time, the Leesiders mercilessly pressedon for more points.

There was little or no wind and with the pitch holding up well, the home backs, including Munster full-back Denis Hurley, moved the ball wide time and again.

Hurley’s provincial team-mate, Denis Fogarty, took on the hooking duties for Con.

The Buccs defence struggled to keep tabs on the danger men and further tries for Holland, Ed Leamy and Lloyd Gabriel, allied to a penalty try, finished off this one-sided encounter.