Cork Con Storm Past St. Mary’s

Cork Constitution got back to winning ways with a fine 22-0 win at Templeville Road, a result which has guaranteed them a home draw in next month's Division 1 semi-finals.

St. Mary's need to beat second-placed Old Belvedere next Saturday to give themselves a shot at reaching the play-offs as Division 1A's third-ranked team.

Young Munster, who visit Dolphin on Sunday and entertain Garryowen in their final game, are their main rivals for that semi-final spot.

Constitution's deadly combination of pace and power, with Munster's Ian Nagle, Denis Fogarty and Scott Deasy to the fore, was too hot for St. Mary's to handle on this particular occasion.

Centre Cyprien Jouve scooted away from the covering Rob Sweeney to score the opening try and help the Leesiders on their way.

Fogarty was fortunate to avoid a sin-binning for a high tackle, but Cork Con were well worth their 10-0 interval lead.

Scrum half Gerry Hurley, fresh from Ireland's brace of Club International wins, kicked a penalty and two conversions and the lively Simon Zebo did the rest of the damage.

Zebo gathered his own chip ahead and avoided Darren Hudson's last-ditch challenge for the first.

The former Ireland Under-20 international then rounded over in the right corner past Stephen Grissing's despairing tackle for his second, following a clever grubber kick from Scott Deasy.

St. Mary's had a strong set piece and Hudson, Ronan Doherty and Grissing had their moments in attack. Replacement Ian McKinley also threatened in the closing stages and Cork Con centre Ivan Dineen was yellow carded as St. Mary's raided forward.

Out-half Gavin Dunne missed a penalty for the hosts but they had precious few other scoring chances and for the most part, Cork Con's well-organised defence kept them at bay. On current form, the defending champions remain the team to beat.

Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU)