Report courtesy of Rob Murphy at Corinthian Park
Six tries, extra time and last gasp drama, yet you still wouldn’t call this a great game. It was an early season tussle with some high points but a step below the intensity of the AIB League. Corinthians needed extra time to really find their killer instinct and really should have lost this in normal time; it’s not that they would have deserved to lose it, far from it.
They were the better side overall for long periods throughout but they let Wanderers creep back at them and deep into injury time really should have conceded a drop goal under the posts. The home side had led 14-0 early in the contest with new out half Shane Moynihan showing great footwork and skill to draw the cover with a dummy and canter home. The second try was superbly taken by Pat Cunningham who took a pass of Rory Connellan in a tight channel and conjured up an even more impressive show and go to create the space. The big second row powered home from 20 metres.
Both scores were converted by Moynihan but his side didn’t push on and a Michael Boland penalty followed by a try from winger Paddy Brophy left the score at 14-8 at half time.
The second half saw Corinthians control territory and possession stats early and they extended their lead through the boot of Moynihan but they just didn’t drive home the advantage and Wanderers conjured up a brilliant try.
It involved out half, Warne, centre O’Keefe and a brilliant break from Philip Rowe and was finished off by Craig Dalton in the corner. Boland converted to bring his side within two and when Corinthians got their wires crossed in defence, soon after Ballina born Rowe charged through to collect a loose ball, he cantered home from 40 metres.
Corinthians needed a late Moynihan penalty to level before Wanderers wasted a chance to thereafter to win. In extra time they were punished as the home side dominated with new Connacht signing Thomas Timani getting in for a score after a kick ahead from Moynihan.
Wayne Williams kicked a penalty and Darren Claasens added a drop goal to seal the win. A much stiffer task awaits against UCD this weekend in the opening round of AIB League Division 2 action in Dublin.
Corinthians: D Classens, T Tiomani, R Fobes, W Williams, A Quinn; A Moynihan, M Roche; C O’Shea, D Barden, D Small; S Murphy, P Cunningham; R Connellan, L Carpenter, A Cassanova.
Replacements: S McInearney, D Barber, H Griffin.
Wanderers: M Boland; C Dalton, S Robertson, D O’Keefe, P Brophy; C Warne, W Porter; I easton, A McManhon; Hero T; M Kearney, P Ryan; P Rowe, P Nihill, D O’Connor.
Replacement: D Fitzgerald.
