Corinthians 19

Wanderers 18

By John Mulligan

In a weekend where late finishes were the norm, a try from Ian Staunton five minutes into injury-time, combined with a Jack Conway conversion, gave Corinthians a crucial win over Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.

With a third of the season gone, this win might be more important than realised as it put Corinthians into second in the table and while Barnhall are the team to beat, the win keeps them within touching distance of the leaders.

It could not have started any worse for the home side: a penalty try for Wanderers after just four minutes had Corinthians trailing and despite having most of the possession and several chances could not get through. Wanderers also had chances and with strong running through the middle, created some of their own only to find the Corinthians defence in good form.

While no score was forthcoming, it was for the want of effort on both sides and in fact, it was incredible that there was no further score until just before half-time when it was Corinthians’ turn to be awarded a penalty try after a rolling maul which also led to a yellow card for Wanderers second-row, Mark O’Reilly.

All square at half-time and a nervy second-half awaited but what was said at the break had the desired effect as both teams went for it. First Corinthians winder Sean Fox scored in the corner following a free-kick; before Karl Madden responded with one for the visitors, diving inside the cover in a ruck on the Corinthians line.

A David Fitzgibbon penalty in the 23rd minute put his side in front, and when he added a second two minutes into injury-time, it looked to have been enough to seal the win for the visitors, but Corinthians have shown to have character and with five minutes of injury time played at the end of the second-half, they created one last chance.

Colm De Buitlear, who again shone throughout, fed Fox who sprinted for the line but was held up short of the line, his pass found Rory King, who was hauled into touch. However, the full-back had smartly gone to ground to set up, and Wanderers were penalised for not releasing.

Corinthians had two options, kick for the corner or tap and go, and they went for the latter. Mark Boyle tapped and drove for the line only to be stopped short. In an incredible period of possession that lasted a minute, Staunton collected the ball and drove over.

Pictured: Corinthians celebrate following Ian Staunton’s try five minutes into injury-time. Photos: Owen Nally Photography.