BALLYMENA staged a successful comeback when they took two vital league points away from Cork Constitution at Templehill on Saturday. In the process Ballymena ended Constitution's hopes of launching a late challenge for the title.

In ways, however, it was Constitution's own fault. They were without internationals Paul Burke and Gabriel Fulcher but had plenty of opportunities to put the game beyond reach by the interval. Instead, they failed to take their chances and had to be sat is fled with an 11 point advantage at the interval.

Constitution were particularly dominant in the opening quarter but fullback Dave O'Brien who took over the kicking duties from Burke, was unable to take advantage of the chances that came his way.

He had to be satisfied with two out of five kickable penalty attempts and Constitution had their only try from international flanker, David Corkery, who was in top form.

Things changed after the interval, however, and with Davy Tweed and Gary Longwell dominating the line outs, Constitution were forced back into defence.

Derek McAleese kicked an early penalty and then converted a try by the rampant Tweed to leave Con hanging on to a one point advantage going into the last few minutes. It was then that the visitors took advantage, McAleese moved to outhalf to replace the injured Rick McIllmoyle and dropped a goal in the 77th minute. With victory secure he put over another in injury time to leave Con's title challenge in tatters.