Constitution leave no doubts

It was to prove a seminal test for two genuine title contenders, an examination of credentials. Cork Constitution left Lakelands Park last Saturday with their reputation considerably enhanced while Terenure's bright start to the season has dulled quickly over the last two matches in defeat to Shannon and Con.

Terenure coach Kevin Putt's initial reaction after Saturday's game was to accentuate the positive - he pointed out they won the second half 10-3 - obviously a subscriber to the half-full rather than half-empty glass mindset. What he can't have failed to realise that there was an appreciable gulf in class on the day.

Cork Constitution led 31-6, producing some exquisite passages in the first half that moved coach Brian Hickey to say: "It was outstanding. After the initial setback (they conceded on early penalty) we played some brilliant rugby over the next 15 to 20 minutes. We played a varied game and after we were down to 14 men, I think we showed our true character."

Hickey refers to the sending-off of prop Ian Murray for punching, albeit a reaction to Terenure flanker Peter O'Malley's use of his knees at a breakdown: the latter was yellow carded by referee Alain Rolland. Scrumhalf Brian O'Meara contributed 19 points, Conor Mahony was considered man of the match and the pack played extremely well. Constitution lead the table by three points now and on this form will soon be unbackable to at least make the play-offs.

Ballymena's pursuit of the Cork team suffered a slight hiccup when they drew with a resurgent Garryowen at Dooradoyle. Mark Blair scored two tries for the visitors, with their other points coming from the boot of scrumhalf Neil Doak. Garryowen's tally came from the placed ball with Jeremy Staunton contributing five penalties to Killian Keane's one.

Galwegians continued their excellent start to the season with a victory over Blackrock at Stradbrook. Despite being outplayed territorially for much of the first half, the Connacht side demonstrated great character and organisation to limit the damage to the concession of eight points, a penalty from Alan McGowan and a try by a hard working Leo Cullen.

Galwegians' riposte was swift. A beautifully executed lineout gambit close to the Blackrock line yielded a try for Peter Bracken. The visitors struck again before the interval, Tim Allnutt making serious yardage and fellow centre Gavin Duffy providing a long flat pass that allowed right wing Ger Brady to outpace the cover to the corner.

Eric Elwood converted both, turned Blackrock around with some shrewd punting, and as the home side became more desperate in the second half, a loose pass allowed Brady to intercept and cruise 50 metres for a try. Blackrock rallied but Galwegians' dogged defence coughed up just a single try, for Rob Casey.

Four-time champions Shannon maintained their unbeaten run with a convincing 32-15 victory away to Buccaneers, inspired by two tries from prop Marcus Horan.

Young Munster looked to have secured a comfortable home win over Clontarf only to watch as the Dublin club grabbed a valuable bonus point with a late try from full back Kevin Nowlan which reduced the deficit to six points. Lansdowne's catalogue of injury rendered them vulnerable visitors to Stevenson Park and their bravery was not enough to thwart the boot of Dungannon outhalf David Humphreys, who edged his side to a 22-14 victory.

St Mary's recorded back-to-back victories with a hard-fought 18-12 win away to DLSP. They scored the only try of the match through centre Peter McKenna. Their clash with Garryowen at the weekend makes for an intriguing clash between two clubs trying to get over a disappointing start to the season.

Belfast Harlequins recorded an easy 37-17 victory at home to Old Crescent to haul themselves just above the Limerick side on five points and clear of both DLSP and Buccaneers, who meet on Saturday, and have yet to win a match.

Results, tables and fixtures in Rugby Round-up