It all hinged on the last few minutes and, when it came down to the wire, Constitution came good. Scrum-half Brian O'Meara produced the all important last score to greatly assist Constitution's challenge for Shannon's All-Ireland League title. O'Meara's 75th minute drop goal was good enough to secure victory for the Temple Hill side and it was certainly no more than they deserved.

Ballymena were, quite simply, awful. They had enough possession to secure a much-needed win but never put it to good use. Constitution, in contrast, were much sharper and that was highlighted by their ability to score the only two tries of the match. The Ulster side had to yet again rely on the trusty boot of full back Simon Mason who kicked all four penalty opportunities. That was never going to be enough as his colleagues succeeded only in making errors. Ulster had enough of a territorial advantage to make a much bigger impression on the scoreboard but never looked capable of doing so. Constitution's defence, however, deserves credit and yet there was no excuse for some of the mistakes Ballymena made in going forward. Constitution were also not nearly as wasteful with their chances.

Out-half Ronan O'Gara took full advantage of one when Ultan O'Callaghan's superb break from the base of a scrum 20 metres out provided his side with quick ruck ball. O'Gara latched onto a pass from O'Meara and scorched past a hestitant defence to touch down under the posts, a try which he converted himself. In the 20th minute O'Gara kicked a penalty and it wasn't until the 23rd minute that Mason put Ballymena on the scoreboard with a penalty. After Jerry Murray finished off a brilliant move started by O'Meara within seconds of the resumption, it was noticeable that the Ulster side had run out of steam and ideas.

Mason kicked two penalties before O'Gara had his fourth opportunity for Constitution in the middle stages of the second half, his success effectively shutting Ballymena out of the game. Sure enough, Mason kicked Ballymena back into contention with his fourth penalty but O'Meara shattered any aspirations they had of making a comeback when he dropped the final goal.

With a nine point lead, Constitution finished well in control. Constitution are now top of the table and leave Ballymena to slug it out in at the bottom reaches.

CORK CONSTITUTION: B Walsh, J Kiernan, Conor Mahony, Cian Mahony, D O'Brien, R O'Gara, B O'Meara, P Soden, F Sheahan, J O'Driscoll, K Murphy, D Sheehan, D Corkery, U O'Callaghan, J Murray. Subs. I Murray for Soden (52), D O'Callaghan for D Sheehan (72).

BALLYMENA: S Mason, S Stewart, J Cunningham, J Wells, J Topping, D McAleese, A McCloy, N McKernan, A Stewart, W McAllister, M Blair, G Longwell, A Graham, D MacCartney, T McWhirter. Subs. G Cully for McAllister (55), J Andrews for MacCartney (63), P McBride for Blair (76).

Referee: A Lewis (Leinster).