Cork Con reclaimed their place at the top of Division 1 with a hard fought 30-24 victory over Blackrock College at Temple Hill this afternoon. Ronan O’Gara crowned his call-up to the Lions squad with 15 points, while winger Derek Dillon capped a memorable performance with two tries, the first after just four minutes. Brian Walsh added a second four minutes later and Dillon grabbed his second on 17 minutes to put the home side firmly in control. Michael Jackson pulled one back for the visitors on 28 minutes, and the remainder of the scores were from the boots of O’Gara and ’Rock’s Alan McGowan.
Meanwhile, Shannon got their play-off challenge back on track with an emphatic 36-15 victory over De La Salle Palmerston at Thomond Park this evening. In a tough but entertaining encounter, the Munster outfit ran in five tries from John Lacey (2), Mossie Lawlor, Marcus Horan and Tom Hayes, while Eddie Devitt and Romanian International Mihai Vironeau replied for the visitors. Andrew Thompson had an indifferent night’s kicking, notching 11 points, while his opposite number, Damien McCabe, hit 5 points.
Elsewhere, Garryowen recorded a narrow 20-11 victory over Lansdowne at Lansdowne side at Dooradoyle this evening. A superb individual try from Tom Tierney put the home side in front with just 7 minutes on the clock, but the visitors hit back with two penalties from Dave Quigley to close the gap to 7-6 with 25 minutes gone. However, Kevin Hartigan eased the Limerick side’s nerves with a well-taken try just before the interval, which was again converted by Jeremy Staunton. Staunton completed his side’s scoring with another penalty 10 minutes from time, but despite a late Garreth Molloy try, the home side held on to secure the win.
Filed by Shane Murray
