AIL Division One leaders Cork Constitution marched on at Crowley Park this afternoon, posting their sixth straight league win but Galwegians did help them on their way.
Con took advantage of two lapses from the hosts – a missed tackle and a charged down kick – to pick off tries.
Alipate Tuilevuka missed a third-minute tackle, allowing Con winger Cronan Healy to touch down. Richie Lane added a penalty for an 8-0 interval lead.
Centre Evan Ryan grabbed the block-down score to edge Con further in front before Galwegians winger John Cleary got over for a late consolation try – his fourth of the campaign.
Making their only trip to Connacht this season, the Leesiders raced into an early lead when Tuilevuka put in a poor tackle and a swift attack, with former captain Frank Cogan central to it, ended with Munster’s Denis Fogarty setting Healy free into the 22 and over for the try.
Con could not really build on that early score and had to be satisfied with the addition of a Lane penalty, after 18 minutes, as they took an 8-0 buffer into the break.
'Wegians had a couple of scoring chances either side of half-time but Connacht squad member Liam Bibo pushed two penalty kicks to the wrong side of the posts.
The home side also included John Lyne, Brian McGovern, Andrew Browne and Peter Durcan, four players who are in and around the Connacht squad this season.
Just when it looked like 'Wegians might eat into Con's lead, a poorly thrown pass from Robbie Shaw forced Bibo into a hurried clearance and Ryan was in quick to get the block-down and notch the killer 58th-minute try in the corner.
As it turns out, a losing bonus point would have been enough for the men from the west to guarantee their place in next season’s Division One.
However, despite Cleary’s late effort, which Bibo failed to convert from the touchline, Paul Young’s charges had nothing to show for their efforts.
Scorers –
Galwegians: Try: J Cleary
Cork Constitution: Tries: C Healy, E Ryan; Pen: R Lane
