A FIGHTING finish by Blackrock brought them within a whisker of victory against Cork Con in Stradbrook on Saturday but the visitors held out for a deserved single-point victory. Three tries from each side kept an entertaining match alive throughout but Cork Con missed out for the second game in a row on a bonus point which on balance they had deserved.

Both sides opened cautiously and traded penalties in the first 10 minutes, but a breakaway try from within his own 22 by Gary Brown, was converted by Fionn Carr to put the home side ahead.

Con struck back almost immediately and a series of rucks allowed Conor Quaid to score in the corner five minutes before half time.

Con were more organised side going forward with fullback Denis Hurley and winger Richard Lane impressing while prop Tim Ryan was outstanding both in the tight and the loose.

Hurley and Gleeson produced some fine attacks between them, one of which ended with a five-metre penalty and Brendan Curtis scored from the ruck.

Their final try was a beauty. Hurley and Gleeson again linked up to send Ed Leamy off on a barrelling run. He gave the perfect pass to Richard Lane for a try which Dan Netherty converted.

BLACKROCK A Henry; A O'Neill, F Carr, M Berne, G Brown; K McGowan, D Popplewell; M Cuffe, J Mannion, K Maloney; O Cullen (capt), D Dillon; N Corkery, D Laffan, J Kilgallon Subs F Pala'amo for Cuffe 40 mins; D Rowan for Popplewell 61 mins; B Canavan for McGowan 74 mins

CORK CONSTITUTION D Hurley; R Lane, T Gleeson, D Netherty, C Healy; C Quaid, P McKee; C Murphy, R Quinn, T Ryan; R Noonan, M O'Connell; L Hill, B Curtis, E Leamy Subs E Cassidy for Hill 56 mins; T Ryan for Murphy 66 mins; D O'Leary for Netherty 75 mins; V Soden for O'Connell 75 mins Referee Mark Hermin (Ulster)