AIB All Ireland League Round up 23rd January

Both Cork Constitution and Midleton remain top of their respective Divisions of the AIB All Ireland League as Young Munster lose top spot to Old Belvedere in Division 2 on points difference.

In Division 1A, St. Mary’s College lost for the second successive week when they were beaten 21-13 by Dolphin at Musgrave Park. The Cork side turned their season around after a few disappointing results in the past few weeks with seven penalties from young Cormac O’Flynn. Dara Fanning scored a try for the visitors and Gavin Dunne kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Cork Constitution remain in top spot after they shared the spoils with Garryowen having played a 6-6 draw at Dooradoyle. The Limerick side led 6-3 at half time with two penalties from Conor Murray, while Scot Deasy replied with two penalties for the visitors.

Shannon moved into second place after their local derby 17-11 win over U.L. Bohemian at Thomond Park. Tadgh Bennett was Shannon’s match wining hero kicking 3 penalties and a drop goal. Shannon led 6-5 at half time with Daniel Riordan scoring a try for U.L.
Fionn McLoughlin extended Shannon’s lead with a try but a penalty and a drop goal by Fergal Lawlor tied up the scores before Bennett struck with a penalty and drop goal to secure the points for Shannon.

Trailing 12-9 at half time and with only thirteen players on the pitch, Young Munster’s took control in the second half to secure the points with two penalties from Alan Kingsley for a 15-12 victory to keep their promotion hopes alive. Kingsley kicked two penalties and a drop goal in the opening half as Ryan Bambry replied with three penalties for the visitors and Jonny Cullen added a drop goal.

U.C.C. kept up their promotion challenge with a 21-3 away win over Dungannon. Two penalties from Brian Derham had the students 6-3 ahead at the break but tries from Brian Dennehy and prop John Ryan and a conversion and penalty from Derham secured the points for the College.

In Division Two Bruff kept their promotion challenge on track with an 18-3 home win over bottom side Greystones. Cathal O’Regan and David Gardiner scored tries for the winners and Philip Moloney kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Bective Rangers kept up their challenge with a 19-0 win over Thomond at Donnybrook.

Highfield eased their relegation worries with a 6-3 away win over Corinthians. Dave O’Brien kicked two penalties for the visitors.

Old Crescent failed to follow up last week’s win over Trinity, when they lost at home to Malone 21-18. Shane Spring and Mark Ryan scored tries for the Rosbrien side and Mark Woods kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Clonakilty still remain in the relegation zone after their 22-15 defeat at Donnybrook by Old Wesley. Kurt Morath kicked five penalties for the West Cork side.

Midleton still remain on top in Division Three after they won their local derby tie with Sunday’s Well 12-6. Jeff Hitchmough kicked four penalties for the winners and the ‘Well replied with a penalty from Eamon Ronan and a drop goal by Danny O’Shea.

Nenagh Ormond’s 18-13 defeat by Queen’s University sees them slip out of the top four. David Delaney scored a try, conversion and two penalties for the Tipperary side.

RESULTS:
AIB League Division 1A:Blackrock College 26,Clontarf 13;
Dolphin 21,St. Mary’s College 13;
Garryowen 6,Cork Constitution 6;
U.L. Bohemian 11,Shannon 17;

Division 1B:Ballymena 10,Old Belvedere 26;
Dungannon 3,U.C.C. 21;
Galwegians 12,Buccaneers 11;
Young Munster 15,Ballynahinch 12;

Division 2:Bective Rangers 19,Thomond 0;
Belfast Harlequins 18,U.C.D. 6;
Bruff 18,Greystones 3;
Corinthians 3,Highfield 6;
Lansdowne 17,Dublin University 12;
Old Crescent 18,Malone 21;
Old Wesley 22,Clonakilty 15;
Terenure College 12,D.L.S.P. 14;

Division 3:Banbridge 17,Barnhall 5;
Co. Carlow 20,Rainey Old Boys 17;
Instonians 31,Suttonians 10;
Midleton 12,Sunday’s Well 6;
Navan 14,Wanderers 6;
Portadown 3,Connemara 18;
Queens University 18,Nenagh Ormond 13;