All Ireland League Round Up

21st September 2024 By Leonard Allen

A good start for the two Limerick sides in the opening series of games in Division 1A of the All Ireland League, as late scores saw them make winning starts, as defending champions Cork Constitution record their first loss on the road.

Garryowen, back in the top flight this season, had Gordon Wood to thank for a late try as they defeated Lansdowne 29-27 at Dooradoyle. Ronan Quinn, Colm Hogan and George Hadden also scored tries for “The Light Blues” as Kelvin Langan kicked two conversions and a penalty. Dylan Hicks also added a conversion.

Young Munster travelled to Dublin and defeated UCD 24-22 at the Bowl thanks to a late penalty from Julian Leszczynski. Shay McCarthy scored two early tries for Young Munster and Stephen McLoughlin got one after the break. Leszczynski converted all three tries, as well as kicking the winning penalty.

Terenure College opened their campaign with a 25-15 win against Cork Constitution at Lakelands Park. Scott Buckley and Alessandro Heaney were the Con’ try scorers. James Taylor kicked a conversion and a penalty.

In Division 1B, newcomers Nenagh Ormond continued their good start to the season with an impressive 27-3 home win over relegated Dublin University. Angus Blackmore, Conor O’Shaughnessy, Dylan Murphy and Josh Rowland were Nenagh’s try scorers and Conor McMahon added two conversions and a penalty.

Highfield came from 17-5 down to beat Naas 19-17 at Woodleigh Park. Richard Cassidy, Travis Coomey and Max Abbott scored tries for home side and Shane O’Riordan kicked two conversions.

Shannon went to Belfast and lost to Queen’s University19-13. Adam Moloney and Luke Murphy scored tries for Shannon and Cillian O’Connor kicked a penalty to secure Shannon a losing bonus point.

U.C.C. suffered 43-17 defeat away to Old Belvedere. Kamil Nowak and Jack Casey were the College try scorers and Daniel Squires converted both and also added a penalty.

The Munster derby at Takumi Park in Division 2A saw Cashel take the spoils on a 38-34 scoreline. Alan Flannery scored two tries for Cashel and Jamie Ryan and Marcel Stydom got one each. The Tipperary side were also awarded a penalty try. Tim Townsend kicked two conversions and Ben Twomey added two conversions and a penalty. Old Crescent replied with tries from Timmy Duggan, Werner Hoffman, Casey Tanyi and Yasin Browne. Ronan McKenna converted all four tries and also added two penalties.

U.L. Bohemian made a winning start to their campaign in Division 2B with a 34-25 home win against Sligo at the U.L. Arena. Matt Sheahan, Kean Sheehy, Darren Ferrar and Sean Quirke were Bohs try scorers and Oisin Fagan kicked four conversions and two penalties.

Dolphin made a winning start to their campaign in Division 2C with a 20-15 away win at Bruff. Jordon Soli contributed two tries, a conversion and a penalty to Dolphin’s tally with Craig O’Connell also scoring a try. Shane Duggan replied with a try for Bruff, who were also awarded a penalty try. Paul Collins kicked a penalty.

A last minute try from Gary Downey converted by Jack Colbert earned Midleton a 34-28 home win over newly promoted Monkstown. Ritchie Daly and Johannes du Toit were Midleton’s other try scorers, who were also awarded a penalty try. Colbert kicked three conversions and a penalty.

A Josef O’Connor penalty in added time looked like earning Clonmel a share of the spoils away to Omagh Academicals, but the Tyrone side struck back with a penalty for a 31-28 win. Tony Cantwell, Freddie Davis and Tom Ross were Clonmel’s try scorers. O’Connor kicked three penalties and two conversions.

RESULTS

Energia All Ireland League Division 1A: Ballynahinch 7, City of Armagh 0;

Garryowen 29, Lansdowne 27;

St. Mary’s College 27, Clontarf 31;

Terenure College 25, Cork Constitution 15;

U.C.D. 22, Young Munster 24;

Division 1B: Highfield 19, Naas 17;

Nenagh Ormond 27, Dublin University 3;

Old Belvedere 43, U.C.C. 17;

Old Wesley 29, Blackrock College 13;

Queen’s University 19, Shannon 13;

Division 2A: Ballymena 10, Galway Corinthians 27;