All Ireland League Round Up

9th December 2018 By John Leonard

Munster Academy centre, Shane Daly, scored a try for Cork Constitution INPHO/Bryan Keane

Cork Constitution have extended their lead at the top of Division 1A of the All Ireland League with a bonus point win at home to Young Munster as second place Clontarf lose for a second successive weekend.

A try from Joe McSwiney converted by Aidan Moynihan and a penalty try gave Cork Constitution a 14-0 half time lead at home to Young Munster. Clayton Stewart kicked a penalty for Young Munster but late tries from McSwiney and Shane Daly plus another Moynihan conversion ensured maximum points for the home side.

The Limerick derby between Garryowen and Shannon produced a thrilling nine try contest at Dooradoyle on Friday night with a late rally by Garryowen giving them the spoils on a 30-29 score line. The lead changed hands on ten occasions but a late try from Kevin Seymour and a penalty try in added time gave Garryowen victory after they trailed 29-18.

Garryowen’s other try scorers were Mike O’Donnell, Cian O’Shea and Diarmuid Barron with ben Healy kicking a penalty. Jake Flannery scored a try and three penalties for Shannon with Eathon Moloney, Craig Casey and Robbie Deegan also scoring tries.

Lansdowne proved too strong for U.C.C. on the back pitch at the Aviva Stadium where they ran out 31-15 winners. Ryan Murphy and Darragh Moloney scored tries for College and James Taylor kiked a conversion and a penalty.

Highfield extended their lead at the top of Division 2A after their 36-17 away win at Nenagh. Miah Cronin scored two tries for Highfield and Colm Gallagher and Luke Kingston got one each. They were also awarded a penalty try. Shane O’Riordan kicked a penalty and two conversions and Paddy O’Toole also added a conversion. Nenagh had a try from Kevin O’Gorman and they also were awarded a penalty try. Alex Ropeti kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Cashel still remain in second place two points behind Highfield after their 19-13 away win Belfast against Queens University. James Ryan scored two tries for Cashel and Jason Newton kicked a conversion. They were also awarded a penalty try.

U.L. Bohemian moved into fourth place after their 29-14 bonus point win on the 4G pitch at UL. John Fitzgerald gave Dolphin an early lead with a try converted by Daryl Foley. Two tries from Joe Bennett and one each by David O’Connor and James Ryan along with a penalty and three conversions by Mike Mullally ensured the points for the home side. Dave Byrne scored a second try for Dolphin and Foley converted.

A try conversion and a penalty gave Old Crescent a 10-3 interval lead at Stradbrook but three second half converted tries saw Blackrock College take the spoils 24-10.

Sunday’s Well slipped closer to the relegation zone in Division 2B after they lost at home to Rainey Old Boys 41-6. Eoin Geary kicked two penalties who were level 3-3 at half time having played into the wind in the opening half.

Image: Sunday’s Well in action during their Division 2B match against Rainey Old Boys. Image Credit: David Ribeiro (M. Lee Media)

Midleton moved back into second place in Division 2C after their 36-7 home win over City of Derry. Rian Hogan scored two tries for Midleton and Rob Carey, Louis Farnham and Martijn Korterik each got one. Stuart Lee kicked four conversions and a penalty.

Bruff slipped to third after they lost away to Malahide 19-14. Daniel Jackson and Davy O’Grady scored tries for Bruff and Kevin McManus converted both.

Thomond still remain in bottom place after their 27-17 defeat at home to Tullamore. Aaron McCloskey scored two tries for Thomond and Mike McMahon one. Evan Cusack added one conversion.

RESULTS:

All Ireland League Division 1A: Clontarf 12, Dublin University 16;

Cork Constitution 26, Young Munster 3;

Garryowen 30, Shannon 29;

Lansdowne 31, U.C.C. 15;

U.C.D. 31, Terenure College 3;

Division 1B: Ballymena 18, Ballynahinch 10;

City of Armagh 16, Naas 11;

Malone 12, Old Wesley 16;

Old Belvedere 11, Buccaneers 10;

St. Mary’s College 28, Banbridge 7;

Division 2A: Blackrock College 24, Old Crescent 10;