All Ireland League Round Up

27th January 2019 By Leonard Allen

UCC meet Highfield in the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup quarter-final on Saturday. INPHO/Oisin Keniry

UCC caused a big upset while Cork Constitution and Highfield remain top of their Division with bonus-point wins.

The shock of the day was at the Mardyke where UCC defeated defending champions Lansdowne 25-22 in Division 1A of the All Ireland League and moved out of the relegation zone. Matt Bowen, Brian O’Mahony and Michael Clune scored tries for the students and James Taylor kicked two penalties and two conversions.

Cork Constitution have opened up an eight point lead after their 31-5 away win at Tom Clifford Park, a result that sees Young Munster slip into the relegation places. Derek Corcoran opened the scoring with a try for “the Cookies” but Con’ hit back with two tries from JJ O’Neil and one each by Conor Kindregan, Rob Jermyn and Greg Higgins. Aidan Moynihan kicked three conversions.

Garryowen have completed the double over Shannon after their 28-7 victory at Thomond Park. Last month Garryowen won 30-29 in a tightly contested tie. Liam Coombes opened the scoring with a try after seven minutes. A penalty by Peadar Collins and a Diarmuid Barron try had the Light Blues 13-0 ahead at half time. Tries by Kevin Seymour and Coombes in the opening minutes of the second half secured the bonus point. Collins added a fifth try before Ronan Coffey scored a consolation try for Shannon in the final minutes and Ben Daly converted.

Highfield recorded their tenth bonus point victory in Division 2A after their 40-22 home win over Nenagh Ormond. Ben Murphy, Paul Stack, Gavin O’Leary and Chris Bannon each scored tries with Miah Cronin getting over twice. Shane O’Riordan added five conversions. Nicky Irwin, Alex Ropeti, Ger O’Gorman and John Healy replied with tries for Nenagh and Ropeti kicked one conversion.

Cashel kept up the pressure on the leaders with a 35-15 home win over Queens University. Jonty Rae scored two tries and five conversions for the Tipperary side and Niall Fitzgerald, Michael Casey and Kevin O’Connor also scored tries.

U.L. Bohemian remain in fourth place after their hard earned 23-19 away win against Dolphin. A Mike Mullally penalty and tries from Joe Murray and Robbie Bourke gave U.L. Bohemian a 13-0 half time lead. Tries by Alex Denby and Daniel Horgan and a Daryl Foley conversion reduced the gap to a point before a Mullally penalty and a conversion of a try by Brian Walsh put UL Bohes into a 23-12 lead but a try from John Fitzgerald converted by Foley setup a nervy finish for the Limerick side.

A late rally from Rainey Old Boys in Division 2B saw them come from 12-0 down to beat Sunday’s Well 21-12 at Maherafelt. Evan O’Connell and James Kiernan scored tries for the ‘Well and Brian Derham kicked a conversion.

Midleton lost valuable ground for automatic promotion in Division 2C when they lost away to City of Derry 19-18. Maurice Daly and Brian Moore scored tries for Midleton and Stuart Lee kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Bruff kept their promotion hopes alive with a 32-17 home win over Malahide. Dave O’Grady was Bruff’s hero scoring a try, two penalties and three conversions. Cian Clifford, Sean Darcy and Joe O’Grady also scored tries for Bruff.

Thomond eased their relegation worries with a surprising 15-11 away win at Tullamore. They were awarded a penalty try, Colin Slater scored a try and Evan Cusack added a penalty.

RESULTS:

All Ireland League Division 1A: Dublin University 29, Clontarf 21;

Shannon 7, Garryowen 28;

Terenure College 49, U.C.D. 0;

U.C.C. 25, Lansdowne 22;

Young Munster 5, Cork Constitution 31;

Division 1B: Ballynahinch 19, Ballymena 14;

Banbridge 18, St. Mary’s College 16;

Buccaneers 20, Old Belvedere 12;

Naas 23, City of Armagh 23;

Old Wesley 17, Malone 21;

Division 2A: Cashel 35, Queen’s University 15;