All Ireland League Round Up

3rd March 2019 By Leonard Allen

Fintan Coleman of Young Munster in action. INPHO/Oisin Keniry

No changes at the top of all five Divisions of the All Ireland League as the league enters the final stages with just four round of games remaining.

Division 1A leaders put a dent in Garryowen’s hopes of a top four finish with a 15-7 win at Dooradoyle. Aidan Moynihan put Cork Constitution ahead with a try after only three minutes. Garryowen hit back with a try by Peadar Collins which he also converted after seventeen minutes. Winger Sean French swooped for a try just on the half time whistle and he clinched it with another try 22 minutes into the second half.

U.C.C. gave their relegation worries a big boost with a 15-3 win over Shannon at the Mardyke, a result that drags Shannon into the relegation battle. A Michael Clune try converted by James Taylor and a Taylor penalty gave the students a 10-3 half time lead. Fionn McGibney kicked a penalty for Shannon. The only score of the second half was a try for College from Matt Bowen.

Defending champions Lansdowne were pushed all the way by Young Munster at the Aviva Stadium before coming out on top 25-24. The two points that the Limerick side gained leaves them in the relegation play off place three points behind U.C.C Conor Philips, Tim Goggin, Luke Fitzgerald, and Conor Hayes scored tries for Young Munster and Shane Airey kicked two conversions.

Division 2A leaders Highfield bounced back from last week’s defeat in Navan with a hard earned 19-7 home win over promotion chasing Old Crescent at Woodleigh Park. A Gavin O’Leary converted by Shane O’Riordan gave Highfield a 7-0 half time lead. Crescent leveled with a try from Kevin Meade converted by Ronan McKenna but two tries from substitute Cian O’Sullivan in the final quarter and an O’Riordan conversion gave Highfield victory.

The Tipperary derby between Nenagh Ormond and Cashel ended all square 10-10. John O’Flaherty scored a try for Nenagh; Alex Ropeti converted and also added a penalty. Idris Rqibi replied with a try for Cashel and Jonty Rae converted and kicked a penalty.

U.L. Bohemian lost at home to Navan 21-17. Darragh O’Grady, James McCarthy and Joe Murray scored tries for U.L. Bohes and Mike Mullally kicked a conversion.

Dolphin eased their relegation worries with a 28-0 bonus point win away to bottom side Galwegians. Tim Phelan, Liam Walsh, Conor Flanagan and John Fitzgerald scored tries for Dolphin and Daryl Foley kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Division 2B leaders MU Barnhall made it 14 wins from 14 with a 10^th successive defeat for Sunday’s Well at Irish Independent Park with a 26-20 victory. Shane Desmond, James Mulcahy and Darragh O’Sullivan scored tries for Sunday’s Well and Brian Derham kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Midleton’s hopes of automatic promotion from Division 2C received a big setback at Malahide as they lost 19-14. Michael Cronin and Daniel Murray scored tries for Midleton and Stuart Lee converted both.

Bruff drew level on points with Midleton after their second half comeback saw them defeat Seapoint 20-17. Taylor Jones and Neilus Keogh scored tries for Bruff and David O’Grady converted both and added two penalties.

Thomond are now bottom of the table after they lost at home to leaders Ballina 41-10. Ryan Ahern scored a try for Thomond and Evan Cusack converted and added a penalty.

RESULTS:

All Ireland League Division 1A: Dublin University 10, Terenure College 7;

Garryowen 7, Cork Constitution 15;

Lansdowne 25, Young Munster 24;

U.C.C. 15, Shannon 3;

U.C.D. 17, Clontarf 26;

Division 1B: Ballynahinch 13, Naas 5;

City of Armagh 27, Ballymena 15;

Malone 6, Buccaneers 11;

Old Wesley 22, Banbridge 0;

St. Mary’s College 10, Old Belvedere 7;

Division 2A: Blackrock College 17, Queen’s University 24;