All Ireland League Round-Up

The opening series of games in this season’s All Ireland League saw holders Cork Constitution start with a narrow win over Garryowen as new boys Enniscorthy defeated Midleton and Clonmel shared the spoils at home to Omagh Academicals.

In a closely contested tie at Temple Hill in Division 1A, a try from Greg Higgins and three Aidan Moynihan penalties helped Cork Constitution to a 14-13 win over Garryowen. Tomas O’Hora replied with a try for the Light Blues and James Heuston converted and added two penalties.

U.C.C. are the early pace setters after their 30-20 bonus point win away to Dublin University. Rob Hedderman, Rory Suttor and two tries from Matthew Bowen were College’s try scorers. James Taylor kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Two second-half penalties from Evan Cusack were not enough for Young Munster as they lost at home to a late converted try for Clontarf 7-6.

Highfield top the table in Division 1B after they began their campaign with a 27-6 win over Malone at Woodleigh Park. Luke Kingston and Mark Dorgan scored tries for Highfield and they were also awarded a penalty try. Shane O’Riordan converted both tries and also kicked two penalties.

Shannon began their campaign on the back pitch in Thomond Park with a 22-20 defeat by Old Belvedere. Pa Ryan and Colin Slater scored tries for Shannon and Billy Grey converted both and added two penalties.

Old Crescent won the Limerick derby away to U.L. Bohemian 32-8 at the 4GUL in Division 2A. Kevin Doyle, Jack O’Neill, Niall Hardiman and Val McDermot scored tries for the winners and Ronan McKenna converted three of the tries and also kicked two penalties. Rory White scored UL Bohs’ try and Alan Kiely added a penalty.

Cashel had a 25-9 bonus point win away to Dolphin with three of their tries coming in the last twenty minutes when they trailed 9-8. Richard Kingston, Luke Duffy, Conor Cashman and Alan McManus were Cashel’s try scorers and Aidan McDonald added a conversion and a penalty. Daryl Foley replied with three penalties for Dolphin.

Nenagh Ormond came from 17-0 down to beat Rainey Old Boys 22-17. John Healy scored a try for Nenagh and Conor O’Brien converted and kicked five penalties.

Newcomers Enniscorthy proved too strong for Midleton in Division 2C with a 22-3 win. Stuart Lee kicked a penalty for the east Cork side.

Clonmel fought back to share the spoils with Omagh Academicals 13-13 at Ard Gaoithe. Martine Altimirano and Luke Hogan scored tries for Clonmel and Dylan Cadogan kicked a penalty.

A late try by Neilus Keogh converted by Kevin McManus helped Bruff to a 19-18 away win over City of Derry. Liam Treacy and Sean Hartigan scored their first two tries and Florent Qiquet converted one of them.

A try from Ryan Buckley and a conversion and two penalties from Brian Derham were not enough for Sunday’s Well who lost away to Bangor 25-13.

RESULTS:

All Ireland League Division 1A:  Ballynahinch 19, Terenure College 22;

Cork Constitution 14, Garryowen 13;

Dublin University 20, UCC 30;

Lansdowne 33, UCD 3;

Young Munster 6, Clontarf 7;

Division 1B: City of Armagh 13, Naas 7;

Highfield 27, Malone 6;

Navan 18, St. Mary’s College 23;

Old Wesley 13, Banbridge 3;

Shannon 20, Old Belvedere 22;

Division 2A: Buccaneers 6, Queen’s University 24;

Dolphin 9, Cashel 25;

M.U. Barnhall 36, Ballymena 7;

Nenagh Ormond 22, Rainey Old Boys 17;

U.L. Bohemian 8, Old Crescent 24;

Division 2B: Ballina 0, Galway Corinthians 25;

Belfast Harlequins 25, Wanderers 27;

Dungannon 12, Blackrock College 17;

Galwegians 18, Sligo 10;

Malahide 10, Greystones 25;

Division 2C: Bangor 25, Sunday’s Well 13;

City of Derry 18, Bruff 19;

Clonmel 13, Omagh Academicals 13;

Enniscorthy 22, Midleton 3;

Tullamore 13, Skerries 13;