All Ireland League Roundup

Defending champions Shannon are still looking for their first victory in this season’s league campaign after they lost at home to St. Mary’s College 12-7.

A try by Mossie Lawlor converted by Tadgh Bennett had Shannon 7-3 in front at half time bur four penalties from former U.C.C. out half Gavin Dunne saw the Dublin side record their second victory.

Garryowen were brought back to earth after last week’s derby win over Shannon, when they travelled to Blackrock and suffered a 48-14 defeat. The Stradbrook side led 24-11 at half time. Ronan O’Mahony scored a try for the Dooradoyle side and Conor Murray kicked three penalties.

Dolphin recorded their second win of the campaign with a stunning come back at Castle Avenue when they came from 19-3 down to Clontarf to emerge winners on a 27-19 scoreline. Barry Keeshan the hero last week against Cork Constitution contributed a try, five penalties and a conversion to his side’s tally with Barry O’Mahony also scoring a try.

Cork Constitution took the points at Temple Hill 16-3. Chris Sheridan gave U.L. Bohemian an early 3-0 lead but tries from Richard Lane and Darragh Lyons and a penalty each from Lane and Jeremy Manning made sure the Cork side took the points.

In Division 1B there was no joy for either of the Munster sides as both U.C.C. and Young Munster lost but both did pick up losing bonus points. At The Mardyke, U.C.C. were within seconds of claiming a victory over Ballymena when with the last play of the game the visitors mauled their way over the line for a try to give the Ulster side a 31-28 victory. A minute into the second half the students led 28-11 but a great performance by the Ballymena pack saw them claw their way pack into tie and they scored two converted tries in the last ten minutes. Brian Derham Colin Crowley and Sean Scanlon scored tries for the students and Andrew Burke kicked three penalties and two conversions.

A penalty by Alan Kingsley gave Young Munster a 3-0 half time lead away to Dungannon and a try by the outhalf five minutes from time looked like giving the Limerick side an 8-7 victory but Paul Magee struck in the eight minute of injury time with a try to claim victory for the home sid.

The early top of the table clash at Bruff in the Second Division saw visitors Lansdowne record a comfortable 54-13 victory. Anthony White scored a try for Bruf and Brian Carroll kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Old Crescent lost away to Bective Rangers 25-24, while Thomond continued their good run with a 26-20 home victory over Trinity. Jamie English and Darragh O’Neill scored tries for the winners and Declan Cusack kicked three penalties, two conversions and a drop goal.

Highfield lost at home for the second successive week, when Old Wesley defeated them 27-17. Colin Mahony scored a try penalty and two conversions for the Woodleigh Park side. Fergus Gately also scored a try for the home side.

Four penalties from Kurt Morath was not enough for Clonakilty who lost at home 15-12 to Belfast Harlequins.

In the Third Division Midleton made it two wins out of two after they defeated Queens University 25-19. Michael Cronin, Troy Smith and Junior Sifa were try scorers for the East Cork side and Jeff Hitchmough
kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Portadown bounced back from two heavy defeats to defeat Nenagh Ormond 18-12. David Delaney kicked four penalties for the Tipperary side.

A late rally by Wanderers saw them defeat Sunday’s Well 26-16 at Musgrave Park. Eamon Murphy scored a try for the home side and Eamon Ronan kicked a conversion, drop goal and two penalties.

RESULTS:
AIB League Division 1A:Blackrock College 48,Garryowen 14;
Clontarf 19,Dolphin 27;
Cork Constitution 16,U.L. Bohemian 3;
Shannon 7,St. Mary’s College 12;

Division 1B:Ballynahinch 25,Galwegians 24;
Buccaneers 12,Old Belvedere 36;
Dungannon 14,Young Munster 8;
U.C.C. 28,Ballymena 31;

Division 2:Bective Rangers 25,Old Crescent 24;
Bruff 13,Lansdowne 54;
Clonakilty 12,Belfast Harlequins 15;
D.L.S.P. 26,Malone 19;
Greystones 9,U.C.D. 47;
Highfield 17,Old Wesley 27;
Terenure College 19,Corinthians 24;
Thomond 26,Dublin University 20;

Division 3:Banbridge 15,Instonians 20;
Barnhall 29,Rainey Old Boys 23;
Connemara 15,Ards 3;
Midleton 25,Queens University 19;
Navan 31,Naas 8;
Portadown 18,Nenagh Ormond 12;
Sunday’s Well 16,Wanderers 26;
Suttonians 14,Co. Carlow 11;