All Ireland League Roundup

22nd January 2023 By Leonard Allen

©INPHO

Cork Constitution moved into second place in the All Ireland League as Young Munster won an exciting local derby against Shannon.

A 24-12 victory over Clontarf at Castle Avenue sees Cork Constitution leapfrog Clontarf in the Division 1A table. Despite trailing 7-5 at halftime Cork Constitution finished the stronger to run out deserving winners. Harry O’Sullivan, Louis Kahn, Cathal O’Flaherty, and Max Abbott scored tries for Con’ and George Coomber added two conversions.

Young Munster defeated Shannon 31-27 in a nine-try thriller at Tom Clifford Park. Patrick Campbell scored two tries for the Cookies, and Conor Phillips, John Foley, and Conor Hayes got one each. Evan Cusack added three conversions. Jade Kriel, Alan Flannery, Cian O’Halloran, and Killian Dineen replied with tries for Shannon. Mike Cooke kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Garryowen’ s poor season continued when they lost 24-7 away to Ballynahinch. Nick Greene scored Garryowen’s try and Tony Butler converted.

Highfield improved their chances of a play-off place in Division 1B after their 34-10 away win over UCC in the Mardyke. Tries from Travis Comey and Sean Garett in the opening half, both converted by James Taylor gave Highfield a 14-7 interval lead. Jack O’Sullivan scored a try for College which Cian Whooley converted. Luke Kingston, Ben Murphy, and Gavin O’Leary added further tries for Highfield in the second half and Taylor added a conversion and a penalty. Whooley replied with a penalty for the Students.

Division 2A leaders Queens University recorded a narrow 21-17 away win over Cashel. The Belfast students led 18-3 at halftime, Cormac O’Donnell and Brian O’Connor scored tries for Cashel. Ryan O’Sullivan converted both and also added a penalty.

Nenagh Ormond maintained their challenge for a play-off place with a 20-10 home win against second-placed Blackrock College. Dylan Murphy and Patrick Scully were Nenagh’s try scorers. Conor McMahon converted both tries and also added two penalties.

MU Barnhall moved up to second place after their 34-24 bonus point win at Musgrave Park. Craig O’Herlihy and Craig O’Connell scored tries for Dolphin, who were also awarded a penalty try. Tomás Quinlan kicked three conversions and a penalty.

UL Bohemian picked up a losing bonus point in their 19-17 home defeat by Navan. They are still propping up the table but just a point behind Dolphin. Skipper Paul Clancy scored their opening try and Harry Byrne converted both tries and also added a penalty.

In Division 2C Clonmel took a big step towards a play-off place after their 23-10 home win over Bruff. A Dean Slattery try to a penalty by Paul Collins gave Clonmel a 5-3 halftime lead. Andrew Daly increased their advantage with a try four minutes into the second half. But a try by Pa Maher converted by Collins tied the scores after 64 minutes. Clonmel finished the stronger as a Dylan Cadogan penalty and tries from Rob Wynne and Dan Hosek saw the Tipperary side run out comfortable winners.

League leaders Instonians recorded their eleventh bonus point victory with a 26-6 win over Midleton at the Towns Park. Stuart Lee kicked two penalties for the home side.

Bottom side Sunday’s Well lost 32-5 away to Skerries but their problems really started just before the kick-off, when their scrum half and kicker Fabian Loughery got injured in the warm-up. Finn Mac Fhlannchadha scored the ‘Well’s try.

Results:

Energia All Ireland League Division 1A:Ballynahinch 24, Garryowen 7;

Clontarf 12, Cork Constitution 24;

Dublin University 7, Terenure College 12;

Lansdowne 23, U.C.D. 20;

Young Munster 31, Shannon 27;

Division 1B:Banbridge 43, Buccaneers 15;

Malone 8, Old Belvedere 18;

Naas 5, City of Armagh 32;

St. Mary’s College 21, Old Wesley 30;

U.C.C. 10, Highfield 24;

Division 2A:Ballymena v Old Crescent (postponed);