All Ireland League Roundup

The battle for a top-four finish in Division 1A of the All Ireland League hots up with six games to go as Garryowen record their first win of the campaign.

With Clontarf defeating leaders Terenure College in Division 1A of the All Ireland League 29-24, Cork Constitution are just three points behind the leaders following their 14-3 home win against Ballynahinch. Con led 7-3 at half time with a try from Billy Scannell, converted by George Coomber. Max Abbott scored the winner’s second try and Coomber again converted.

Young Munster moved ahead of Dublin University and into fourth place after their 17-10 win over the Dublin students at Tom Clifford Park. Paulo Leleisiuao and Stephen Lyons scored tries for the Limerick side. Evan Cusack converted both and Conor Hayes kicked a penalty.

A late rally by UCD at Belfield saw them defeat Shannon 22-19 and move above them in the table. The sides were level 14-14 at halftime. Shannon were awarded a penalty try, and also had tries from Jordan Prenderville and Michael Cooke, with Cooke kicking a conversion and a penalty.

Garryowen defeated Lansdowne 21-17 at Dooradoyle to record their first win in the league this season. Harry Buttimer scored two tries for the Light Blues, and Tony Butler kicked three penalties and a conversion. Garryowen are fifteen points of safety.

In Division 1B, Highfield maintained their challenge for a top four finish with a 24-3 bonus point home win over bottom-side Malone. Amhlaoibh Porter scored two of Highfield’s four tries, with Luke Kingston and Liam McCarthy being their other try scorers. James Taylor kicked two conversions.

UCC ended a run of seven defeats with a 19-18 away win against Old Wesley. The Cork students led 12-10 at halftime with tries from Sean Condon and Johnny Murphy and a Cian Whooley conversion. They were awarded a penalty try early in the second half and had to withstand a strong finish by Wesley.

In Division 2A the shock of the day was at Dub Lane, where Nenagh Ormond defeated leaders Queen’s University 24-15. Evan Murphy and Fionn McGibney scored tries for Nenagh, who were also awarded a penalty try. Conor McMahon kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Cashel stay in fourth place two points ahead of Nenagh after their narrow 19-17 away win at Takumi Park against Old Crescent. The home side raced into a 14-0 lead with tries from Stephen Kiely and Jack O’Mahony. Ronan McKenna converted both and also added a penalty to give Old Crescent a 17-5 halftime lead. Cashel responded with tries from Cormac O’Donnell, Jack O’Rourke, and Ciaran Ryan. Aidan McDonald kicked two conversions.

Despite losing 48-38 at home to Ballymena, Dolphin picked up two bonus points but are nine points behind Ballymena to avoid the relegation battle.

UL Bohemian remain bottom after their 43-5 defeat by Blackrock College at Stradbrook.

Division 2C leaders Instonians defeated fourth placed Clonmel 64-0.

Bruff remain in fifth place after their 17-14  home win over Sunday’s Well, a result that leaves Sunday’s Well bottom of the table and six points off safety. The Well led 14-3 at halftime with tries from Dan O’Brien and Evan O’Connell, Josh Featherstone converted both. Mark Fitzgerald replied with two tries for Bruff, and Paul Collins added a try and a conversion.

Midleton lost away to Ballina 26-19 in a closely fought encounter. Johannes du Toit scored Midleton’s try. Stuart Lee converted and added four penalties.

In the Women’s All Ireland Cup Series, UL Bohemian made a winning start with a 29-10 away win at Galwegians. Niamh Kavanagh and Eilís Cahill each scored two tries for the winners and Chloe Pearce got one. Kate Flannery kicked two conversions.

Tries from Heather Kennedy and Lauraleigh Baker were not enough for Ballincollig who lost 29-10 away to Cooke.

Results:

Energia All Ireland League Division 1A:Cork Constitution 14, Ballynahinch 3;

Garryowen 21, Lansdowne 12;

Terenure College 24, Clontarf 29;

U.C.D. 22, Shannon 19;

Young Munster 17, Dublin University 10;

Division 1B:Buccaneers 31, St. Mary’s College 24;

Highfield 24, Malone 3;

Naas 47, Banbridge 34;

Old Belvedere 15, City of Armagh 0;

Old Wesley 18, U.C.C. 19;

Division 2A:Blackrock College 43, U.L. Bohemian 5;

Dolphin 38, Ballymena 40;

Navan 19, M.U. Barnhall 20;

Old Crescent 17, Cashel 19;

Queens University 15, Nenagh Ormond 24;

Division 2B:Dungannon 24, Belfast Harlequins 19;

Enniscorthy 19, Sligo 5;

Galway Corinthians 37, Malahide 28;

Greystones 34, Galwegians 19;

Wanderers 20, Rainey Old Boys 10;

Division 2C:Ballina 26, Midleton 19;

Bangor 24, Omagh Academicals 12;

Bruff 17, Sunday’s Well 14;

Instonians 64, Clonmel 0;

Skerries 14, Tullamore 6;

Women’s All Ireland Cup Series: Cooke 29, Ballincollig 10;

Galwegians 10, U.L. Bohemian 29;

Railway Union 39.Wicklow 15;

Suttonians 5, Blackrock College 31;