All Ireland League Roundup

Old Crescent were crowned champions of Division 2B in the All Ireland League as they recorded their sixteenth successive win, while all three Munster clubs are still in with a chance of a top four finish in Division 1A.

Old Crescent continued their unbeaten run with a 31-7 home win over Dungannon to ensure Division 2A rugby next season.

Val McDermott scored two tries for the winners and Brian Tuohy, Larry Hanly and Padraig Monaghan got one each. Ronan McKenna kicked three conversions.

Cork Constitution remain in third place in Division 1A after their 39-27 away win at Belfield against UCD. Rob Jermyn scored two tries for the Temple Hill side and Ger Sweeney, JJ O’Neill and Brian Hayes got one each. Tomas Quinlan kicked four conversions and two penalties.

Garryowen leaped frog Clontarf into fourth place after their 35-30 away win at Castle Avenue against Clontarf. Diarmuid Barron scored two tries for the Light Blues and Liam Coombes, Jack Daly and Aaron O’Byrne got one each. Neil Cronin converted all five tries.

Young Munster are in sixth position three points behind Garryowen with two games remaining after their 24-22 home win over bottom side Buccaneers. Alan Tynan scored two tries and two conversions for the Cookies, Ger Slattery and Luke Fitzgerald got a try each.

Division 1B leaders Ballynahinch had to come from 10-0 down at half time at home to Dolphin before emerging with a win 26-15. Brian Scott and Daryl Foley scored tries for Dolphin and Barry Keeshan kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Shannon maintained their challenge for a playoff place after their 24-21 home win against Old Wesley. Pa Ryan and Darren Gavin scored tries for Shannon and Conor Fitzgerald kicked four penalties and a conversion.

UCC kept their playoff chances alive with a 26-22 victory over Old Belvedere at Anglesea Road. Richie Walsh scored two tries for the students and Paul Kiernan and Shane McAuliffe got one each. James Taylor converted three of the tries.

The big relegation battle saw Ballymena defeat UL Bohemian 31-17 at Eaton Park. Adrian Enright, Harry Fleming and Jamie McNamara scored tries for UL Bohes and Robbie Bourke added one conversion. UL Bohes are now two points away from safety with two games remaining.

Division 2A leaders Malone took another big step towards automatic promotion with a 22-17 home win over third placed Cashel. Ed Leamy scored two tries for the Tipperary side and Darragh Lyons kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Second Placed Highfield defeated Queens University 43-36 in Belfast. Luke Kingston, Paul Stack and Fintan O’Sullivan each scored two tries for Highfield. Colin O’Neill got one. Paddy O’Toole added four conversions.

Nenagh Ormond’s hopes of a playoff suffered another setback as they lost 31-24 away to Greystones. The only good news for Nenagh was that their main Challenger City of Armagh also slipped up losing to Corinthians 30-29. Gearoid O’Gorman, David Gleeson, John Coffey and Peter Coman scored tries for Nenagh and Clayton Stewart kicked two conversions.

Sunday’s Well ensured their survival in Division 2B with a 25-10 home win over Wanderers, a result that almost certainly ends the Dublin side’s playoff chances. Luke O’Dea scored two tries for the Well and Ryan Buckley got one. Shane O’Riordan converted two and also added two penalties.

Division 2C leaders Thomond still remain in top position despite losing 21-14 away to Seapoint. Ger Finucane scored two tries for the Limerick side and Evan Cusack converted both.

The big shock of the day was Midleton’s 37-8 away win at Bangor but with the other sides who are avoiding the relegation playoff place also winning, the East Cork still have to reproduce these performances in their remaining three games to ensure Senior status next season. Louis Farnham scored two tries for Midleton; Daniel Murray, Michael Cronin and Denis Broderick got one each. Stuart Lee kicked three conversions and two penalties.

A try from Paddy Cleary and a David O’Grady conversion and penalty was not enough for Bruff who lost away to Sligo 31-10 a result that sees the County Limerick side closer to the relegation playoff place.

RESULTS:
All Ireland League Division 1A: Clontarf 30, Garryowen 35;
Lansdowne 76, Dublin University 26
Terenure College 35, St. Mary’s College 5;
UCD 27, Cork Constitution 39;
Young Munster 24, Buccaneers 22;
Division 1B: Ballymena 31, U.L. Bohemian 17;
Ballynahinch 26, Dolphin 15;
Naas 31, Banbridge 40;
Old Belvedere 22, U.C.C. 26;
Shannon 24, Old Wesley 21;
Division 2A: Blackrock College 33, Galwegians 20;
Galway Corinthians 30, City of Armagh 29;
Greystones 31, Nenagh Ormond 24;
Malone 22, Cashel 17;
Queens University 36, Highfield 43;
Division 2B: Navan 46, MU Barnhall 12;
Old Crescent 31, Dungannon 7;
Rainey Old Boys 31, Belfast Harlequins 21;
Skerries 48, City of Derry 10;
Sunday’s Well 25, Wanderers 10;
Division 2C: Bangor 8, Midleton 37;
Bective Rangers 22, Omagh 42;
Seapoint 21, Thomond 14;
Sligo 31, Bruff 10;
Tullamore 29, Malahide 18;