All Ireland League Roundup

Eight Munster clubs will be involved in the playoffs in the All Ireland League over the next few weeks, as the concluding round of league games resulted in four Ulster Clubs (City of Armagh, Queens University, Instonians, and Clogher Valley) along with Greystones winning promotion.

Young Munster and Cork Constitution, who had already booked their play-off places, finished their campaign at Tom Clifford Park, where the visitors took the honours on a 36-26 scoreline. Con’ dominated the opening half and were 19-0 ahead after thirty minutes. A try by Harry Fleming converted by Evan Cusack made it 7-19 at the interval.

Two tries by Conor Philips and one by Liam Neilan, two of which Cusack converted put the home side 26-24 ahead with fifteen minutes to go, but Con’ finished the stronger with a penalty try  and an unconverted try to take the spoils. Next week Young Munster will travel to Clontarf and Con’ will be away to Terenure College in the Division 1 League semi-finals.

Shannon lost away to Terenure College 29-17 and will now be involved in the Division 1A Promotion playoff. Michael Cooke, Ethan Coughlan and Jack O’Donnell scored tries for Shannon. Cooke kicked one conversion.

Garryowen finished their campaign with a 66-14 defeat by Dublin University at College Park.

Tries by James Taylor and Luke Kingston were not enough for Highfield who lost 16-10 away to Banbridge but they will be involved in the Division 1A playoffs next week with a trip to Old Belvedere, while Shannon will host Old Wesley in the other tie.

UCC kept their place in Division 1B next season, coming from 10-3 down at halftime to beat Malone 20-10 at the Mardyke.

Nenagh Ormond completed their campaign in Division 2A with a 26-21 home win over UL Bohemian. Josh Rowland and Derek Corcoran each scored two tries each foe Nenagh and Conor McMahon kicked three conversions.

Nenagh must now travel to Blackrock College in the Division 1B playoff next week, while UL Bohemian will play Sligo at Annacotty in the Division 2A playoff.

Queens University made sure of their place in Division 1B, when they won the Division 2A title at Musgrave Park with a 98-21 win against Dolphin. Alex Pope, Rob Reardon, and Craig O’Connell scored tries for Dolphin, and all three were converted by Tomas Quinlan.

A second-half fightback by Old Crescent saw them come from 21-12 down at halftime to beat M.U. Barnhall 29-21 at Takumi Park. Sean Monaghan (2), Eoin Murphy, and Lee O’Grady were among the Crescent try scorers.

There was plenty of drama in Division 2C with the final places of clubs unclear until the final whistle.

Bruff were the big winners finishing fourth with a 34-27 away win at Omagh Academicals, having been 20-13 behind at halftime. Sean Kilbridge, Kieran O’dwyer, Tom Quigley, Shane Duggan, and TG Coffey were Bruff’s try scorers, Kilbridge kicked a penalty and three conversions.

Bruff will travel to Galwegians next week in the semi-final Division 2B playoff.

Clonmel’s recent slump saw them lose to Midleton 24-13 at the East Cork venue, and a place in the playoffs. Midleton’s failure to get a bonus point victory, means that Ballina and Omagh retain their status.  Midleton will now host Richmond on Saturday 29^th April to decide which Club will be playing in the AIL Division 2C next season or in the Munster Junior League.

Aaron Leahy, Ryan Lehane, and Josh Deady scored tries for Midleton and Stuart Lee kicked three conversions and a penalty. Luke Hogan replied with a try for Clonmel and Josef O’Connor kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Sunday’s Well will be playing in the Munster Junior League next season after they finished bottom of Division 2C despite a 31-27 bonus point win at home to Bangor. Ross Taylor scored two tries for the ‘Well, and Cormac Kelliher, Shane Keevers, and Finn MacFhlannchadha got one each. Fabien Loughrey kicked two conversions and Kelliher one. 

Results:

All Ireland League Division 1A:Ballynahinch 17, Lansdowne 7;

Clontarf 50, U.C.D. 29;

Dublin University 40, Garryowen 7;

Terenure College 29, Shannon 17;

Young Munster 26, Cork Constitution 36;

Division 1B:Banbridge 16, Highfield 10;

Buccaneers 24, City of Armagh 31;

Naas 35, Old Wesley 39;

St. Mary’s College 21, Old Belvedere 32;

U.C.C. 20, Malone 10;

Division 2A:Ballymena   31, Blackrock College 34;

Cashel 31, Navan 21;

Dolphin 21, Queens University 98;

Nenagh Ormond 26, U.L. Bohemian 21;

Old Crescent 29, M.U. Barnhall 21;

Division 2B:Galwegians 42, Dungannon 33;

Greystones 31, Enniscorthy 27;

Rainey Old Boys 24, Galway Corinthians 18;

Sligo 40, Belfast Harlequins 7;

Wanderers 36, Malahide 19;

Division 2C:Midleton 24, Clonmel 13;

Omagh Academicals 27, Bruff 34;

Skerries 45, Ballina 28;

Tullamore 29, Instonians 68;

Sunday’s Well 31, Bangor 27;