All Ireland League Roundup
16th December 2023 By Leonard Allen
The Men’s All Ireland League has reached the halfway stage with Munster derby victories for Young Munster, Nenagh Ormond, Old Crescent and Bruff, while Garryowen and UCC shared the spoils at Dooradoyle.
At Tom Clifford Park, Young Munster came from eighteen points down at half time to defeat Cork Constitution 22-21 in Division 1A. Stephen McLoughlin, Chris Moore, and James O’Brien scored tries for the Cookies and Shane O’Leary kicked two conversions and a penalty. James Taylor, Matthew Bowen, and Harry O’Riordan replied with tries for the Temple Hill side and Taylor converted all three tries.
Tries by Jack O’Donnell, Lee Nicholas and Sam Birrane were not enough for Shannon, who lost away to leaders Clontarf 38-21. Mike Cooke converted all three tries for the Limerick side.
Highfield moved up to fourth place with a hard earned 13-12 away win at Naas in Division 1B, where Travis Coomey scored Highfield’s try and Shane Buckley converted and added two penalties.
Garryowen and UCC shared 70 points in a thrilling encounter at Dooradoyle. Colm Quilligan scored three tries for the Light Blues and Colm Hogan and Bryan Fitzgerald were the home side’s other try scorers. Jack Delaney kicked two penalties and a conversion. Jack Oliver also added a conversion. Mike Cogan replied with two tries for the College and Pat McBarron and Tom Coughlan were their other try scorers. Cian Whooley kicked three penalties and three conversions.
Nenagh Ormond have extended their lead to eight points at the top of Division 2A after they won the Tipperary derby defeating second place Cashel 20-16. Josh Rowland, John Healy, and Ben Pope scored tries for Nenagh, with Pope adding a conversion and a penalty. Tom Tobin was Cashel’s try scorer and Ben Twomey converted and added three penalties.
Old Crescent defeated UL Bohemian 24-20 with tries from Daithi Byrnes and Cathal Monaghan. Ronan McKenna converted one of the tries and also added four penalties. Killian Dineen, Paul Clancy and Joe Johnson replied with tries for UL Bohs, and Harry Byrne kicked a conversion and a penalty.
Despite losing 30-24 away to Malahide, Dolphin picked up two points from their Division 2B encounter in Dublin. Craig O’Connell scored two tries for Dolphin, and Alex Pope and Cameron O’Shaughnessy contributed one each. Daryl Foley converted two of the tries.
In Division 2C, Bruff kept their promotion hopes alive with a 23-20 home win over Midleton. John Sheehan and Sean Kilbridge scored tries for Bruff and Paul Collins kicked three penalties and two conversions. Midleton replied with tries Johannes du Toit, Mark Corby, and Lee McSherry. Fionn McGibney kicked a conversion and a penalty.
Clonmel eased their relegation worries with a 32-26 home win over Enniscorthy. Josef O’Connor, Luke Hogan, Conor Hogan and Harry Buttimer were Clonmel’s try scorers and O’Connor kicked three conversions and two penalties.
Results:
All Ireland League Division 1A:City of Armagh 18,Ballynahinch 29;
Clontarf 38,Shannon 21;
Dublin University 14,Terenure College 31;
U.C.D. 44,Lansdowne 40;
Young Munster 22,Cork Constitution 21;
Division 1B:Blackrock College 19,Buccaneers 26;
Garryowen 35,U.C.C. 35;
Naas 12,Highfield 13;
Old Wesley 9,Old Belvedere 10;
Queens University 17,St. Mary’s College 22;
Division 2A:Cashel 16,Nenagh Ormond 20;
Greystones 20,Banbridge 30;
M.U. Barnhall 39,Navan 32;
Malone 16,Ballymena 19;
U.L. Bohemian 20,Old Crescent 24;
Division 2B:Instonians 63,Belfast Harlequins 22;
Malahide 30,Dolphin 24;
Rainey Old Boys 27,Dungannon 16;
Sligo 11,Corinthians 15;
Wanderers 39,Skerries 17;
Division 2C:Bangor 25,Tullamore 31;
Bruff 23,Midleton 20;
Clogher Valley 14,Omagh Academicals 18;
Clonmel 32,Enniscorthy 26;
Galwegians 27,Ballina 18;