All Ireland League Roundup

The Men’s All Ireland League resumed after the Christmas break, as the battle intensifies for the playoff places across all five Divisions.

In Division 1A leaders Clontarf had to battle all the way with a 24-20 away win in Limerick against Shannon. Tadgh O’Brien and Luke Murphy scored tries for Shannon and Mike Cooke kicked both conversions and two penalties.

Cork Constitution moved up into second place after their 23-13 victory over Young Munster at Temple Hill. Rob Hedderman and Rob Jermyn scored tries for Con’ and George Coomber kicked two conversions and three penalties. Sean Rigney replied with a try for Young Munster and Tony Butler converted and also added two penalties.

In Division 1B, Highfield had a convincing 50-12 victory at home to Naas. Ben Murphy scored two of their seven tries. Darragh Fitzgerald, Ross O’Neill, Miah Cronin and Rob Murphy were their other try scorers. They were also awarded a penalty try. Shane Buckley kicked four conversions and a penalty, with Shane O’Riordan also adding a conversion.

Garryowen kept their playoff places alive with a 23-10 win against UCC at the Mardyke. Colm Hogan, JJ O’Neill, and Jeronimo Pena scored tries for the Light Blues and Jack Oliver added two penalties and a conversion. Luke McAuliffe replied with a try for College and Cian Whooley converted, and Billy Kiernan kicked a penalty.

Nenagh Ormond lost their unbeaten record in Division 2, when local rivals Cashel defeated them 20-13 at the North Tipperary venue, but still remain top of the table five points clear of their Tipperary rivals. Kevin O’Connor scored a try for Cashel, who were also awarded a penalty try. Ben Twomey kicked two penalties and a conversion. Nenagh replied with a try from David Gleeson. Colm McMahon converted and also added a penalty. Ben Pope also kicked a penalty for the home side.

Old Crescent won the Limerick derby at Takumi Park on a 34-7 scoreline. Sean Donnarumma opened the scoring for Crescent with a try which Ronan McKenna converted. UL Bohs were level when Liam Neilan scored a try for the visitors and Harry Byrne converted. Further tries from Joe Rickard, Daithi Byrnes and Evan Creavan saw Old Crescent move to within a point of the playoff places. McKenna completed the scoring with three more conversions, a penalty, and a drop goal.

Dolphin put in the performance of the day when they defeated Malahide 29-19 at Virgin Media Park, having to play over half the game with only thirteen players following two red cards in their Division 2B clash. Cameron O’Shaughnessy (2), John Fitzgerald and Philip Dowling were Dolphin’s try scorers. Daryl Foley kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Promotion chasing Bruff received a set back at the Towns Park when they went down to Midleton 39-15 in Division 2C. Evan Donovan scored two tries for Midleton, and Jack Colbert and, Johannes DuToit were their other try scorers. They were also awarded a penalty try. Colbert added three conversions and two penalties. Paul Collins replied with a try, conversion, and a penalty for Bruff, with Eric Finn scoring their other try.

Clonmel were no match for Enniscorthy at the Wexford venue suffering a 45-21 defeat. Josef O’Connor contributed two tries and three conversions to Clonmel’s tally with Luke Hogan also scoring a try.

Results:

All Ireland League Division 1A:

Ballynahinch 36,City of Armagh 12;

Cork Constitution 23,Young Munster 13;

Lansdowne 30,U.C.D. 26;

Shannon 20,Clontarf 24;

Terenure College 26,Dublin University 17;

Division 1B:Buccaneers 21,Blackrock College 23;

Highfield 50,Naas 12;

Old Belvedere 3,Old Wesley 20;

St. Mary’s College 36,Queens University 14;

U.C.C. 10,Garryowen 23;

Division 2A:Ballymena 8,Malone 9;

Banbridge 19,Greystones 20;

Navan 19,M.U. Barnhall 24;

Nenagh Ormond 13,Cashel 20;

Old Crescent 34,U.L. Bohemian 7;

Division 2B:Belfast Harlequins 26,Instonians 32;

Corinthians 10,Sligo 7;

Dolphin 29,Malahide 19;

Dungannon 21,Rainey Old Boys 8;

Skerries 0,Wanderers 40;

Division 2C:Ballina 16,Galwegians 29;

Enniscorthy 45,Clonmel 21;

Midleton 39,Bruff 15;

Omagh Academicals 7,Clogher Valley 17;

Tullamore 33,Bangor 12;