All Ireland League Roundup

A stunning victory for UL Bohemian saw them come from 12-5 down at half time to defeat holders Railway Union 34-12 in the final of the Women’s All Ireland Cup at Coolmine, while Cork Constitution closed to within a point of leaders Clontarf in Division 1A of the Men’s All Ireland League.

Whatever was said to UL Bohemian at half time worked wonders as they scored 29 unanswered points after the break to reclaim the trophy.

Eva McCormack opened UL Bohs’ account with a try after the Dublin side took the lead with a converted try. Two tries from Rachel Allen and one each by Laoise McGonagle and Clara Barrett added further tries after the break. Eabha Nic Dhonnacha kicked two conversions and a penalty and Allen also added a conversion.

For the second successive week Division 1A Men’s All Ireland League leaders Clontarf suffered defeat, when they lost to Cork Constitution at Temple Hill 27-26 in a thriller, with James Taylor kicking the winning score in the final minute of the contest.

The losing bonus point Clontarf picked up was enough to keep them top of the pile, Con’ led 16-6 at halftime and were 21-9 ahead midway through the second half, as the visitors staged a late rally that nearly saw them snatch victory. Jack Kelleher, Rob Jermyn, and Ronan O’Sullivan scored tries for Con’ and Taylor added four penalties.

A view of Cork Constitution v Clontarf at Temple Hill on Saturday. Photo Credit: Colbert O’Sullivan

Young Munster’s hopes of finishing in the top four received a major set back as they lost 29-21 away to struggling City of Armagh. Stephen McLoughlin and Shay McCarthy scored tries for the Limerick side and Cian Casey converted both. They were also awarded a penalty try.

Shannon suffered a heavy 31-5 home defeat by defending champions Terenure College and slipped into the relegation zone. Stephen Kiely scored Shannon’s try.

Garryowen moved up to third place in Division 1B after their 20-17 away win at Blackrock College. The Light Blues led 17-0 at half time with two tries from JJ O’Neill and one by Jeronimo Cipriano. Jack Oliver added one conversion before Blackrock rallied in the second half to level.  Oliver won the game for Garryowen with a late penalty.

Highfield also needed a late penalty from Shane Buckley to beat Queens University 22-19 at Woodleigh Park to move up to fourth place. Ross O’Neill, Ryan Murphy and Mark Dorgan scored tries for Highfield and Buckley converted two of the tries.

UCC suffered a 35-10 defeat at home to Old Wesley and now have a battle with avoiding relegation in the next few weeks. Sean Edogbo scored College’s try and Cian Whooly kicked a conversion and a penalty.

In Division 2A Nenagh Ormond extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points with a crushing 83-12 win against bottom side Malone at the Tipperary venue. They scored 13 tries from Willie Coffey (3), David Gleeson (2), Conor McMahon (2), Patrick Scully (2), Derek Corcoran, Nicky Irwin, Josh Rowland, and Micky Doran. McMahon kicked eight conversions and Conor O’Brien one.

Cashel remain in second place after their 13-13 draw away to Navan. Kevin O’Connor scored Cashel’s try and Ben Twomey kicked two penalties and a conversion.

A try by Ihechi Oji was not enough for UL Bohemian who lost away to MU Barnhall 38-5.

Old Crescent kept their promotion hopes alive with a 13-10 home win over Greystones. Darragh O’Brien scored Crescent’s try and Ronan McKenna converted and added two penalties.

Dolphin have moved off the foot of the table in Division 2B after picking up a losing bonus point in their 21-15 defeat by Wanderers at Virgin Media Park. Phil Dowling and Eoghan Herlihy scored tries for Dolphin and Daryl Foley kicked a conversion and a penalty.

A late rally by Bruff saw them defeat bottom side Ballina 20-12 at the Mayo venue. Mark Fitzpatrick, Cal McCarthy, and Paul Collins scored tries for Bruff. Collins kicked a penalty and Ethan Anderson a conversion.

Midleton eased their relegation worries with a 24-19 home win against Enniscorthy. Johannes du Toit scored two tries for the East Cork side and skipper Idris Rqibi one. Stuart Lee converted the three tries and also added a penalty.

Clonmel suffered a 19-14 defeat away to Tullamore, scoring two late converted tries to secure a losing bonus point. Alex Sheehan and Luke Hogan were Clonmel’s try scorers and Josef O’Connor converted both.

Results:

Men’s All Ireland League Division 1A:Ballynahinch 40,U.C.D. 13;

City of Armagh 29,Young Munster 21;

Cork Constitution 27,Clontarf 26;

Lansdowne 31,Dublin University 19;

Shannon 5,Terenure College 31;

Division 1B:Blackrock College 17,Garryowen 20;

Buccaneers 15,Naas 21;

Highfield 22,Queens University 19;

Old Belvedere 33,St. Mary’s College 35;

U.C.C. 10,Old Wesley 35;

Division 2A:Banbridge 32,Ballymena ;

M.U. Barnhall 38,U.L. Bohemian 5;

Navan 13,Cashel 13;

Nenagh Ormond 83,Malone 12;

Old Crescent 13,Greystones 10;

Division 2B:Belfast Harlequins 17,Sligo 25;

Corinthians 38,Dungannon 0;

Dolphin 15,Wanderers 21;

Malahide 23,Instonians 31;

Skerries 29,Rainey Old Boys 24;

Division 2C:Ballina 12,Bruff 20;

Clogher Valley 20,Galwegians 7;

Midleton 24,Enniscorthy 19;

Omagh Academicals 14,Bangor 7;

Tullamore 19,Clonmel 14;

Women’s All Ireland Cup Final: Railway Union 12,U.L. Bohemian 34;