All Ireland League Roundup

With just three round of games remaining in the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League, the battle intensifies at the top and bottom of all five Divisions.

Clontarf have extended their lead to two points at the top of Division 1A after their 31-12 bonus point win against Young Munster at Castle Avenue. Chris Moore and James Horrigan scored tries for Young Munster and Cian Casey added a conversion.

Cork Constitution kept their challenge alive with a 25-19 win over Lansdowne at the Aviva Stadium back pitch. Matt Bowen was the Temple Hill side’s star as he scored their three tries  and Rob Hedderman kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Shannon are still in the relegation zone on points difference after they battled back for a 20-14 home win against Ballynahinch. Cian O’Halloran and Jordan Prenderville scored tries for Shannon and they were also awarded a penalty try. Mike Cooke added a penalty.

Garryowen lost ground at the top of Division 1B after they suffered a 21-10 defeat at Donnybrook away to Old Wesley. Bryan Fitzgerald scored Garryowen’s try and Dylan Hicks kicked a conversion and a penalty as the visitors raced into an early 10-0 lead.

Highfield moved back into the promotion places after their 24-17 home win over UCC in a Cork local derby tie. Ross Anthony O’Neill, Jamie Shanahan and Eoin Keating scored tries for Highfield, who were also awarded a penalty try. Shane O’Riordan kicked a conversion. Cian Whooley and Danny McGrath replied with tries for College and Whooley converted both tries and also added a penalty.

Nenagh Ormond collected all points on offer as they defeated Old Crescent 24-3 at the Tipperary venue, to remain top of Division 2A. Ronan McKenna gave Old Crescent an early lead with a penalty, but two tries from Conor McMahon and Josh Rowland, along with two conversions by McMahon saw Nenagh continue their march to a place in Division 1B next season.

Cashel lost ground as they suffered a 20-13 defeat away to Ballymena. Cashel led 13-7 at the break  with a penalty try and two penalties by Ben Twomey, but a poor second half performance was to prove costly.

UL Bohemian also lost ground as they suffered a 24-13 away defeat at Greystones.

A battling second half fight back saw Dolphin pick up two valuable points despite going down 29-28 away to Galway Corinthians in their relegation battle in Division 2B. The Cork side who trailed 19-7 at half time had tries from Philip Elwood, Eoghan Herlihy, Charlie Whitford and a penalty try. Daryl Foley kicked three conversions.

A great fight back by Bruff who trailed 30-10 at one stage in their home Division 2B tie against Galwegians, saw them snatch victory with a last minute penalty by Paul Collins. Tries by Cillian Rea, Andrew O’Byrne and two by Mark Fitzpatrick were to prove crucial. Collins kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Midleton defeated Omagh Academicals with 30-13 bonus point win at the Towns Park. Johannes du Toit scored three of Midleton’s five tries, with Mark Corby and Richie Daly  getting the others. Jack Colbert kicked  a penalty and Conall Doyle added a conversion.

Clonmel lost at home to run away leaders Clogher Valley 29-15. Josef O’Connor, and Luke Hogan were Clonmel try’ scorers, with O’Connor adding a conversion and a penalty.

In the Energia Women’s All Ireland League, UL Bohemian continued their good run with a 28-7 away win at Cooke. Chloe Pearse scored two tries for the Limerick side and Lily Brady and Ciara O’Dwyer got one each. Aisling Stock kicked four conversions.

Ballincollig lost away to Wicklow 32-24 despite leading 17-14 at the interval. Laurileigh Baker scored two tries for the Cork side and Brigid Twohig and Kelly Griffin got one apiece. Anna Roche kicked two conversions.

Results:

Energia Men’s All Ireland League Division 1A:Clontarf 31,Young Munster 12;

Dublin University 31,City of Armagh 26;

Lansdowne 19,Cork Constitution 25;

Shannon 20,Ballynahinch 14;

Terenure College 19,U.C.D. 12;

Division 1B:Highfield 24,U.C.C. 17;

Old Belvedere 36,Buccaneers 28;

Old Wesley 21,Garryowen 10;

Queens University 36,Blackrock College 14;

St. Mary’s College 31,Naas 17;

Division 2A:Ballymena 20,Cashel 13;

Banbridge 15,Navan 19;

Greystones 24,U.L. Bohemian 13;

Malone 22,M.U. Barnhall 36;

Nenagh Ormond 24,Old Crescent 3;

Division 2B:Corinthians 29,Dolphin 28;

Dungannon 18,Wanderers 31;

Rainey Old Boys 21,Malahide 25;

Skerries 33,Belfast Harlequins 46;

Sligo 25,Instonians 24;

Division 2C:Bruff 32,Galwegians 30;

Clonmel 15,Clogher Valley 29;

Enniscorthy 48,Bangor 15;

Midleton 23,Omagh Academicals 13;

Tullamore 38,Ballina 18;

Energia Women’s All Ireland League:Cooke 7,U.L. Bohemian 28;

Galwegians 14,Blackrock College 10;

Suttonians 12,Old Belvedere 39;

Wicklow 32,Ballincollig 24;