All Ireland League Roundup

With just two series of games remaining in the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League, the battle intensifies at the top and bottom of all five Divisions in a day that produced several surprising results.

With leaders Clontarf losing away to UCD in Division 1A, defending champions Terenure College staged a dramatic comeback at Temple Hill, when a late penalty gave them a surprising 26-23 victory. Jack Kelleher and Matthew Bowen scored tries for Con’ and Rob Hedderman converted both and added three penalties.

The two bottom sides in this Division both lost. Bottom side Dublin university lost 26-10 away to Young Munster. Gearoid Mulcahy, Fionn Gibbons and Aaron Roulston  scored tries for Young Munster, and they were also awarded a penalty try. Tadgh Bennett and Cian Casey each added a conversion.

City of Armagh’s 36-26 home win over Shannon, saw them move out of the relegation zone, John O’Sullivan, Kelvin Brown, Dan Hurley and Lee Nicholas scored tries for Shannon and Mike Cooke converted three of them.

In Division 1B, Garryowen and Highfield are in the play-off places and level on points after wins over the two bottom sides.

Garryowen ran in eight tries in their 55-26 home win over Queens University. Colm Quilligan scored two of the Light Blues tries, with Oisin Kearney, Max Clein, Bryan Fitzgerald, Neil Cronin, Colm Hogan, and Mikey Veale getting one each. Kelvin Langan kicked five conversions and a penalty. Jack Oliver also added a conversion.

Highfield defeated bottom side Buccaneers 24-7 at Dubarry Park, a result that almost means he Athlone side will be playing in Division 2A next season. Richard Cassidy scored two tries for Highfield, and Jamie Shannahan and Ross Anthony O’Neill got one apiece. Shane O’Riordan kicked two conversions.

A last minute try by Sean Edogbo earned UCC two valuable bonus points in their bid to avoid relegation as they lost 31-26 to the division winners St. Mary’s College at the Mardyke. Tom Coughlan (2), and Jack O’Sullivan were College’s other try scorers. Cian Whooley converted three of the tries.

Despite the top two sides in Division 2A losing, leaders Nenagh Ormond look almost certain to win the Division. They meet their nearest challengers M.U. Barnhall next week, with just a point will be enough to see them confirmed as champions. They were surprising beaten 15-11 in Navan, where Kevin O’Flaherty scored their try and Conor McMahon kicked two penalties.

Cashel made sure they will be involved in the playoffs, after their 23-10 home win over Greystones. Tom Tobin and Jamie Ryan scored tries for Cashel, and Ryan O’Sullivan converted both and also added three penalties.

A last minute try by Evan Creavan converted by Ronan McKenna earned Old Crescent a dramatic 22-20 win over Ballymena at Takumi Park and keeps them in the playoff places. Cathal Monaghan and Sean Monaghan were Crescent’s other try scorers, McKenna converted one of those tries and also added a penalty.

Bottom side Malone had a surprise 17-15 victory over UL Bohemian at Annacotty. Alan Kiely scored one of Bohs two tries and Harry Byrne kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Dolphin have slipped to the bottom of Division 2B following their 23-21 home defeat by Skerries. Craig O’Connell scored two of Dolphin’s three tries, and Cameron O’Shaughnessy got the other. All three were converted by Daryl Foley.

Midleton caused a big upset in Division 2C, when a last minute penalty by Conal Doyle gave them a 21-19 win away to runaway leaders Clogher Valley. Aaron Leahy and Joannes du Toit were Midleton’s try scorers, with Doyle contributing three penalties and a conversion.

Second placed Galwegians were too strong for Clonmel, winning 48-13 at Crowley Park. Albert Fronek scored Clonmel’s try and Josef O’Connor added two penalties.

Bangor who defeated a depleted Bruff side 21-6 are now bottom of the table. Paul Collins kicked two penalties for Bruff.

Results

Energia Men’s All Ireland League Division 1A:Ballynahinch 10,Lansdowne 5;

City of Armagh 36,Shannon 26;

Cork Constitution 23,Terenure College 26;

U.C.D. 38,Clontarf 32;

Young Munster 26,Dublin University 10;

Division 1B:Blackrock College 21,Old Belvedere 17;

Buccaneers 7,Highfield 24;

Garryowen 55,Queens University 26;

Naas 20,Old Wesley 39;

U.C.C. 26,St. Mary’s College 31;

Division 2A:Cashel 23,Greystones 10;

M.U. Barnhall 27,Banbridge 28;

Navan 15,Nenagh Ormond 11;

Old Crescent 22,Ballymena 20;

U.L. Bohemian 15,Malone 17;

Division 2B:Belfast Harlequins 17,Dungannon 17;

Dolphin 21,Skerries 23;

Instonians 48,Rainey Old Boys 14;

Malahide 22,Corinthians 24;

Wanderers 19,Sligo 26;

Division 2C:Ballina 35,Enniscorthy 31;

Bangor 21,Bruff 6;

Clogher Valley 19,Midleton 21;

Galwegians 46,Clonmel 13;

Omagh Academicals 30,Tullamore 17;