All Ireland League Roundup

With the final placings decided in the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League, after the concluding round of games, Cork Constitution booked a home tie against Clontarf in the Division 1A semi-final, while Garryowen, Cashel and Bruff also booked play-off semi-finals places, while Shannon, UL Bohemian and Dolphin all face relegation play-offs.

In Division 1A of the Energia Men’s All Ireland League Cork Constitution ensured a home semi-final place with a convincing 40-24 away win against City of Armagh. Billy Crowley and Daniel Hurley each scored two tries for the Temple Hill side, and Matthew Bowen and Billy Scannell got one each. James Taylor converted five of the tries.

Shannon’s 33-17 defeat at the UCD Bowl means they will be involved in the Division 1A relegation-promotion play-offs where they will host Old Belvedere in the semi-finals. Jade Kriel and Josh Costello scored tries for Shannon. Mike Cooke converted both and also added a penalty.

Young Munster brought their campaign to a finish with a 29-24 home defeat by fourth place Lansdowne. Fionn Gibbons scored two tries for the Cookies, and James Hourigan and Harry Fleming got one each. Tony Butler kicked two conversions.

Garryowen defeated Highfield 31-10 in Division 1B at Dooradoyle. A result that sees Garryowen away to Old Wesley in the semi-final of the Division 1A promotion play-offs, while Highfield miss out on the play-offs because of Old Belvedere’s better points difference. Bryan Fitzgerald scored two tries for Garryowen, and Colm Hogan and Cian Hurley got one each. Jack Oliver kicked two conversions. Timmy Duggan replied with two tries for Highfield.

UCC put in an impressive performance at Stradbrook with a 26-19 win against Blackrock College. Luke McAuliffe, Evan Clarke, Cian Whooley and Mike Cogan scored tries for the College and Whooley added three conversions.

Cashel will play MU Barnhall in the Division 2A play-offs. They defeated Banbridge 12-7 at the Spafield with two tries from James Ryan and a conversion by Jack Evenden.

Old Crescent’s hopes of a play-off place came unstuck after they lost away to MU Barnhall 26-17. Jack Considine and John Lyons scored tries for Crescent and Ronan McKenna converted both tries and also added a penalty.

UL Bohemian will be involved in the Division 2A-Division 2B play offs where they will have home advantage against Sligo, after they lost at home to champions Nenagh Ormond 25-16. Harry Byrne gave UL Bohs an early 6-0 lead with two penalties but tries from Willie Coffey, Derek Corcoran, John O’Flaherty, and Josh Rowland ensured Nenagh picked up the spoils. Rowland added a conversion and a penalty. Byrne added a third penalty and converted a try by Liam Neilan for the hosts.

A bonus point 31-17 home win over Dungannon ensured Dolphin avoided automatic relegation from Division 2B. They will now be involved in the Division 2B-Division 2C play offs, where they will have a home game against Enniscorthy. Phil Dowling, Craig O’Connell, and Ryan Foley were among the Dolphin try scorers and Daryl Foley kicked three conversions.

Bruff made certain of their place in the Division 2C play-offs after a last minute try by Kieran O’Dwyer earned them a 19-14 home win against Clonmel. Tries from Brendan Gleeson and Shane Duggan, both converted by Paul Collins had Bruff 14-0 ahead at half time. Tries by Ben Masuku and Josef O’Connor, both converted by O’Connor brought Clonmel level until O’Dwyer’s late try decided the contest. Bruff will now travel to Galwegians in the play-offs.

A last minute penalty for Bangor gave them a last minute 18-15 home win against Midleton. Evan Donovan and Johannes du Toit were the Midleton try scorers and Stuart Lee kicked a conversion and a penalty.

In the Women’s All Ireland League, leaders UL Bohemian lost their unbeaten record, when they lost away to second placed Railway Union 43-22, and now just hold a point advantage, ahead of next week’s final round of games. Clodagh O’Halloran, Clara Barrett, Alana McInerney, and Aoife Corey scored tries for the leaders and Kate Flannery added one conversion.

Ballincollig suffered another heavy defeat going down to Old Belvedere 50-12. Ciara Coombes and Laurileigh Baker scored tries for the Cork side and Emma Connolly kicked a conversion.

Results:

Energia Men’s All Ireland League Division 1A:Ballynahinch 15,Terenure College 34;

City of Armagh 24,Cork Constitution 40;

Clontarf 31,Dublin University 12;

U.C.D. 33,Shannon 17;

Young Munster 24,Lansdowne 29;

Division 1B:Blackrock College 19,U.C.C. 26;

Buccaneers 12,St. Mary’s College 32;

Garryowen 31,Highfield 10;

Naas 29,Old Belvedere 34;

Old Wesley 52,Queens University 15;

Division 2A:Cashel 12,Banbridge 7;

Greystones 21,Malone 10;

M.U. Barnhall 26,Old Crescent 17;

Navan 15,Ballymena 5;

U.L. Bohemian 16,Nenagh Ormond 25;

Division 2B:Dolphin 31,Dungannon 17;

Instonians 74,Skerries 19;

Malahide 22,Belfast Harlequins 17;

Sligo 17,Rainey Old Boys 13;

Wanderers 26,Galway Corinthians 27;

Division 2C:Bangor 18,Midleton 15;

Bruff 19,Clonmel 14;

Clogher Valley 41,Ballina 12;

Galwegians 31,Tullamore 12;

Omagh Academicals 24,Enniscorthy 5;

Energia Women’s All Ireland League:Blackrock College 32,Cooke 5;

Galwegians 21,Wicklow 22;

Old Belvedere 50,Ballincollig 12;

Railway Union 43,U.L. Bohemian 22;