All Ireland League Roundup

29th September 2024 By Leonard Allen

A great day for the three Tipperary clubs in the Men’s All Ireland League, as all won and Young Munster continued their good start with their second win of the campaign.

At Castle Avenue Clontarf had to withstand a late rally from Garryowen before coming out on top 29-21 to take top spot in Division 1A. Des Fitzgerald, Colm Horgan and Gordon Wood scored tries for Garryowen and Kelvin Lenihan converted all three. It was proud day for Keith Wood, who saw his three sons Alex, Gordon and Tom all playing in the All Ireland League for the first time for the Light Blues.

Young Munster defeated Terenure College 34-30 to move into second place a point behind Clontarf at Tom Clifford Park. Sean Rigney, James Horrigan, Hubert Gilvarry and Manual Covella scored tries for the Cookies. Julian Leszczynski converted all four tries and kicked two penalties.

Cork Constitution bounced back from their defeat last week at Terenure, with an impressive 51-21 win at home to Ballynahinch. The Temple Hill side found themselves 14-0 down early in the game but two tries by Scott Buckley and one each by Matthew Bowen, Billy Crowley, Sean French, Adam Maher, Jack Kelleher and Billy Scannell saw the hosts run out comfortable winners. James Taylor kicked four conversions and a penalty.

In Division 1B, Nenagh Ormond continue their impressive start when trailing by twenty one points at one stage away to Blackrock College, they rallied for a 38-36 victory. Conor McMahon contributed two tries, five conversions and a penalty to the Tipperary side’s tally. Josh Rowland, Nicky Irwin and John O’Flaherty also scored tries.

Shannon staged a great recovery at the back pitch in Thomond Park to defeat Old Wesley 23-13 with tries from Adam Moloney and John O’Donnell. John O’Sullivan converted both tries and also added three penalties.

U.C.C. won the Cork derby at the Maryke with a facile 39-14 win against Highfield. Sean Condon, Gene O’Leary Karem, Neville O’Leary, Sam O’Sullivan and Jack Casey were the College try scorers and Daniel Squires kicked four conversions and two penalties. Travis Coomey and Elliot Smith replied with tries for Highfield and Shane O’Riordan converted both.

In Division 2A, Cashel defeated Banbridge 39-14 with tries from Tom Tobin (2), Jamie Ryan, Josh Pickering, Cormac O’Donnell and David Upton. Tim Townsend kicked four conversions.

Old Crescent had to settle for a share of the spoils at Navan as they played out a 22-22 draw. Casey Tanyi scored a try for the Rosbrien side and Ronan McKenna kicked five penalties and a conversion.

A late rally by U.L. Bohemian at Holmpatrick saw them snatch two points as they lost to Skerries 32-26 in Division 2B. Darren Ferrar scored two tries for Bohs, and Pauric Nesbitt and Jack Foley got one each. Oisin Fagan converted three of the tries.

Dolphin continued their good start in Division 2C with an overwhelming 53-15 home win against Omagh Academicals. Billy Kingston, Cameron O’Shaughnessy (2), James Vaughan, Jordan Soli, Craig O’Connell, Eoghan Herlihy and Matt Barry were the Dolphin try scorers. Soli added five conversions and a penalty.

Midleton conceded two late tries as they drew with Belfast Harlequins at Deramore Park 22-22. Kyle Read, Mark Corby and Johannes du Toit were the Midleton try scorers and Jack Colbert kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Clonmel had a comfortable 35-11 home win against Tullamore. Harry Buttimer scored two of Clonmel’s four tries with Albert Fronek and Alex Sheehan the other try scorers. Josef O’Connor kicked three conversions and three penalties.

Newcomers Monkstown recorded their first win of the campaign with a narrow 24-21 home win over Bruff. Kieran O’Dwyer and John Bateman scored tries for Bruff. Ethan Anderson kicked a conversion, and a penalty and Paul Collins added two penalties.

In the opening round of the Women’s All Ireland League, holders U.L. Bohemian made a winning start defeating Blackrock College 31-15 at Stradbrook. Beth Buttimer scored two of UL Bohs five tries, with Claire Bennett, Clodagh O’Halloran and Saoirse Crowe getting one each. Kate Flannery kicked three conversions.

Ballincollig picked up a losing point from their trip to Crowley Park, where they lost 22-17 to Galwegians. Brigid Twomey scored two tries for Ballincollig and Gemma Lane got one. Emma Connolly kicked one conversion.

RESULTS

Energia All Ireland League Division 1A:City of Armagh 22,St. Mary’s College 32;

Clontarf 29,Garryowen 21;

Cork Constitution 51,Ballynahinch 21;

Lansdowne 25,U.C.D. 10;

Young Munster 34,Terenure College 30;

Division 1B:Blackrock College 36,Nenagh Ormond 38;

Dublin University 19,Old Belvedere 43;

Naas 61,Queen’s University 21;

Shannon 23,Old Wesley 13;

U.C.C. 9,Highfield 14;

Division 2A:Cashel 38,Banbridge 24;