All Ireland League Roundup

There were defeats for all three Munster sides in Division 1A of the All-Ireland League, but Cork Constitution remain on top despite a dramatic defeat at Castle Avenue.

A converted try in the final play of the game gave Clontarf a 15-13 home win against leaders Cork Constitution in a top of the table clash in Division 1A. The visitors who led 7-0 at half time with a try by George Good, converted by James Taylor, extended their advantage with a Taylor penalty to ten points early in the second half. Clontarf hit back to close the gap to two points, but a second Taylor penalty made it 13-8 in Con’s favour, until the final action of the contest decided the outcome.

Young Munster’s hopes of a play-off place got slimmer, after their 29-14 away defeat by Lansdowne. The sides were level 14-14 early in the second half with Samson Seinafo and Stephen McLoughlin scoring tries for the Limerick side and Julian Leszczynski converting both, but Lansdowne finished the stronger to claim victory.

Garryowen remain rooted to the foot of the table, nine points adrift of automatic relegation, after their 17-12 home defeat by Ballynahinch. Garryowen dominated the opening half and led 12-7 at the interval with two tries from Ronan Quinn and a Jack Oliver conversion. A converted try and a penalty after the break saw Ballynahinch take the spoils.

In Division 1B, Nenagh Ormond defeated Highfield 38-25 to retain second spot but are nine points behind leaders Old Belvedere, while at the other end of the table Highfield are in the relegation play-off spot and just four points clear of bottom side Shannon. Dylan Murphy scored two of Nenagh’s six tries, with Kevin O’Flaherty, Conor O’Shaughnessy, Fionn O’Meara and Josh Rowland being the other try scorers. Conor McMahon kicked four conversions. Darragh Fitzgerald replied with two tries for Highfield and Eoin Dorgan got one, Shane O’Riordan kicked two conversions and two penalties.

U.C.C. collected maximum points from their 29-24 win over Naas at the Mardyke to keep alive their hopes of a play-off place. Peter Hyland, Luke McAuliffe, Dave Cogan and Kamis Novak scored tries for College with Harry Murphy kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Shannon put up a fighting performance away to Dublin University but only ended up with a losing bonus point after they suffered a narrow 20-19 defeat. Cian O’Halloran scored Shannon’s try and Jamie Gavin kicked four penalties and a conversion.

In Division 2A: Cashel drew level on points with Greystones, after they defeated the Wicklow side 20-15 at the Spafield. Padraig Leamy and Joseph Callery scored tries for Cashel and Ben Twomey converted both and also added two penalties.

Old Crescent defeated bottom side Buccaneers 42-10 with two tries from Oisin Toland and one each by Karl Madden, Timmy Duggan, John Toland and Jed O’Dwyer. Ronan McKenna converted all six tries.

U.L. Bohemian’s hopes of a promotion play-off place have further receded after their 41-22 away defeat to leaders Wanderers in Division 2B. Matt Sheahan, Oisin Fagan and Paudie Nesbitt were the ‘Bohs try scorers, with Fagan kicking two conversions and a penalty.

There was nearly a major upset at the Towns Park in Midleton as the home side had  to rely on a last minute penalty try to beat struggling Tullamore 17-12, to maintain their lead at the top of Division 2C. Johannes du Toit scored Midleton’s other try, which Kyle Reid converted, and Jack Colbert kicked a penalty.

Clonmel’s 25-25 away win over Belfast Harlequins sees them move ahead of Dolphin and into the play-off places. Josef O’Connor, Freddie Davies and Gerrit Huisamen were the Clonmel try scorers and O’Conor kicked two conversions and two penalties.

A try by Cameron O’Shaughnessy converted by Jordan Soli was not enough for Dolphin who lost away to Monkstown 20-7.

Bruff suffered a heavy defeat going down to Enniscorthy 34-8. Shane Duggan scored Bruff’s try, and Paul Collins added a penalty.

In the Women’s All Ireland League Munster derby clash, U.L. Bohemian ran in eleven tries in their 59-0 win over Ballincollig at Tanner Park. Laoise McGonagle, Eilis Cahill, and Brianna Heylmann each scored two tries, and Clara Barrett, Éabha Nic Dhonnacha, Stephanie Nunan, Clodagh O’Halloran and Abby Moyle got one apiece. Moyle and Kate Flannery each kicked a conversion.

RESULTS-

Energia All Ireland League Division 1A:City of Armagh 31,Terenure College 29;

Clontarf 15,Cork Constitution 13;

Garryowen 12,Ballynahinch 17;

Lansdowne 29,Young Munster 14;

St. Mary’s College 36,U.C.D. 14;

Division 1B:Blackrock College 28,Queen’s University 7;

Dublin University 20,Shannon 19;

Nenagh Ormond 38,Highfield 25;

Old Belvedere 13,Old Wesley 10;

U.C.C. 29,Naas 24;

Division 2A:Banbridge 30,Ballymena 25;

Buccaneers 10,Old Crescent 42;

Cashel 20,Greystones 15;

Instonians 31,Galway Corinthians 12;

M.U. Barnhall 34,Navan 29;

Division 2B:Clogher Valley 18,Dungannon 21;

Galwegians 17,Malone 14;

Rainey 21,Malahide 10;

Skerries 7,Sligo 12;

Wanderers 41,U.L. Bohemian 22;

Division 2C:Ballyclare 31,Omagh Academicals 12;

Belfast Harlequins 22,Clonmel 25;

Enniscorthy 34,Bruff 8;

Midleton 17,Tullamore 12;

Monkstown 20,Dolphin 7;

Energia Women’s All Ireland League:Ballincollig 0,U.L. Bohemian 59;

Cooke 10,Blackrock College 26;

Galwegians 15,Suttonians 15;

Railway Union 86,Tullow 0;

Wicklow 12,Old Belvedere 25;