All Ireland League Roundup

It was an exciting finish to the final round of games in the All Ireland League with Shannon being promoted back to the top flight of club rugby while points difference decided numerous promotion and relegation places for the upcoming play-offs.

In Division 1A Garryowen ensured their place in the play-offs after a 48-26 home win over St. Mary’s College to finish in fourth place. Hero for Garryowen was Liam Coombes who scored three of his side’s seven tries.

Dave McCarthy, Bill Johnston, Darren Ryan and Brian Fitzgerald were Garryowen’s other try scorers. Neil Cronin kicked five conversions and a penalty.

Holders Cork Constitution lost away to Clontarf 43-12 and slipped to third place. Con’ led 12-5 at the interval with tries from Alex McHenry and Dylan Murphy with Tomas Quinlan kicking one conversion. This result was not enough to earn Clontarf a place in the play-offs.

UCD defeated Young Munster 31-29 in a dead rubber game. Young Munster led 19-7 at half time. Conor Hayes scored two tries for the Limerick side and Craig O’Hanlon and Evan O’Gorman got one each. Shane Airey kicked three conversions and a penalty.

The Division 1A Play-offs are Lansdowne v Garryowen, Terenure College v Cork Constitution. Games to be played 28th April.

Shannon defeated U.C.C. 40-17 to claim the Division 1B title and Promotion to Division 1A on the back pitch in Thomond Park. The home side got an early scare as they trailed U.C.C. 14-6 after twenty minutes but were level 14-14 at half-time.

Fionn McGibney, Ger O’Shea, Keith Kavanagh, Tai Chan and Aaron Hehir scored tries for Shannon and Conor Fitzgerald kicked three conversions and three penalties.

Travis Coomey and Cian Fitzgerald replied with tries for the students and James Taylor converted both and added one penalty.

U.L. Bohemian’s 32-30 away defeat at Banbridge sees them in the relegation play-off on point’s difference with Old Wesley having a better scoring difference.

Joe Bennett, Matt McDonald, Ian Condell, and Adrian Enright scored tries for Bohes and Robbie Bourke kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Relegated Dolphin lost 33-17 away to Naas. The sides were tied 10-10 at half time but yet again Dolphin faded after the break. Will Hanly and Caolan O’Flynn scored tries for Dolphin and Barry Keeshan converted both and added one penalty.

The Division 1B promotion play-offs are St. Mary’s College v U.C.C., Banbridge v Ballynahinch. Games to be played Saturday 21st April.

Malone were crowned Division 2A champions after a 43-19 home win over Nenagh Ormond. Nicky Irwin, John Coffey and Jamie McGarry scored tries for the Tipperary side and Clayton Stewart kicked two conversions.

Highfield were defeated 25-14 by relegation threatened Blackrock College at Stradbrook. Dave O’Hea and Ian McCarthy scored tries for Highfield and Paddy O’Toole converted both.

Galwegians avoided the relegation play-off after their 50-15 home win over Cashel. Richard Moran, Tommy Angling and Niall Fitzpatrick scored tries for Cashel
However Cashel missed out on the promotion play-offs by four points as Nenagh Ormond finished above them.

The Division 2A Promotion play-offs are U.L. Bohemian v Nenagh Ormond and Highfield v City of Armagh. Ties to be played Saturday 21st April.

Division 2A champions Old Crescent completed the season undefeated after they beat Rainey Old Boys.28-8 at Rosbrien. Kevin Doyle, Val McDermott, Brendan Guilfoyle and Jeffrey Coyne were Crescent’s try scorers and Ronan McKenna converted all four tries.

Two late tries by Sunday’s Well saw them snatch a 22-22 draw at home to MU Barnhall. Peter Arigho, Ryan Buckley and Cyprian Jouve scored tries for the ‘Well.

Michael Boland kicked a penalty and conversion but missed the side line conversion to win the game. Eoin Geary converted the opening try.

The Division 2B play-offs are Greystones v Navan, Rainey Old Boys v MU Barnhall. Games to be played Saturday 21st April.

Sligo defeated Thomond 37-0 in their top of the table clash to see which of these sides would be automatically promoted from Division 2C. As a result of this Thomond slipped to third place and will be away in the play-offs.

Midleton’s outside hopes of a promotion play-off place were dashed at Seapoint as they lost 16-10. Ron Smyth scored Midleton’s try and Stuart Lee kicked a conversion and penalty.

Bruff lost away to Omagh 19-14. Conor Fitzpatrick and Jack O’Grady scored tries for Bruff and David O’Grady converted both.

This result leaves Bruff second last in the table and they will face the Provincial League Runners up in a Play-off at Kilballyowen Park on Saturday 5th May.

The Division 2C promotion play offs are Belfast Harlequins v Malahide and Omagh will be at home to Thomond on Saturday 21st April.

RESULTS:
All Ireland League Division 1A: Clontarf 43, Cork Constitution 12;
Garryowen 48, St. Mary’s College 26;
Lansdowne 26, Buccaneers 17;
Terenure College 50, Dublin University 12;
UCD 31, Young Munster 29;
Division 1B: Ballymena 22, Old Wesley 21;
Ballynahinch 13, Old Belvedere 16;
Banbridge 32, U.L. Bohemian 30;
Naas 33, Dolphin 17;
Shannon 40, U.C.C. 17;
Division 2A: Blackrock College 25, Highfield 14;
Galwegians 50, Cashel 15;
Greystones 14, City of Armagh 24;
Malone 43, Nenagh Ormond 19;
Queens University 38, Galway Corinthians 28;
Division 2B: City of Derry 20, Wanderers 39;
Navan 15, Belfast Harlequins 20;
Old Crescent 28, Rainey Old Boys 8;
Skerries 32, Dungannon 17;
Sunday’s Well 22, MU Barnhall 22;
Division 2C: Bective Rangers 22, Malahide 22;
Omagh 19, Bruff 14;
Seapoint 16, Midleton 10
Sligo 37, Thomond 0;
Tullamore 42, Bangor 12;