All Ireland League Roundup

With only one series of games remaining in the All-Ireland League, some issues have been resolved but others will have to wait until next weekend’s final games.

In Division 1A the four sides who will contest  the semi-finals are now known but the pairing for the semi-finals will have to wait until next weekend’s games.

Cork Constitution will contest the play-offs as they came away from Ballynahinch with a maximum point 28-5 victory. Eoin Quilter, Luke Masters, Adam Maher and Jack Kelleher were the Con’ try scorers and James Taylor converted all four.

A late comeback by Garryowen saw them defeat leaders Clontarf 19-18 at Dooradoyle, but it was not enough to preserve their status, as they are now relegated to Division 1B next season. Gordon Wood scored two tries for the Light Blues and Mikey Veale got one, with Dylan Hicks kicking two conversions.

Young Munster ended Terenure College’s hopes of a top four finish with a 20-12 away win at Lakelands Park. Evan O’Connell scored Young Munster’s opening try and Shay McCarthy added two more. Julian Leszczynski kicked a conversion and a penalty.

In Division 1B, Nenagh Ormond ensured a home tie in the Division 1A play-offs with a 21-17 home win over their nearest challengers Blackrock College. Conor McMahon and Angus Blackmore were the Nenagh try scorers and McMahon kicked three penalties and a conversion in what was a very close contest.

U.C.C. kept their hopes of a play-off place alive with a convincing 45-7 away win over a struggling Highfield side. Sean Condon scored three of the College seven tries, with Daniel Squires getting two and Mark Hetherington and Michael Cogan getting one each. Squires kicked five conversions. Dave O’Halloran replied with a try for Highfield which Shane O’Riordan converted.

Shannon are now on the verge of being relegated to Division 2A following their 34-5 away defeat by Old Wesley. Kelvin Brown scored Shannon’s try.

Cashel remain on course for a home tie in the Division1B play-offs, after their 38-8 away win at Banbridge. Alan Flannery (2), Tom Tobin, Josh Pickering, Adam Shirley and Joe Callery were the Cashel try scorers and Ben Twomey kicked four conversions.

Old Crescent maintained their status in Division 2A for next season following their 16-14 home win against Navan. Ronan McKenna kicked two penalties and a drop goal for the Limerick side, who were also awarded a penalty try.

U.L. Bohemian kept their promotion play-off place alive with a 32-10 home win against Skerries in Division 2B. Darragh O’Gorman scored two tries for Bohs and Seamus Lyne, Jordan Mills and Alan Kiely got one each. Oisin Fagan added two conversions and a penalty.

A win against Monkstown next Saturday will ensure automatic promotion from Division 2C for Midleton, following their 39-17 home win against Belfast Harlequins. Steve Monaghan, Harry Jephson, Joannes du Toit, Denis Broderick, Kyle Read and Aaron Leahy scored tries for Midleton, and Jack Colbert kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Dolphin took a major step towards a Division 2B play-off place following their 29-26 away win against Omagh Academicals. Darragh Buckley, Dalton O’Shaughnessy, Scott Sexton and Finn Cowhig were the Dolphin try scorers. Jordan Soli kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Bruff secured their Senior status and a place in Division 2C next season, despite a 20-17 home defeat by Monkstown, as a consequence of results elsewhere going in their favour. Bruff led 14-3 at halftime with tries from Clem McAuliffe and Cillian Rea, both converted by Paul Collins. A penalty by Collins after the break ensured a losing bonus point, which was enough to retain their status.

A last minute try by Dean Slattery, converted by Josef O’Connor earned Clonmel a 21-20 away win at Tullamore and a result that sends the Offaly side closer to automatic relegation to Junior rugby next season. Freddie Davies and Ben Masuku were Clonmel’s other try scorers and O’Connor converted both.

U.L. Bohemian defeated Blackrock College 19-7 in their final game in the Women’s All Ireland League and will now host the same opposition in the semi-finals. Chisom Ugwueru scored three tries for the winners and Kate Flannery added two conversions.

Ballincollig completed their campaign with a 29-20 home win against Galwegians. Brigid Twohig scored two of Ballincollig’s five tries, with Aoibheann McGrath, Fia Whelan and Alisha Flynn being the other try scorers. Emma Connolly added two conversions.

RESULTS-

Energia All Ireland League Division 1A:

Ballynahinch 5,Cork Constitution 28;

Garryowen 19,Clontarf 18;

St. Mary’s College 40,City of Armagh 12;

Terenure College 12,Young Munster 20;

U.C.D. ,Lansdowne 25;

Division 1B:Highfield 7,U.C.C. 45;

Nenagh Ormond 21,Blackrock College 17;

Old Belvedere 36,Dublin University 18;

Old Wesley 34,Shannon 5

Queen’s University 26,Naas 15;

Division 2A:Ballymena 38,Instonians 21;

Banbridge 8,Cashel 38;

Buccaneers 26,M.U. Barnhall 69;

Greystones 23,Galway Corinthians 15;

Old Crescent 16,Navan 14;

Division 2B:Dungannon 22,Sligo 22;

Galwegians 23,Rainey 17;

Malone 47,Malahide 19;

U.L. Bohemian 32,Skerries 10;

Wanderers 42,Clogher Valley 7;

Division 2C:Bruff 17,Monkstown 20;

Enniscorthy 30,Ballyclare 29;

Midleton 39,Belfast Harlequins 17;

Omagh Academicals 26,Dolphin 29;

Tullamore 20,Clonmel 21;

Energia Women’s All Ireland League:Ballincollig 29,Galwegians 20;

Cooke 33,Suttonians 29;

Old Belvedere 5,Railway Union 31;

U.L. Bohemian 19,Blackrock College 7;

Wicklow 66,Tullow 12;