All Ireland League Roundup

The final series of games in this season’s All-Ireland League produced one or two surprising results, as all the play off places have been decided.

Despite their biggest win of the season, Shannon who once dominated this competition, will be playing in Division 2A next season, as results else where meant their hopes of avoiding relegation were doomed.

Midleton who led Division 2C for several weeks were pipped by Enniscorthy for automatic promotion and must now face the playoffs.

In Division 1A, Terenure College whose hopes of a playoff place were dashed last weekend, travelled to Temple Hill and put it up to the hosts Cork Constitution, as the home side ran out 47-45 winners. Matthew Bowen scored two tries for the winners and Dan Hurley, Sean French, Adam Maher, Sean Duffy and George Coomber got one each. James Taylor kicked two conversions and Coomber four.

Young Munster who had nothing to play for, lost at home to U.C.D. 40-10, a result that saw the Dublin students avoid the relegation playoffs. Hubert Gilvarry and Stephen McLoughlin scored tries for Young Munster.

Garryowen who were already relegated, lost their final game away to Lansdowne 26-13. Oisin McCormack scored Garryowen’s try and Dylan Hicks kicked a conversion and two penalties.

In Division 1B, Shannon’s 66-12 home win against Queens University, was not enough to avoid the drop into Division 2A. Kelvin Brown was Shannon’s hero scoring five tries and Luke Doyle got two tries. Cillian Corkery, Cian O’Halloran and Cian McCann were their other try scorers. Jamie Gavin kicked seven conversions and John O’Sullivan one.

Dublin University defeated Nenagh Ormond 20-7, but it was not enough to keep them out of the relegation playoffs. Derek Corcoran scored Nenagh Ormond’s try and Conor McMahon converted.

Highfield pulled off a sensational result away to Naas as they won 43-42 and this result saw them avoid the relegation playoffs and stay in Division 1B next season. Travis Coomey scored three tries for Highfield and Richard Cassidy and Miah Cronin got one each. Highfield were also awarded a penalty try and Shane O’Riordan kicked four conversions and a penalty.

U.C.C. defeated promoted Old Belvedere 38-5 at the Mardyke, and as a result of Old Wesley’s 40-28 defeat to Blackrock College, meant the Cork students qualified for the Division 1A play-offs. Sean Condon and Gene O’Leary Kareem each scored two tries for College, and Michael Cogan and Stephen O’Shaughnessy got one each. Daniel Squires kicked four conversions.

Cashel ensured a home tie in the Division 1B playoffs, following their 69-21 home win against Old Crescent in Division 2A. Alan Flannery scored four of Cashel’s eleven tries. Padraig Leamy, Josh Pickering, Diarmuid Rowe, Richard Moran, Sean O’Connell, Marcel Strydom and Ryan O’Sullivan were the other try scorers. Ben Twomey kicked seven conversions. Daithi Byrnes, Timmy Duggan and Niall Hardiman replied with tries for Old Crescent and Ronan McKenna converted all three tries.

U.L. Bohemian suffered a 12-8 defeat away to Sligo in Division 2B and missed out on the Division 2A playoffs. Darren Ferrar scored Bohs try and Oisin Fagan added a penalty.

In Division 2C, leaders Midleton suffered  26-24 away defeat by Monkstown and were pipped for automatic promotion by Enniscorthy. Kyle Read scored two tries for Midleton and Ritchie Daly and Johannes du Toit got one each. Jack Colbert kicked two conversions.

Dolphin finished their campaign in third place in the table after their 24-15 home win against Bruff. Jordi Soli, Craig O’Connell. Cameron O’Shaughnessy and Dalton Shaughnessy were the Dolphin try scorers with Soli kicking two conversions. Shane Duggan, Fionn Flanagan and Sean Kilbridge replied with tries for Bruff.

Clonmel finished their campaign with a 28-26 home win against Omagh Academicals. Luke Hogan, Diarmuid Devaney, Henry Buttimer and Tom O’Dea scored tries for Clonmel and all were converted by Josef O’Connor.

The Division 1A semi-final lineup is Clontarf v Lansdowne and St. Mary’s College play Cork Constitution.

The Division1A promotion playoff is City of Armagh v U.C.C., and Nenagh Ormond v Blackrock College.

The Division 1B promotion playoff is Dublin University v Greystones, and Cashel v M.U. Barnhall.

The Division 2A promotion playoff is Navan v Galwegians and Dungannon v Clogher Valley.

The Division 2B promotion playoff is Skerries v Ballyclare, and Midleton v Dolphin.

These games are scheduled for the 19^th April.

RESULTS-

Energia All Ireland League Division 1A:City of Armagh 22,Ballynahinch 29;

Clontarf 47,St. Mary’s College 19;

Cork Constitution 47,Terenure College 45;

Lansdowne 26,Garryowen 13;

Young Munster 10,U.C.D. 40;

Division 1B:Blackrock College 40,Old Wesley 28;

Dublin University 20,Nenagh Ormond 7;

Naas 42,Highfield 43;

Shannon 66,Queen’s University 12;

U.C.C. 38,Old Belvedere 5;

Division 2A:Cashel 69,Old Crescent 21;

Galway Corinthians 19,Ballymena 12;

Instonians 92,Buccaneers 21;

M.U. Barnhall 57,Banbridge 22;

Navan 13,Greystones 15;

Division 2B:Clogher Valley 10,Malone 17;

Malahide 15,Dungannon 45;

Rainey 42,Wanderers 29;

Skerries 7,Galwegians 39;

Sligo 12,U.L. Bohemian 8;

Division 2C:Ballyclare 51,Tullamore 27;

Belfast Harlequins 26,Enniscorthy 29;

Clonmel 28,Omagh Academicals 26;

Dolphin 24,Bruff 15;

Monkstown 26,Midleton 24;