Friday Night All Ireland League

There were three Friday night Munster derbies played with exciting finishes in two of them.

At the Mardyke U.C.C. came very close to upsetting the early leaders Cork Constitution before going down 20-18.

The visitors dominated the opening half and went into the lead with a try from Vince O’Brien after eight minutes. James Taylor and Aidan Moynihan exchanged penalties before a try from Jason Higgins made it 15-3 on the stroke of half time.

A Taylor penalty and tries from Murray Linn and Michael Clune the latter converted by Taylor had the students 18-15 ahead twelve minutes into the second half. JJ O’Neill secured the points for Con’ with a try four minutes from time.

At Thomond Park newly promoted Shannon picked up their first points of the campaign with a 23-10 win over Young Munster to move off the foot of the table.

Nathan Randles opened the scoring with a try for Shannon but a try and a conversion by Clayton Stewart put Munsters in front 7-5. Steward extended his side’s advantage with a penalty but a try from Will Leonard and a Jake Flannery penalty gave Shannon a 12-10 interval lead.

Two penalties from Flannery and a try by Jamie McGarry earned Shannon the spoils.

Nenagh Ormond picked up the point at the 4G UL Arena after their narrow 13-12 away win over U.L. Bohemian. A try from James McCarthy converted by Robbie Bourke had UL Bohemian 7-3 ahead at half time. Alex Ropeti kicked a penalty for the Tipperary side.

A try by Nick Daly and a conversion and a penalty by Ropeti put Nenagh 13-7 in front. A late try from Brian Walsh three minutes from time was not enough for the home side to save the game.

RESULTS:

All Ireland League Division 1A: Shannon 23, Young Munster 10;

U.C.C. 18, Cork Constitution 20;

Division 2A: U.L. Bohemian 12, Nenagh Ormond 13;