Garryowen Keep Hopes Alive Of Top Four Finish

Garryowen took another big step towards a top four finish in Division 1 of the Ulster Bank League with a win at home to Clontarf, while relegation threatened Galwegians surprised Young Munster in Galway.

Garryowen got their new year off to a perfect start when they got the better of Clontarf at Dooradoyle on a 10-3 scoreline.
Neither side could manage a score in a dour first half with the best chance falling to the home side just on the interval but Neil Cronin was unable to convert a penalty.
Garryowen managed the only try of the game when Andrew O'Byrne knifed through to touch down between the posts and Cronin converted.
Clontarf had their only score, a penalty by Robert Keogh, but they conceded a penalty for a high tackle which David Johnson kicked to give the home side the spoils.

Young Munster lost for the first time under Coach David Corkery going down to Galwegians 15-12 at Crowley Park.
The visitors trailed 10-9 at half time with Gearoid Lyons kicking three penalties for Munster’s and David O’Mahony added a drop goal.

Cork Constitution got a much needed win when they defeated Terenure 32-22 at Lakelands Park.
The visitors led 13-3 at half time with a try from James Murphy and a conversion and penalty from Tomas Quinlan and a Darragh Lyons penalty. Quinlan, Luke Cahill and Rob Jermyn added further tries for the Cork side and Quinlan and Lyons each kicked a conversion.

In Division 1B all three Munster sides battling relegation lost.

Dolphin looked like they were cruising to back to back wins over Blackrock College at Stradbrook when they led 13-0 with fifteen minutes remaining, but they self destructed having two players in the sin bin and conceded a penalty try in the final minute to lose 14-13.
A Daryl Foley penalty gave them a 3-0 interval lead. Cian McGovern kicked a drop goal and Foley converted a Will Hanly try.

Shannon battled gamely to earn a losing bonus point in a game that produced six tries at Thomond Park as they lost to Dublin University 25-22.
The Dublin students raced into an early 10-0 lead but a try from Frank Bradshaw-Ryan which Tadgh Bennett converted left three between the sides at half time.
Further tries from Simon Malone and Will Leonard and a conversion and a penalty from Bennett was not enough to stop the visitors recent good run.

A second half try from Kevin O'Byrne converted by Rick McKenna was not enough for U.L. Bohemian who lost 18-7 away to Buccaneers.

In Division 2A Naas defeated Nenagh Ormond 8-3 at the Tipperary venue. Michael Walsh kicked a penalty for the home side.

Highfield moved back into second place in Division 2B with a 28-14 bonus point away win over MU Barnhall. Fintan O’Sullivan scored two tries for the visitors and Paul Stack and Miah Cronin also scored tries. Paddy O’Toole converted all four tries.

In the Cyril Fitzgerald Plate, Cashel had a 23-3 away win over Thomond. Tom McHale, Gavin Ryan, Ryan O’Donnell and Conor Holland all scored tries for the winners and McHale added a penalty. Fionn McGibney replied with a penalty for Thomond.

Results:
Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Galwegians 15, Young Munster 12;
Garryowen 10, Clontarf 3;
Lansdowne 29, Ballynahinch 24;
Old Belvedere 6, UCD 23;
Terenure College 22, Cork Constitution 32;

Division 1B: Ballymena 48, Old Wesley 0;
Blackrock College 14, Dolphin 13;
Buccaneers 18, UL Bohemian 7;
Shannon 22, Dublin University 25;
St. Mary's College 38, Belfast Harlequins 13;

Division 2A: Nenagh Ormond 3, Naas 8;

Division 2B: MU Barnhall 14, Highfield 28;
Seapoint v City of Armagh postponed

Division 2C: Kanturk v Midleton postponed
Sligo 7 , Tullamore 10;

Cyril Fitzgerald Plate: Thomond 3, Cashel 23;