Saturday Senior Rugby Round-Up

Cork Constitution move into third place in Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League, while in Division 2A both Cork sides recorded wins over Tipperary opposition.

Click here for a round-up of Friday's action.

Cork Constitution are back in the race for the Division 1A title after a 30-10 victory against Dublin University at College Park. Three penalties from Tomás Quinlan gave the Temple Hill side a 9-7 half time lead. Tries from Liam O’Connor, Conor Kindregan and Niall Kenneally all converted by Quinlan secured the points for the visitors.

In Division 1B, UL Bohemian remain in second place despite their 13-10 away defeat at Naas. All the visitors’ scores came in the opening half as they led 10-5 at the interval. Finbar Aherne was UL Bohs' try scorer and Rick McKenna kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Shannon remain bottom of the table despite a 24-24 draw against third placed Old Wesley at Coonagh. The visitors led 14-5 at half time with Ronan McKenna scoring Shannon’s try. Second half tries from Ty Chan, Lee Nicholas and Shane Mullally, two of which McKenna converted, earned Shannon three points in their battle against relegation.

Division 2A Leaders Nenagh Ormond travelled to Cork and were surprisingly beaten 23-17 at Irish Independent Park by Sunday’s Well. The visitors got off to a great start with a try from Conor Muldoon which Clayton Stewart converted. It looked like Nenagh would add to their lead such was their possession and despite the ‘Well being down to 14 following a yellow card, Rob O’Keeffe got in for a try and Shane O’Riordan converted to level the scores. Three minutes later the ‘Well went ahead with an O’Riordan penalty, but excellent work by the Nenagh forwards and backs sent winger Ger O’Gorman in for a try on 33 minutes which Stewart converted. O’Riordan kicked a second penalty to leave Nenagh 14-13 ahead at half-time.

The ‘Well were on top in the second half and a drop goal by O’Riordan made it 16-14 after 62 minutes. Peter Arigho extended their advantage with a try and O’Riordan added the extras. Nenagh reduced the margin with a Stewart penalty on 80 minutes and in a pulsating finish Nenagh pounded the ‘Well line and kept the ball in play for ten minutes before they eventually made an error to give the home side the points.

Highfield travelled to Cashel and defeated the home side 13-6. It was 6-6 at half-time with Ollie McGlinchy kicking two penalties for Cashel and Paddy O’Toole replying for the visitors. A try by Fintan O’Sullivan converted by O’Toole maintained Highfield’s fourth spot.

Two late tries from Val McDermott helped Old Crescent to a 29-20 win over Thomond in their Division 2B local derby at Rosbrien which earned them a bonus point victory and also denied the visitors a losing bonus point. Old Crescent led 14-10 at half time with Jack O’Dwyer and Conor Monahan scoring their other tries. Barry Neville kicked three conversions and a penalty. Diarmuid Ryan and Pat McNamara were try scorers for Thomond and Dermot Fitzgerald converted both and also added two penalties.

Midleton came from 7-6 down at half time at the Towns Park to beat Navan 9-7 with three penalties from Stuart Lee to keep their promotion hopes alive in Division 2C.

Bruff moved further away from the relegation zone with a 13-6 away win at Bangor. Brian Cahill scored Bruff’s try and Dave O’Grady converted and kicked two penalties.

Bottom side Kanturk lost away to leaders Rainey Old Boys 26-5 with Daithi Fitzpatrick scoring a first half try for Kanturk.

Results
Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Dublin University 10, Cork Constitution 30;

Division 1B: Ballynahinch 18, Ballymena 28; Naas 13, U.L. Bohemian 10; Shannon 24, Old Wesley 24;

Division 2A: Banbridge 33, Galway Corinthians 10; Belfast Harlequins 15, Queen's University 32; Blackrock College 18, Malone 24; Cashel 6, Highfield 13; Sunday's Well 23, Nenagh Ormond 17;

Division 2B: City of Derry v Dungannon postponed; Greystones 18, City of Armagh 28; Old Crescent 29, Thomond 20; Wanderers 33, Skerries 11;

Division 2C: Bangor 6, Bruff 13; Boyne 22, Tullamore 28; Midleton 9, Navan 7; Rainey Old Boys 26, Kanturk 5; Seapoint 16, Sligo 29;