Saturday Senior Rugby Roundup

26th March 2017 By Olan Allen

UCC players celebrate securing their status at the final whistle - ©INPHO/Presseye/John McIlwaine

Cork Constitution defeated Garryowen in a thrilling Munster derby tie as Young Munster move ahead of Clontarf with an away win at Castle Avenue.

Cork Constitution defeated Garryowen 26-20 with a dramatic last minute try in added time at Temple Hill. The lead changed hands on eight occasions.

Sam Arnold gave Garryowen an early lead with a try which Neil Cronin converted. Tomás Quinlan kicked a penalty and converted a Conor Kindregan try to put the home side ahead.

A Liam Coombes try left it 12-10 to Garryowen at half time.

Two Quinlan penalties restored Con’s advantage but a Cronin try edged Garryowen ahead 17-16.

Quinlan kicked his fourth penalty before a Cronin penalty on eighty minutes put Garryowen back in front 20-19.

In the sixth minute of added time Max Abbott scored a try for Constitution and Quinlan converted to send Garryowen into second last place in the League while Con’ moved into second spot two points behind leaders Lansdowne.

Young Munster moved up to third place after their 13-11 away win at Clontarf. A try by Craig O’Hanlon converted by Alan Tynan left Clontarf 8-7 ahead at the interval. A penalty and a drop goal by Tynan secured the points for the visitors.

Fourth placed Old Wesley have drawn level on points with UL Bohemian after their 31-27 victory at Donnybrook in Division 1B.

The sides were level 21-21 at half time. Harry Fleming Robbie Bourke and Noel Kinnane scored tries for UL Bohs and James Lennon converted all three and added two penalties.

UCC have secured their status in Division 1B after their 26-24 bonus point win away to Ballymena. Paul Kiernan scored two tries for the Students and Kevin Slater and Charlie O’Regan got one each. Kevin O’Keeffe kicked three conversions.

Shannon took another step to safety after their 30-14 win over Ballynahinch at Thomond Park. The home side were 20-11 ahead at half time with tries from Conor Glynn and Greg O’Shea with Conor Fitzgerald converting both and also adding two penalties.

John Foley scored a second half try for Shannon and Fitzgerald converted and also added a penalty in the second half to secure the points.

Dolphin kept their hopes of avoiding automatic relegation when a last minute try by Cian McGovern converted by Barry Keeshan gave them a 26-23 away win at Galwegians. Gerry Ryan was their other try scorer and Keeshan kicked five penalties and converted Ryan’s try also.

The big Munster derby in Division 2A resulted in Nenagh Ormond defeating Highfield 36-24. Derek Corcoran scored two tries for the winners and Darragh Hassey and Willie Coffey got one each. Clayton Stewart kicked two conversions and four penalties.

Kevin Foyle, Luke Kingston and Derek Houlihan were Highfield’s try scorers and Paddy O’Toole kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Sunday’s Well defeated Belfast Harlequins 32-17, a result that relegates the Ulster side to Division 2B next season. Greg Higgins, John Moynihan, Conor O’Brien, Kieran Stokes and Eoin Geary scored tries for the ‘Well and Shane O’Riordan kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Galway Corinthians are still in relegation trouble despite their 24-13 home win over Cashel. Rory O’Connor scored a try for Cashel and Ollie McGlinchey converted and added two penalties.

Old Crescent lost 19-9 away to Wanderers in Division 2B but still remain in fourth place. Shane O’Brien kicked three penalties for the Limerick side.

Thomond lost at home to City of Derry 27-14, a result that sees Thomond relegated to Division 2C next season. Diarmuid Ryan and Pat Ryan scored tries for Thomond and Alan Wallace converted both.

In Division 2C Bruff’s hopes of making the play offs received a set back after their 26-16 home defeat by Seapoint.

Bruff who led entering the final quarter had a try from Johnny Clery and Tony Cahill kicked a conversion and three penalties.

Midleton lost away to promotion chasing Rainey Old Boys 42-26. Rob Carey and Robert Smyth scored tries for Midleton and Stuart Lee converted both and added four penalties.

Kanturk are still in relegation trouble after their 27-13 defeat at home to promotion chasing Sligo. All the scores came in the opening half as Ronan O’Brien scored two tries and Conor Cremin kicked a penalty.

RESULTS:

Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Clontarf 11, Young Munster 13;

Cork Constitution 26, Garryowen 20;

Dublin University 24, St. Mary’s College 37;

Old Belvedere 15, Lansdowne 15

UCD 3, Terenure College 3;

Division 1B: Ballymena 24, U.C.C. 26;

Buccaneers 30, Naas 23;

Galwegians 23, Dolphin 29;

Old Wesley 21, U.L. Bohemian 27;

Shannon 30, Ballynahinch 14;

Division 2A: Blackrock College 20, Banbridge 25;