Saturday Senior Rugby Roundup

Things are very tight at the top of Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League with just a point separating the top four sides with just one round of games remaining.

In the game of the day at Tom Clifford Park a penalty just before half time by Alan Tynan gave Young Munster a 3-0 win over arch rivals Cork Constitution.

Garryowen defeated Old Belvedere 26-19 at Dooradoyle a result that sees the Dublin side relegated to Division 1B next season. Despite losing David Johnston after only a minute through injury, they raced into a 14-0 lead with tries from Steve McMahon and Neil Cronin with the later converting both. Belvedere rallied and went ahead 19-14 with five minutes remaining but tries from Liam Coombes and Alex Wooton with Cronin converting the later to relegate Belvo.

In Division 1B UL Bohemian remain in second spot after their 13-8 away win at Ballynahinch. Harry Fleming scored a try for Bohes and James Lennon converted and added two penalties.

U.C.C. are still in contention for the Division 1A playoffs after their 24-22 win over struggling Galwegians. Kevin O’Keeffe, Charlie O’Regan, Chris McAuliffe and Eddie Earle scored tries for the students and O’Keeffe kicked two conversions.

Shannon are not assured of their place in Division 1B next season after they lost 19-13 on the back pitch at Thomond Park to champions Buccaneers.                                                                                                                        Shannon were awarded a penalty try and Ronan McKenna converted and added two penalties.

In Division 2A Highfield have guaranteed themselves at least a home semi final  in the Division 1B play offs after their 34-28 bonus point win over fourth side Malone at Woodleigh Park.                                                                       Peter Martin, Paddy O’Toole, Ben Murphy, Dave Kelly and Dave O’Hea scored tries for Highfield and O’Toole kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Nenagh Ormond will have to settle for a playoff place after they lost the Tipperary derby 13-10 to Cashel on Friday night at Cashel. A penalty, try and conversion by Ollie McGlinchey gave Cashel a 10-0 lead after twenty minutes. Clayton Stewart opened Nenagh’s account with a penalty early in the second half but a Pat O’Connor drop goal restored Cashel’s ten point lead in the 64^th minute. Nenagh hit back immediately with a Derek Corcoran try which Steward converted. Cashel had to withstand a grand finish from Nenagh but some excellent work by Ed Leamy kept the visitors out.

Sunday’s Well will have to settle for the Division 2A playoffs after 26-21 away defeat at Blackrock College. The home were coasting 26-6 early in the second half but the ‘Well rallied with two late tries from John Moynihan and a conversion and a penalty by Shane O’Riordan to secure a losing bonus point.

Old Crescent have secured their place in the Division 2A playoffs after their 51-33 win over MU Barnhall at Rosbrien in their Division 2B encounter.

The winners scored eight tries, Val McDermott got three, Garth Quinn-McDonogh two and Seaghan Gleeson, S Murphy and Paul McDonogh got one apiece. Shane O’Brien kicked four conversions and Barry Neville added a penalty.

Bottom side Thomond lost 48-12 away to Bective Rangers. Wayne Mulanny and Aaron Rice scored tries for Thomond and Alan Wallace added one conversion.

Bruff won the Division 2C Munster derby at Midleton with a 22-17 victory over the home side. Eric Finn, Liam Barrett, John Cleary and Tom Quinlan scored tries for Bruff and Tony Cahill kicked a conversion.                     Midleton replied with tries from Sean White and Mike Cronin and Stuart Lee converted both and also added a penalty.

Despite trailing 14-0 at half time Kanturk rallied in the second half with a try from Sean Cremin and Conor Cremin kicked a conversion and two penalties as they were unlucky to lose 19-13 at the finish.

RESULTS:

Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Garryowen 26, Old Belvedere 19;

St. Mary’s College 12, Clontarf 31;

Terenure College 36, Lansdowne 17;

U.C.D. 32, Dublin University 19;

Young Munster 3, Cork Constitution 0;

Division 1B: Ballynahinch 8, U.L. Bohemian 13;

Naas 40, Ballymena 15;

Shannon 13, Buccaneers 19;

U.C.C. 24, Galwegians 22;

Division 2A: Banbridge 43, Queen’s University 20;

Belfast Harlequins 10, Galway Corinthians 50;

Blackrock College 26, Sunday’s Well 21;

Cashel 13, Nenagh Ormond 10;

Highfield 34, Malone 28;

Division 2B: Bective Rangers 48, Thomond 12;

City of Derry 13, City of Armagh 48;

Dungannon 40, Skerries 26;

Old Crescent 51, MU Barnhall 33;

Wanderers 29, Greystones 46;

Division 2C: Bangor 13, Navan 41;

Boyne 17, Rainey Old Boys 18;

Midleton 17, Bruff 22;

Seapoint 19, Kanturk 13;

Sligo 30, Tullamore 9;