Saturday Senior Rugby Roundup

Young Munster took another big step towards a play off place in Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League as both Garryowen and Cork Constitution lost valuable ground.

Young Munster had to work very hard to beat bottom side Ballynahinch 7-6 at Clifford Park where, despite the strong wind, conditions were much better than for last week's game.

The visitors had the benefit of the strong wind in the first half and penalties by Chris Quinn after four and twenty three minutes had them in front.

Nine minutes into the second half following a series of close-in scrums Young Munster were awarded a penalty try which Gearoid Lyons converted.

Clontarf took a firm grip on second place with an 18-13 win over Cork Constitution at Temple Hill. The visitors led 13-3 at half time and Darragh Lyons kicked four penalties for Constitution.

Galwegians caused a big shock with a 30-17 bonus point win over fourth placed Garryowen at Crowley Park. The home side led 22-10 at half time with Andrew O’Byrne scoring a try for Garryowen and Neil Cronin kicking a conversion and a penalty. A try by JP Cooney converted by Cronin closed the gap to 22-17 but Galwegians finished the stronger to take the spoils.

A last minute try from Kevin Allen superbly converted by Barry Keeshan saw Dolphin snatch a dramatic 23-22 win over bottom side Belfast Harlequins at Irish Independent Park to ease their relegation worries in Division 1B.
A try from Shane McAuliffe's saw Dolphin lead 5-3 at half time.

A penalty from Keeshan and a Ken O'Halloran try extended their lead to 13-3 clear within 10 minutes of the second half.

But 'Quins hit back to lead 22-13. Cian McGovern landed a penalty from halfway to get Dolphin back into the game and then came the dramatic finish.

Nenagh Ormond defeated Division 2A leaders Banbridge 14-7 to move into fourth place. Eathon Moloney and Johnny Hayes scored tries for the Tipperary side and Michael Walsh converted both.

U.C.C. kept their promotion challenge on track with a 16-13 away win over fourth placed Malone. Kevin O’Keeffe scored a try, conversion and two penalties for the students and Tim Clifford added a drop goal.

Cashel lost ground for a playoff place as second placed Naas defeated them 16-6. Pat O’Connor kicked two penalties for Cashel.

Thomond lost 12-3 at home in their bottom of the table clash with Corinthians.

Highfield remain in third place in Division 2B after a 22-8 away win over Dungannon. Two tries from John McLoughlin and one by Dave Kelly and a penalty and two conversions from Dylan Horgan were Highfield’s scorers.

Old Crescent extended their lead at the top of Division 2C with a 21-9 away win over Boyne. Stephen O’Carroll, Brian Tuohy and Cathal O’Reilly all scored tries for the Limerick side and Shane O’Brien converted all three.

Bruff kept their promotion hopes on track with a 24-12 bonus point win away to injury hit Kanturk. Declan Bannon, Sean Darcy, Michael Carroll and Barry Enright scored tries for Bruff and Bannon kicked two conversions. Daithi Fitzpatrick and Olan Daly were Kanturk’s try scorers and Paul O’Keeffe kicked a conversion.

Midleton had a 29-5 bonus point win over struggling Sligo at the Towns Park. Darren O’Keeffe, Kevin Brierly, Rob Smyth and Stuart Lee scored tries for Midleton and Lee converted all three and also added a penalty.

RESULTS:
Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Cork Constitution 12, Clontarf 18;
Galwegians 30, Garryowen 17;
Lansdowne 15, Old Belvedere 26;
Terenure College 13, UCD 0;
Young Munster 7, Ballynahinch 6;

Division 1B: Blackrock College 18, Ballymena 16;
Dolphin 23, Belfast Harlequins 22;
Dublin University 43, Old Wesley 17;
Shannon 22, UL Bohemian 25;
St. Mary's College 19, Buccaneers 16;

Division 2A: Malone 13, U.C.C. 16;
Naas 16, Cashel 6;
Nenagh Ormond 14, Banbridge 7;
Skerries 29, Queens University 12;
Thomond 3, Corinthians 12;

Division 2B: Bective Rangers 8, MU Barnhall 24;
City of Armagh 19, City of Derry 16;
Dungannon 8, Highfield 22;
Seapoint 15, Greystones 29;

Division 2C: Boyne 9, Old Crescent 21;
Dundalk 29, Wanderers 32;
Kanturk 12, Bruff 24;
Midleton 28, Sligo 5;
Navan 8, Tullamore 8;