Senior Rugby Round-Up

The battle at the bottom of Division 1 A is hotting up following Shannon’s emphatic 45-26 victory over Cork Constitution today.

The home side gave notice that relegation is far from their minds as they turned on the style when producing their best display of this season at Coonagh.

They ran in six tries and led 14-0 after fifteen minutes with tries from James Loxton and Munster’s Niall Ronan, both converted by Rob Guerin, who also added the points to tries from David O' Donovan, John Shine and a brace from Eric Moloney with Tadhg Bennett kicking a penalty.

Shannon held a 24-14 lead at the interval and Cronan Healy had a try in each half for Cork Con, whose other tries were scored by Niall O' Driscoll and James Ryan with three being converted by Gerry Hurley.

The bonus point win moves the Limerick club off the bottom of the table up two places above Old Belvedere and U.L. Bohemian following their respective defeats to Clontarf and Dolphin this weekend.

Scorers: Shannon: Tries: Eric Moloney 2, James Loxton, Niall Ronan, David O'Donovan, John Shine; Cons: Rob Guerin 6; Pen: Tadhg Bennett; Cork Constitution: Tries: Cronan Healy 2, Niall O' Driscoll, James Ryan; Cons: Gerry Hurley 3

A second consecutive loss for U.L. Bohemian sees them propping up the table following their 27-9 defeat to Dolphin at Musgrave Park today.

Barry Keeshan kicked the first points of the afternoon with a penalty in the opening minute and Ben Martin missed the chance to level things moments later when his penalty attmept was off target. A further three points from Barry Keeshan saw Dolphin extend their lead to 6-0 on the twenty minute mark.

A Dolphin line-out in the visitors twenty-two saw a great drive from the pack and the ball was spread out to the backs. A clever chip by Cian Bohane saw Danny Barnes and John Gleeson give chase with Glesson recovering the ball to touch down over the line.

A Barry Keeshan penalty in the thirty-second minute increased their lead to 14-0. Munster’s JJ Hanrahan replied with a well kicked penalty one minute later to reduce the gap to 14-3.

However, just before the break, fellow Munster player Danny Barnes made a surging run through the Bohs defence and some quick hands from the Dolphin back line saw the ball passed back inside to Munster Academy player James Cronin to finish it off. Keeshan converted to give the home side a 21-3 lead heading into the second half.

Two penalties from the boot of full-back Ben Martin in the opening minutes of the half and the visitors looked like they might come back into the game but they struggled to break down a strong home defence. Keeshan missed a penalty attempt in the fifty-third minute but landed a well kicked drop goal moments later to increase their lead to 24-9.

Dolphin were reduced to fourteen men when try scorer, John Gleeson was shown yellow for not rolling away. Boh’s were now attacking deep inside the Dolphin twenty-two and were unlucky when Ian Condell was stopped just short of the try line by Munster’s Christy Condon who was also shown a yellow card in injury time. Keeshan landed a further penalty before the whistle to bring the final score to 27-9. The victory keeps them in seventh place with a game in hand at home to Young Munster which takes place next Sunday.

Dolphin: Eamon Mills, James Kiernan, Danny Barnes, Cian Bohane, John Gleeson, Barry Keeshan, Chris Bannon, James Cronin, Niall Scannell (Capt), Christy Condon, Dave O’ Mahony, Darren O’ Shea, Rob O’ Herlihy, Miah Cronin, Brian O’ Callaghan Replacements: Will Foley, John Leahy, John Cleary, Brian Slater, Harry Fleming.

U.L. Bohemian: Ben Martin, Martin McPhail, Mossie Lawler, Mark Abraham, Rory Whyte, JJ Hanrahan, Tim Rafferty, Tom Burke, John Sutton, Kevin Flanagan, Ed Kelly, Darragh Frawley, Conor Kindregen, Ian Condell, Sean Rennison, Replacements: Alex Simpson, Darren Coady, Brain Walsh, Jack O’ Donoghue, Adrian Enright.

Scorers: Dolphin: Tries: John Gleeson, James Cronin; Con: Barry Keeshan; Pens: Barry Keeshan 4; Drop Goal: Barry Keeshan U.L. Bohemian: Pens: JJ Hanrahan, Ben Martin 2

Young Munster travelled to Lansdowne in the hope of closing the gap on the league leaders, but found themselves trailing 22-3 at the break. Second half tries from Darragh O’ Neill and Hugh McGrath which were both converted by player-coach Mike Prendergast and a penalty from Shane O’ Leary were not enough as the title hopefuls emereged 37-17 victors. The valuable bonus point sees the table toppers extend their lead to fourteen points at the summit.

Scorers: Lansdowne: Tries: Ron Boucher, Craig Ronaldson, Cian Aherne 2, Foster Horan; Cons: Craig Ronaldson 3; Pens: Craig Ronaldson 2 Young Munster: Tries: Darragh O’ Neill, Hugh McGrath; Cons: Mike Prendergast 2; Pen: Shane O’ Leary

Following their decisive 38-3 victory over local rivals U.L. Bohemian last week, Garryowen suffered a 25-15 defeat away to St. Mary’s College at Templeville Road.

The Leinster side who are now unbeaten in four games proved too strong for the visitors whose only points came from the boot of Matt Jervis. Garryowen now drop to third spot, five points behind Clontarf after they claimed a 41-13 victory away to Old Belvedere at Anglesea Road on Friday night.

In Division 1B Bruff are still in relegation trouble after a heavy 59-7 home defeat by leaders Ballynahinch. Brian Cahill scored a try and conversion for the home side.

U.C.C. maintained their challenge for promotion from Division 2A with a 56-17 home win over fourth place Banbridge at the Mardyke. Sean Og Murphy scored a try and kicked five conversions and two penalties, Darren Sweetnam and Olan Dennehy each scored two tries and Luke Duffy, Peter McCabe and Mark O’Mahony also scored tries for the students.

Cashel won the Munster derby tie with a 27-3 home win over Highfield. Dave McCormack and Giles Boland scored tries for Cashel and Pat O’Connor converted both and also kicked four penalties. Paddy O’Toole replied with a penalty for Highfield.

Old Crescent lost at home to promotion chasing Galway Corinthians 48-20. Kevin Meade, Brendan Guilfoyle and Ronan O’Sullivan scored tries for the Limerick side and Aidan McNulty kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Midleton are still I relegation trouble after they lost at home to leaders Terenure 52-14. A second half try from Kevin Brierly and a penalty try in injury time both converted by Jeff Hitchmough was Midleton’s reward.
Midleton: J Hitchmough; G Hogan, D Smyth, G Colbert, J Ryan; J Holland, P Daly; K Brierly, D Lee, G Sweeney; R Lehane, A McCarthy; JP O’Connor, J Silke, L Cahill. Replacements: M Sinclair, B Gill, D O’Sullivan, S Hennessey, M Kelleher. Terenure College: A O’Loughlin; C Kelly, C Gildea, J Jackman, H Moore; W Staunton, M O’Neill; G Hamilton, R Smyth, K Dooley; K McCoy, B Moroney; R Duke, J O’Neill, A Dunlop. . Replacements: C O’Sullivan, C Moffatt, K O’Dwyer, J Bollard, T Small

Nenagh Ormond’s hopes of promotion received a setback when they lost 23-22 away to Naas. Sam Nash scored two tries for the Tipperary side and Leo Viapula one. Rory Whelan kicked two conversions and Donal Fogarty added a penalty.Nenagh Ormond’s hopes of promotionfrom Division 2B received a setback when they lost 23-22 away to Naas. Sam Nash scored two tries for the Tipperary side and Leo Viapula one. Rory Whelan kicked two conversions and Donal Fogarty added a penalty.

At the other end of the table all three Munster sides lost. Sunday’s Well staged a second half comeback away to Instonians after trailing 12-0 at half time to lose 17-11. Ben Alary scored a try for the ‘Well and Shane O’Riordan kicked two penalties.

Thomond lost at home to City of Armagh 20-12. Eugene Payne and Warren Kelly scored tries for Thomond and Dermot Fitzgerald kicked a conversion.

Trailing 10-6 with twenty minutes to go at Holmpatrick Clonakilty were dominating the game against Skerries but failed to convert all their possession into scores. Trailing 7-0 at half time two penalties from Ciaran Callanan kept Clon’ in the game but the home side ran in four converted tries to secure the points for a 38-6 victory.
Skerries: D Hewitt; M Sherlock, M Hewitt, R Dempsey, K McGrath; C Keane, E Dempsey; M Nally, C Tonge, E Harford; M Provizcors, J Glennon (c); K O’Connell, R Connolly, R McAuley. Replacements: R McCorry, T O’Hara, R O’Mahony, P Devitt, E Branagan.
Clonakilty: J Deasy; K Howlin, A Long, D Lombard, K O’Donovan; J Lee, M Purcell; D O’Neill, B Duggan, A Foley; T Keogh, M Keohane; C Canning, T Illston, A Harte. Replacements: C Callanan, S White, S Cotter, G Shannon, L O’Shea.

Ulster Bank League Division 1A:

Dolphin 27 U.L. Bohemian 9
Lansdowne 37 Young Munster 17
Old Belvedere 13 Clontarf 41
Shannon 45 Cork Constitution 26
St. Mary's College 25 Garryowen 15
Old Belvedere 13 Clontarf 41 (Played on Friday)

Division 1B:

Ballymena 17 Blackrock College 32
Bruff 7 Ballynahinch 59
Dublin University 23 Buccaneers 19
Dungannon 15 U.C.D. 84
Malone 26 Belfast Harlequins 22

Division 2A:

Cashel 26 Highfield 3
City of Derry 37 Bective Rangers 10
Midleton 14 Terenure College 52
Old Crescent 20 Corinthians 48
Old Wesley 18 D.L.S.P. 11
Queens University 26 Galwegians 26
Seapoint 30 Greystones 20 (Played on Friday)
U.C.C. 56 Banbridge 17

Division 2B:

Boyne 43 Ards 13
Connemara 17 Suttonians 31
Instonians 17 Sunday's Well 11
Naas 23 Nenagh Ormond 22
Navan 22 Rainey Old Boys 26
Skerries 38 Clonakilty 6
Sligo 13 NUIM Barnhall 17
Thomond 12 City of Armagh 20