Senior Rugby Round-Up

Dramatic late wins for both Cork Constitution and Young Munster in the Ulster Bank League, as Old Crescent caused the shock of the day with a big win over second placed Sligo in Division 2B.

Both Cork Constitution and Young Munster kept alive their hopes of a top four finish in Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League.

Cork Constitution defeated Old Belvedere at Temple Hill 18-17 with an injury time drop goal by Tomás Quinlan.

Con led 15-11 at half time with a try from Michael Keyes and a penalty try. Darragh Lyons kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Con failed to score in the second half as the visitors led entering the last play when Quinlan produced the goods for the home side.

Young Munster had a dramatic 18-17 late win against Clontarf at Clifford Park when they pounced for the winning try deep in added time after one of the home players had to be removed to hospital following an injury early in the second half.

It was in many ways an unfortunate afternoon for the home side who lost Diarmaid Dee through injury in the warm-up.

But they made the best possible start when man of the match, centre Edward O'Keeffe, had a try after only three minutes which Ben Martin converted.

Clontarf got back on terms after eight minutes when Anthony Ryan touched down and David Joyce converted.

Martin nudged Young Munster back in front with a penalty when 'Tarf were punished for not releasing but the visitors regained the initiative when winger Dan Hanratty had a try which Joyce again converted.

Another Martin penalty left only a point between them but when Joyce was on target again it looked to have clinched it for the visitors.

In the last phase of play Young Munster laid siege to the Tarf line and were rewarded when O'Keeffe touched down for his second try of what was a closely contested affair.

Second placed Lansdowne were made work hard for their 13-6 away win over Dolphin at Irish Independent Park. Barry Keeshan had given Dolphin a 6-3 half time lead but a penalty try and the boot of Scott Deasy earned the visitors the points.

The sending off of Alex Wootton on a straight red card proved costly for Garryowen who lost at Dooradoyle 10-6 in a crucial contest against leaders Galwegians in Division 1B.

Jamie Gavin landed a Garryowen penalty and they held on to the lead until the interval.

John Cleary tied it up with a Galwegians penalty and then came the Wooton sending off and 'Wegians gained control and they grabbed the only try of a dour affair when Doran McHugh got over and Cleary converted.

Near the end Gavin kicked his, and Garryowen's second penalty, but it was too late to save the game for the home side.

Shannon moved out of the relegation zone with 12-10 home win over Malone at Coonagh.

Shannon moved into a 9-0 lead inside 35 minutes, with three penalties by Tadhg Bennett and when Malone had a player sent to the sin bin it seemed the home side would capitalise.

However, they conceded a try when winger Nathan Browne crossed and Josh Pentland converted and it let the home side in front 9-7 at the interval.

A penalty by Pentland edged Malone back in front but with nineteen minutes remaining Bennett held his nerve to land a fourth Shannon penalty to earn them the points.

U.L. Bohemian halted their slide down the table with a 14-12 away win over Corinthians. The visitors trailed 7-0 at half time but second half tries by Craig Miller and Shane Airey both of which Airey converted earned UL Bohs a much needed victory.

Nenagh Ormond were the only Munster side in Division 2A to win as they defeated Seapoint 37-3.

Cashel lost away to leaders Old Wesley 33-12 and Blackrock College defeated Thomond 34-3 at Stradbrook.

A penalty by Cillian Monahan was not enough for UCC who lost at home to Queens University 18-3.

Old Crescent caused a big shock in Division 2B at Rosbrien when they defeated Sligo 37-5 to ease their relegation worries.

Larry Hanly scored a try penalty and conversion for Crescent. Their other try scorers were L McMahon, J O’Dwyer, D Tualo and J O’Neill. Shane O’Brien kicked a penalty and a conversion and Gareth Quinn McDonogh added a conversion.

Leaders Highfield defeated Ards 69-0. They scored 10 tries with Miah Cronin and Paul Stack getting two each and Timmy Ryan, Fintan O’Sullivan, John O’Callaghan, Sean Quaid, Marc Murphy and Chris Bannon getting one apiece. Paddy O’Toole kicked four conversions and a penalty, Tim Clifford added three conversions and Martin Gately got one.

A try from Cian Keegan and a conversion and three penalties by Shane O’Riordan earned Sunday’s Well a 16-9 away win at Greystones.

Richmond also won on the road, defeating Navan 17-12. Brian Collins and Mike Kelleher scored tries for the Limerick side and Wayne Murphy kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Kanturk were 13-3 home winners over DLSP. John O’Sullivan was Kanturk’s try scorer and Paul O’Keeffe kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Wanderers defeated Bruff 19-10 at Kilballyowen Park. Paudie Kilcoyne scored a try for Bruff and Declan Bannon added a conversion and a penalty.

Midleton had to settle for a losing bonus point against City of Armagh when they lost 21-17 at the Palace Grounds.

Results:
Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Ballynahinch 14, Terenure College 10;
Cork Constitution 18, Old Belvedere 17;
Dolphin 6, Lansdowne 13;
St Mary's College 17, U.C.D. 25;
Young Munster 18, Clontarf 17;

Division 1B: Belfast Harlequins 13, Dublin University 27;
Buccaneers 8, Ballymena 23;
Corinthians 12, U.L. Bohemian 14;
Garryowen 6, Galwegians 10;
Shannon 12, Malone 10;

Division 2A: Blackrock College 34, Thomond 3;
City of Derry 30, Dungannon 17;
N.U.I.M. Barnhall 16, Naas 14;
Old Wesley 33, Cashel 12;
Rainey Old Boys 16, Bective Rangers 15;
Seapoint 3, Nenagh Ormond 37;
Skerries 19, Banbridge 17;
U.C.C. 3, Queens University 18;

Division 2B: Boyne 13, Tullamore 24;
Bruff 10, Wanderers 19;
City of Armagh 21, Midleton 17;
Greystones 9, Sunday's Well 16;
Highfield 69, Ards 0;
Kanturk 13, D.L.S.P. 3;
Navan 12, Richmond 17;
Old Crescent 37, Sligo 5;