Senior Rugby Round-Up

Cork Constitution remain on course for top four finish as Young Munster drop into the relegation places in Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League.

Cork Constitution kept their hopes of a top four finish alive with a hard earned 6-3 win over Young Munster at Tom Clifford Park.

After a scoreless first half, Darragh Lyons put Con’ ahead with a penalty two minutes into second half. Gearoid Lyons had the home side level on 63 minutes but substitute out-half Tomás Quinlan kicked the winning penalty for the visitors ten minutes from time.

Dolphin eased their relegation worries with a 13-3 home win over Old Belvedere. A try from Cian McGovern and a conversion and two penalties by Rory Scannell saw Dolphin still remain bottom but just five points behind Young Munster who they face next week in Limerick.

In Division 1B, Garryowen’s promotion hopes of going back to the top flight received a big boost when they defeated Trinity 24-23 at College Park. Tries from James McInerney, Alan Wootton and James Frawley all converted by Jamie Gavin gave the Dooradoyle side an early 21-3 lead. The Dublin students hit back to lead 23-21 but a last minute penalty from Gavin saw Garryowen remain in second place but are now five points clear of their nearest challengers with four games to play.

U.L. Bohemian moved off the foot of the table with a 16-6 home win over fellow strugglers Malone. Mossy Lawler scored a try for Bohs and Robbie Bourke kicked a conversion and three penalties.

Shannon’s recent revival received a setback when they lost 31-13 away to Belfast Harlequins. Liam Cronin scored a try for Shannon and Tadhg Bennett kicked a penalty and two conversions.

In Division 2A, Cashel moved further up the table after they defeated bottom side Dungannon 22-0 at Stevenson Park.

Nenagh Ormond despite drawing at home with high flying Queens University 15-15, are being sucked into the relegation battle.

U.C.C. did their hopes of avoiding the drop with an impressive 27-8 away win over Thomond. Jamie McGarry scored a try for Thomond and Rory Collins added a penalty.

Highfield continued their unbeaten run in Division 2B with a 31-3 away win over Navan. James Daly (2), Paul Stack, Brian O’Hea and Peter Martin were Highfield’s try scorers and Paddy O’Toole kicked three conversions.

Sunday’s Well were surprisingly beaten 17-16 by Richmond in Limerick. The home side raced into an early 14-0 lead, but the ‘Well hit back with a try from Aidan O’Reilly and a conversion and three penalties from Shane O’Riordan to lead 16-14 in the final few minutes. Deep in injury time Wayne Murphy kicked a penalty for Richmond to give them the points and a boost to avoid dropping back into Junior rugby next season.

Two other sides battling for promotion met at Bruff but it was visitors Midleton who came out on top 15-12. Tom O’Dwyer and Dave Horan scored tries for Bruff and David Cruickshank replied with two for Midleton and Paul Daly added a conversion and a penalty.

Kanturk put up a great performance in Greystones before going down 27-22. Sean Cremin, Matt Gandy, Mark Healy and Peter Earlie all scored tries for Kanturk and Paul O’Keeffe kicked one conversion.

RESULTS:
Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Clontarf 16, Terenure College 11;
Dolphin 13, Old Belvedere 3;
St Mary's College 32, Ballynahinch 25;
U.C.D. 38, Lansdowne 31;
Young Munster 3, Cork Constitution 6;

Division 1B: Ballymena 17, Galwegians 25;
Belfast Harlequins 31, Shannon 13;
Corinthians 14, Buccaneers 17;
Dublin University 23, Garryowen 24;
U.L. Bohemian 16, Malone 6;

Division 2A: Banbridge 34, Seapoint 12;
Bective Rangers 13, Blackrock College 47;
Dungannon 0, Cashel 22;
N.U.I.M. Barnhall 10, Old Wesley 40;
Naas 15, City of Derry 16;
Nenagh Ormond 15, Queens University 15;
Rainey Old Boys 18, Skerries 24;
Thomond 8, U.C.C. 27;

Division 2B: Boyne 18, City of Armagh 20;
Bruff 12, Midleton 15;
Greystones 27, Kanturk 22;
Navan 3, Highfield 31;
Old Crescent 17, Ards 5;
Richmond 17, Sunday's Well 16;
Sligo 24, D.L.S.P. 13;
Tullamore 24, Wanderers 13;