Senior Rugby Round-Up

Young Munster defeated UCD to go joint top in Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League as UL Bohemian extended their advantage at the top of Division 1B.

Young Munster collected maximum points when they defeated UCD 37-31 at Tom Clifford Park to move level on points with leaders Trinity in Division 1A of the All Ireland League.

Two David O’Mahony penalties and a drop goal by Alan Tynan saw the Cookies trail 12-9 at half-time. Tries by Alan Ross, Tynan, Jack Harrington and Alan Kennedy, all converted by O’Mahony, earned the home side a bonus point victory.

Cork Constitution travelled to Anglesea Road and defeated leaders Old Belvedere 20-14. Three penalties from Tomás Quinlan gave the Cork side a 9-0 interval lead. Graeme Lawlor scored a try and Quinlan added a further two penalties.

Garryowen lost at home to Dublin University 27-14, a result that sees Trinity go top of the table on points difference. Niall Horan and Peadar Collins scored tries for Garryowen in the opening half and Neil Cronin converted both.

U.L. Bohemian extended their advantage in Division 1B with a 25-15 home win over Ballymena. It was 17-15 to the Robins at half-time. Andy Rowsome, Brian Walsh, Jamie McNamara and Joe Murray were Bohs' try scorers and Rick McKenna kicked a conversion and a penalty,

UCC moved further away from the danger zone with a 17-9 win over bottom side Shannon at the Mardyke.
The visitors led 9-6 at half-time with Conor Fitzgerald kicking three penalties for Shannon as Kevin O’Keeffe replied with two for the students. O’Keeffe levelled with his third penalty on 55 minutes and a fourth O’Keeffe penalty and a try by Kevin Slater eight minutes from time condemned Shannon to yet another defeat.

Dolphin lost at home to Buccaneers 31-22 with the Athlone side scoring 13 points in a late rally to take the spoils. Dolphin were 15-12 ahead at half-time thanks to tries from Will Hanly and Brian Scott as Barry Keeshan kicked a conversion and a penalty. Ryan Murphy extended Dolphin’s lead with a try which Keeshan converted but they failed to hold out for the win.

Nenagh Ormond lost their unbeaten record in Division 2A when they lost away to Malone 35-31. Eathon Moloney, Bruce Hayes and Ger O’Gorman scored tries for the Tipperary side and Clayton Stewart kicked four penalties and two conversions.

The Cork derby between Highfield and Sunday’s Well ended all square 6-6 under the Woodleigh Park lights on Friday night. Shane O’Riordan put the ‘Well ahead with a penalty after three minutes and Paddy O’Toole levelled nine minutes later. O’Riordan restored the ‘Well’s advantage with a drop goal on 60 minutes and O’Toole tied up the scores with his second penalty with eight minutes remaining. O’Toole did have a chance to win it for the home side but his last minute penalty went just wide of the target.

Cashel won their first game with an 18-0 home win over Blackrock College. Ed Leamy scored two tries for Cashel and Ollie McGlinchey kicked a conversion and two penalties.

There was no joy for both Limerick clubs in Division 2B as both Old Crescent and Thomond lost.
Old Crescent lost at home to Bective Rangers 22-14. The Rosbrien side led 14-5 at half-time after being awarded a penalty try and Kevin Meade also scored a try and Shane O’Brien converted both.

Thomond were defeated 41-0 by MU Barnhall at Parsonstown.
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The big shock of the day was in Division 2C where bottom side Kanturk travelled to second placed Tullamore and defeated the Offaly side 17-15 with a try from Olan Daly and four Conor Cremin penalties.

Midleton’s promotion bid received a setback when they lost 32-23 away to Bangor. Paul Daly and Ross O’Mahony scored tries for Midleton and Stuart Lee converted both and added three penalties.

Bruff are now rooted to the bottom of the table after their 32-22 away defeat at Navan. Mark Cosgrove, Liam Tracey, Sean D’Arcy and Sean Hartigan scored tries for Bruff and Richie McAulliffe kicked one conversion.

RESULTS:
Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Garryowen 14, Dublin University 27;
Lansdowne 33, Clontarf 31;
Old Belvedere 14, Cork Constitution 20;
Terenure College 13, St. Mary's College 17;
Young Munster 37, UCD 3;

Division 1B: Ballynahinch 26, Naas 41;
Dolphin 22, Buccaneers 31;
Old Wesley 35, Galwegians 25;
U.C.C. 17, Shannon 9;
U.L. Bohemian 25, Ballymena 15;

Division 2A: Banbridge 31, Belfast Harlequins 15;
Cashel 18, Blackrock College 0;
Highfield 6, Sunday's Well 6;
Malone 35, Nenagh Ormond 31;
Queen's University 42, Galway Corinthians 16;

Division 2B: City of Derry 24, Wanderers 30;
Dungannon 35, Greystones 19;
MU Barnhall 41, Thomond 0;
Old Crescent 14, Bective Rangers 22;
Skerries 16, City of Armagh 32;

Division 2C: Bangor 32, Midleton 23;
Navan 32, Bruff 22;
Seapoint 15, Boyne 37;
Sligo 19, Rainey Old Boys 18;
Tullamore 15, Kanturk 17;