Senior Rugby Round-up

Despite a 35-7 bonus point victory away to Cork Constitution on the final day, U.L. Bohemian have been relegated to Division 1B. While Shannon will face Division 1B runner’s up, UCD in a promotion/relegation play off.

Johnny Holland missed a chance to give Cork Constitution an early lead when his second minute penalty attempt was off target. Boh’s showed their intent from the start and Ben Martin kicked the visitors in front in the nineteenth minute with a well executed penalty just inside the ten metre line. A further penalty from a closer range in the twenty-sixth minute saw Martin extend the lead to 6-0.

The out-half was on the scoreboard again five minutes later, when he skipped past the Cork Con defence from the twenty-two, to touch down behind the posts. Having converted his own try, the visitors lead 13-0. Despite a spell of pressure in the closing stages of the half, Con failed to register any points, even when awarded a penalty inside the ten metre line in the final minutes. Holland’s attempt fell wide of the posts and they tralied 13-0 at the break.

Martin opened the scoring in the third minute with a penalty from the twenty-two to increase their lead to 15-0. They kept the pressure on Con and from a line-out on the twenty-two three minutes later, Boh’s drove over the line, with Conor Kindregan crossing for his first of the half. With the conversion courtesy of Martin, they led 23-0.

Kindregan was in again in the twenty-fifth minute after which Martin missed his only kick of the day. But the visitors still held a commanding 28-0 lead and the majority of possession with fifteen to go. Boh’s centre, Mossy Lawler added the fourth try of the game to secure the bonus point win. Two more points from the boot of Martin and it seemed like the Leesider’s had no response, but a late rally from the home side saw replacement, Andy O’ Driscoll crash over the line for a late try. A conversion by Holland in the last play of the game brought the final score to 35-7.

Cork Constitution are still in contention for silverware this season. They face St. Mary’s College in the final of the Bateman Cup next weekend.

Cork Constitution: Darragh Lyons, Robert Clune, Niall O’ Driscoll, Alex Ryan, Cronan Healy, Johnny Holland, Gerry Hurley (Capt), Brian Cagney, Andrew Cudmore, Chris Corkery, Brian Hayes, Dave O’ Brien, Graeme Lawlor, James Ryan, Cathal O’ Flaherty Replacements: John Rochford, Andy O’ Driscoll, Andrew White, Pat Parfrey, Conor Desmond.

U.L. Bohemian: Dave Johnson, Rory White, Mossy Lawler, Niall Kenneally, Finbarr Aherne, Ben Martin, Tim Rafferty, Kevin Flanagan, Sean Henry, Gary Flanagan, Ed Kelly (Capt), Darragh Frawley, Conor Kindregan, Jack O’ Donoghue, Sean Rennisson Replacements: Aidan Ryan, Ed Rossiter, Mark Abrahams, Keith McManus, Darren Moroney.

Scorers: Cork Constitution: Tries: Andy O’ Driscoll; Con: Johnny Holland; U.L. Bohemian: Tries: Ben Martin, Conor Kindregan (2), Mossy Lawler; Cons: Ben Martin (3); Pens: Ben Martin (3)

Shannon's pride saw them survive relegation for the time being at any rate, as they had a deserved 38-19 win against already crowned champions, Lansdowne, at Coonagh. They now face a play off with UCD, in one final attempt to preserve their top- flight status.

They got off to a worrying start when Tom Kiersey glided in for a Lansdowne try but they showed their battling qualities when Eric Moloney crossed for a try to make it 5-5. Shane McNamara scored Shannon's second try for a lead they never relinquished and Richie Mullane got a third, converted by Tadhg Bennett to make it 17-5.

Tadhg Beirne kept the game very much alive with a second Lansdowne try, which Tom Daly converted. A penalty by Bennett pushed Shannon to 20 but just on half-time, Ross McCarron had a Lansdowne try which Mark Roche converted and it was 20-19 for the home side at the break.

Whatever was said to the Shannon players during the interval certainly paid dividends as they totally dominated the second-half.

Moloney had his second try of the game, which crucially earned a bonus point and Bennett put over two more penalties.

To put the icing on the cake for Shannon, Shane McNamara got a second try, which Bennett converted to spark a rousing rendition of club anthem “There Is An Isle”.

Scorers: Shannon: Tries: Eric Moloney (2), Shane McNamara (2), Richie Mullane; Cons: Tadhg Bennett (2); Pens: Tadhg Bennett (3); Lansdowne: Tom Kiersey, Tadhg Beirne, Ross McCarron; Cons: Tom Daly, Mark Roche

Runner’s Up, Garryowen finished as Limerick's most successful club in the top division when finishing with a 17-11 win over Clontarf at Dooradoyle.

James McInerney put the Limerick side in front with an early try, which Andrew O' Byrne converted. Richie Lane had a 'Tarf penalty after twenty-six minutes and he had a try five minutes into the second half to edge his side in front. A penalty by O' Byrne and a try by Dave Sherry, converted by O' Byrne, had Garryowen 17-8 in front, but Lane kicked a late penalty to keep interest alive against a fourteen man home side, with Shane Buckley being yellow carded.

Scorers: Garryowen: James McInerney, David Sherry; Cons: Andrew O'Byrne (2); Pen: Andrew O’ Byrne; Clontarf: Try: Richie Lane; Pens: Richie Lane (2)

Having defeated local rivals Shannon last weekend, Young Munster went down 44-24 to St. Mary’s College at Templeville Road. The Limerick side trailed 29-7 at the break after Darragh O’ Neill scored a first half try which was converted by Derry O’ Connor. A second try from O’ Neill and one from Craig O’ Hanlon, with two conversions and a penalty from O’ Connor, saw the visitors claw their way back to reduce St. Mary’s lead to 29-24 before Mary’s finished out their league campaign with the bonus point win. A victory which will have boosted their confidence ahead of their Bateman Cup final meeting with Cork Constitution next weekend.

Scorers: St. Mary’s College: Tries: Conor Hogan, Arthur Lyons, Robbie Hudson (2), Steve Toal-Lennon, Kevin Sheahan; Cobs: Gavin Dunne (4); Pens: Gavin Dunne (2); Young Munster: Tries: Darragh O’ Neill (2), Craig O’ Hanlon; Cons: Derry O’ Connor (3); Pen: Derry O’ Connor

While Dolphin finished the season in fifth spot, four points behind their nearest rivals Cork Constitution, having suffered a 40-26 defeat away to Old Belvedere at Anglesea Road today. They trailed 21-7 at the break despite taking an early lead with a Niall Scannell try, converted by Barry Keeshan.

Second-half tries from James Kiernan, Chris Rowe and Rory Scannell with two converted by Keeshan were not enough as Old Belvedere backed up their big win over league champions, Lansdowne last weekend with another bonus point victory.

Scoreres: Old Belvedere: Tries: Jonathan Slattery, John Kennedy, Josh Eden-Whaitiri, Steve Crosbie (2), Killian O’ Neill; Cons: Josh Glynn (5); Dolphin: Tries: Niall Scannell, James Kiernan, Chris Rowe, Rory Scanell; Cons: Barry Keeshan (3)

In Division 1B, Dungannon routed a hapless Bruff at Kilballyowen and led 48-0 before the home side got on the score sheet.

Chris Cochrane led the try fest for Dungannon when he crossed three times and Chris Corcoran had two in a game that Bruff will quickly want to forget when they ply their trade in Div 2A next season after Dungannon emerged eventual 74-12 victors.

Scorers: Bruff: Tries: Barry Enright, Paddy Clery; Con: Brian Carroll; Dungannon: Tries: Chris Cochrane (3), Chris Corcoran (2), Stuart McCloskey (2), Sean Doyle (2), David Egnar (2), Rowan Halsall, Jaryd Bennett; Cons: Stuart McCloskey (7)

Ulster Bank League Division 1A:

Cork Constitution 7 U.L. Bohemian 35
Garryowen 17 Clontarf 11
Old Belvedere 40 Dolphin 26
Shannon 38 Lansdowne 19
St. Mary's College 44 Young Munster 24

Division 1B:

Ballynahinch 41 Buccaneers 8
Ballymena 10 U.C.D. 40
Bruff 12 Dungannon 74
Malone 19 Blackrock College 8

Division 2A Play Off:

Greystones 23 Naas 44

Division 2B Play Off:

Clonakilty 23 Richmond 26