Senior Rugby Roundup

Cork Constitution defeated leaders Lansdowne in Dublin in Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League as the top four positions in both Division 1A and 1B looked like they are decided except in what positions clubs will finish in.

Cork Constitution came from 7-5 down at half time to defeat leaders Lansdowne 25-20 on the back pitch in the Aviva Stadium in Division 1A. Rob Jermyn, Brian Hayes and Ned Hodson scored tries for Con’ and Tomás Quinlan kicked two conversions and two penalties.

A penalty three minutes from time denied Young Munster a share of the spoils at Tom Clifford Park when they suffered a surprise 15-12 defeat by Dublin University. The Dublin students raced into an early 12-0 lead but tries from Daniel Walsh and Elie Munde and a conversion by Aidan Tynan had the sides level early in the second half Bryan Mollen struck with a late penalty for Trinity.

A final thirty minute surge by Clontarf that yielded twenty nine points without reply saw the Dublin visitors defeat Garryowen 39-10 at Dooradoyle. Dave McCarthy scored Garryowen’s try and Neil Cronin added a conversion and a penalty.

In Division 1B UCC ended Buccaneers unbeaten thirteen match run at the Mardyke with a 13-12 victory. Kevin O’Keeffe scored a try, conversion and two penalties for the Students, whose heroic tackling throughout the eighty minutes proved crucial.

UL Bohemian maintained their challenge for a playoff place with an 18-16 home win over Galwegians on the 4G pitch in UL. The home side raced into a 15-0 lead early in the second half with tries from Noel Kinnane and Harry Fleming. Rick McKenna kicked a conversion and Robbie Bourke added a penalty. Galwegians hit back to take the lead 16-15 but a late penalty from substitute James Lennon decided the contest in UL Bohes favour.

Naas maintained their challenge for a top four finish with a 21-14 home win over Shannon. The Kildare side led 21-9 at half time, Ronan McKenna kicking three penalties for Shannon.
The only score of the second half was a Shannon try by Will Leonard that earned them a losing bonus point.

A last minute drop goal by Barry Keeshan earned bottom side Dolphin an 18-16 home win over Ballymena. A Daryl Foley try converted by Keeshan saw Dolphin trail 9-7 at half time. Keeshan kicked a drop goal and Ryan Murphy scored a try in the second half before Keeshan’s second drop goal kept Dolphin’s hopes alive of avoiding automatic relegation alive.

Highfield still remain in second place in Division 2A after their 22-10 home win over Corinthians. David O’Callaghan, Luke Kingston and Paddy O’Toole scored tries for Highfield and O’Toole added two conversions and a penalty.

Nenagh Ormond maintained their challenge with a 23-17 away win over Queen’s University. Peter O’Leary scored a try for Nenagh who were also awarded a penalty try. Clayton Stewart converted two of the tries and added three penalties.

Cashel eased their relegation worries with a 14-5 home win over Sunday’s Well.
In a scoreless first half tries from Kieran Murphy and Ciaran Quirke both converted by Ollie McGlinchey proved crucial. Greg Higgins scored a late try for the ‘Well but Shane O’Riordan’s conversion attempt came back off the post to deny the visitors a losing bonus point.

Old Crescent maintained their challenge for a playoff place in Division 2B with a 39-15 bonus point win against Skerries at Rosbrien. Val McDermott scored two tries for the winners and Darragh O’Brien, Cathal Monahan and Larry Hanly also scored tries. Shane O’Brien kicked two penalties and four conversions.

Thomond who are propping up the table lost away to Dungannon 39-10.

In Division 2C Bruff’s hopes of a playoff place received a setback when they lost 32-5 away to Sligo, Graham Whelan scored Bruff’s try.

Midleton eased their relegation worries with a 30-10 bonus point home win over bottom side Boyne at the Towns Park. Ross O’Mahony scored two tries for Midleton and Daniel Murray and Robert Smyth got one each. Stuart Lee added two conversions and two penalties.

Kanturk lost away to leaders Navan 41-0.

RESULTS:
Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Garryowen 10, Clontarf 39;
Lansdowne 20, Cork Constitution 25;
St. Mary’s College 18, UCD 32;
Terenure College 24, Old Belvedere 20;
Young Munster 12, Dublin University 15;

Division 1B: Ballynahinch 14, Old Wesley 28;
Dolphin 18, Ballymena 16;
Naas 21, Shannon 14;
U.C.C. 13, Buccaneers 12;
U.L. Bohemian 18, Galwegians 16;

Division 2A: Banbridge 51, Malone 15;
Belfast Harlequins 9, Blackrock College 7;
Cashel 14, Sunday’s Well 5;
Highfield 22, Galway Corinthians 10;
Queen’s University 17, Nenagh Ormond 23;

Division 2B: Bective Rangers 13, Wanderers 26;
City of Derry 22, Greystones 57;
Dungannon 39, Thomond 10;
MU Barnhall 18, City of Armagh 22;
Old Crescent 39, Skerries 15;

Division 2C: Bangor 10, Tullamore 22;
Midleton 30, Boyne 10;
Navan 41, Kanturk 0;
Seapoint 23, Rainey Old Boys 11;
Sligo 32, Bruff 5.