Senior Rugby Roundup

A mixed day for the Munster clubs in the opening round of games in the Ulster Bank League.

In the game of the day in Division 1A defending champions Cork Constitution defeated Clontarf at Temple Hill in a repeat of last season’s final 30-18.

First half tries from Alex McHenry, Brendan Quinlan and Rob Jermyn, two of which Tomas Quinlan converted along with a penalty had the home side 22-10 ahead at the interval.

Tomas Quinlan added a fourth try and a penalty in the second half to secure maximum points for the holders.

Garryowen came away from Templeville Road with a losing bonus point as they went down to St. Mary’s College 13-7. The visitors led 7-3 at half time with a penalty try.

Three tries in the final quarter by UCD at Tom Clifford Park saw UCD take the spoils with a 39-20 win over Young Munster.

The students led 13-7 at half time with Peter Meyer scoring a try for the home side and Paul Downes converted. Ger Slattery and Mark O’Mara, added second half tries for The Cookies and Downes kicked a penalty.

The big game in Division 1B saw Shannon snatch the points with a late try from Tony Cusack which Conor Fitzgerald converted for a 20-16 win over U.C.C. at the Mardyke.

In a closely fought first half the sides were level 6-6 with James Taylor kicking two penalties for College and Conor Fitzgerald replying with two for Shannon.

Taylor put the students ahead with his third penalty before Shannon regained the lead with a penalty try after fifty two minutes.

A slow build up by College saw Murray Linn score a try for the home side and Taylor converted for a 16-13 lead after sixty three minutes.

Pressure by Shannon in the final ten minutes saw Cusack score the match winning try.

For the other two Munster sides in this Division both suffered home defeats.

Dolphin lost at home to Naas 30-20. The sides were tied 10-10 at half time with Brian Scott scoring Dolphin’s try and Barry Keeshan converting and adding a penalty.

A second try from Scott and another conversion and penalty by Keeshan were not enough to get Dolphin anything from this encounter.

U.L. Bohemian went down to Banbridge 20-13 on the 4G pitch in UL.

The home side led 13-7 at half time with a try from Ed Kelly and a conversion and two penalties by Robbie Bourke.

Banbridge promoted from Division 2A last season snatched victory in the final minute with a converted try.

In Division 2A Highfield made a great start with a 35-19 bonus point victory at Woodleigh Park. The home side led 14-7 and had tries from Dan Healy, Eddie Earles, Luke Kingston, Jack Duffy and Miah Cronin. Kieran Duggan kicked five conversions.

Both Tipperary sides lost at home with Nenagh Ormond surprisingly suffering a 37-7 defeat by Malone. Willie O’Connor scored Nenaghs try and Clayton Stewart converted.

Relegated Galwegians started their campaign with a 26-19 away win at Cashel. Josh Pickering, Philip Ryan and Brian Fitzpatrick scored tries for Cashel and Darragh Lyons added two conversions.

Old Crescent began their Division 2B campaign with a 22-21 away win at Rainey Old Boys. The Maherafelt side saw a conversion come back off the upright with the last kick of the game to deny them victory.

Cathal O’Reilly, Shane Mullally and Sean Monaghan scored tries for Crescent and Ronan McKenna converted two of the tries as well as kicking a penalty.

A last minute penalty from Shane O’Riordan earned Sunday’s Well a losing bonus point as they lost away to M.U. Barnhall 11-6. O’Riordan had given the ‘Well a 3-0 interval lead.

Midleton got their Division 2C campaign off to a winning start with a 20-10 home win over Seapoint. Rian Hogan scored Midleton’s try and Stuart Lee kicked five penalties and a conversion.

Thomond were unlucky to lose at home to Sligo 13-12. Daragh O’Neill and Evan Cusack scored tries for Thomond and Cusack converted his own try.

Results:

Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Buccaneers 10, Lansdowne 19;

Cork Constitution 30, Clontarf 18;

Dublin University 0, Terenure College 24;

St. Mary’s College 13, Garryowen 7;

Young Munster 20, UCD 39;

Division 1B: Dolphin 20, Naas 30;

Old Belvedere 13, Ballynahinch 6;

Old Wesley 18, Ballymena 21;

U.C.C. 16, Shannon 20;

U.L. Bohemian 13, Banbridge 20;

Division 2A: Cashel 19, Galwegians 26;

City of Armagh 30, Greystones 26;

Galway Corinthians 18, Queens University 25;

Highfield 35, Blackrock College 19;

Nenagh Ormond 7, Malone 37;

Division 2B: Belfast Harlequins 17, Navan 26;

Dungannon 27, Skerries 29;

MU Barnhall 11, Sunday’s Well 6;

Rainey Old Boys 21, Old Crescent 22;

Wanderers 71, City of Derry 3;

Division 2C: Bangor 21, Tullamore 15;

Bruff 13, Omagh 14;

Malahide 55, Bective Rangers 7;

Midleton 20, Seapoint 10;

Thomond 12, Sligo 13;