Senior Rugby Roundup – Playoff Review

Cork Constitution won the Ulster Bank Bateman Cup for a fifth time as both Garryowen and Dolphin retain their Ulster Bank League Division 1A and 1B status respectively.

Cork Constitution defeated Old Belvedere 18-13 in the Bateman Cup Final at Anglesea Road. The visitors did all the damage in the opening half as they led 18-10 at half time with tries from Liam O’Connell and Brian Hayes. Tomás Quinlan converted both and also added two penalties.

Garryowen defeated U.L. Bohemian in a thrilling contest before a large crowd at Dooradoyle in their Division 1B promotion play off.

Neil Cronin put Garryowen ahead with a penalty after twenty nine minutes but Rick McKenna levelled for the visitors immediately. Steve McMahon replied with a Garryowen try to lead 8-3 at the interval.

Cronin and McKenna exchanged penalties in the opening exchanges of the second half, before a try from David Johnston converted by Cronin extended Garryowen’s lead to 18-6.

UL Bohs never gave up and their only reward was a try from Colin Ryan which McKenna converted five minutes from time.    

Dolphin overcame a gallant Nenagh Ormond side 13-6 at Irish Independent Park to retain their Division 1B status.

Playing into a strong gale in the opening half Dolphin made a perfect start when Daryl Foley got in for a try which Barry Keeshan converted after eight minutes.

Clayton Stewart was off target with penalties on 2 and 19 minutes but landed on one on 22 minutes to leave the Tipperary side trailing 7-3 at half time.

Stewart closed the gap to a point three minutes into the second half but Dolphin’s experience saw them through as Keeshan landed penalties on 62 and 76 minutes.

Old Crescent’s hopes of a second promotion came unstuck at the Palace Grounds, when they lost to City of Armagh 21-10 in the Division 2B Promotion Playoff.

The Limerick side trailed 14-3 at half time with Brendan Guilfoyle scoring Crescent’s try and Shane O’Brien kicked a conversion and a penalty.

In the other playoff games Rainey Old Boys defeated Tullamore 35-23 to win the Division 2C Promotion Playoff and Omagh defeated Boyne 29-9 in the Division 2C Relegation Playoff.

RESULTS:

Ulster Bank Bateman Cup Final: Old Belvedere 13, Cork Constitution 18;

Ulster Bank League Division 1B Promotion Playoff Final: Garryowen 18, UL Bohemian 13;

Division 2A Promotion Playoff Final: Dolphin 13, Nenagh Ormond 6;    

Division 2B Promotion Playoff Final: City of Armagh 21, Old Crescent 10;

Division 2C Promotion Playoff Final: Rainey Old Boys 35, Tullamore 23;          

Division 2C Relegation Playoff: Boyne 9, Omagh 29;