Ulster Bank League Roundup

Garryowen denied Old Belvedere their second Ulster Bank League title with a victory at Dooradoyle to allow Clontarf become champions for the first time.

Garryowen bade goodbye to the top grade but did so with pride when denying Old Belvedere the league crown in a gripping Division 1A finale at Dooradoyle after their 23-18 victory.
Garryowen showed by far the greater urgency against a nervous Belvedere who coughed up seven points within the first two minutes after they knocked on from the kick-off. From the scrum Garryowen moved the ball wide and Harry McNulty went in for a try that Andrew O'Byrne converted.
Old Belvedere drew level with a try by Kieran O'Gorman which Josh Glynn converted but three minutes before the interval Anthony Kavanagh crashed over for Garryowen and again O'Byrne converted.
O'Byrne kicked a penalty to make it 17-7 before Glynn kicked a Belvedere penalty.
O'Byrne had another penalty as Garryowen had Ed Rossiter and Aaron McCloskey sin-binned and it was 13 against 14 after Philip O'Dwyer joined them in the bin.
Philip O'Dwyer had a Belvedere try followed by a 77th minute penalty by Glynn and though they pressed very hard in the last three minutes Garryowen deservedly held on.

Dolphin were assured of their status in the top flight following Ballynahinch’s defeat by Clontarf but they put up a credible performance against last year’s champions Lansdowne before going down 18-16 at Musgrave Park. Christy Condon and John Madigan scored tries for Dolphin and Rory Scannell added two penalties.

A last minute try by Conor Desmond earned Cork Constitution a share of the spoils after their 30-30 draw with St. Mary’s at Temple Hill.
The home side led 22-3 at half time with tries from Darragh Lyons, Michael Keyes and Conor Desmond and two conversions and a penalty by Johnny Holland.
Holland kicked a second penalty in the second half as Mary’s hit back with four tries to lead 30-25 until Desmond’s second try squared the match.

Young Munster finished their campaign at Belfield where UCD defeated them 45-24. The students led 17-7 at half time and Sean Rennison, Brian Haugh and Paul Allen scored tries for the Limerick side. Brian Haugh kicked two conversions and Willie Staunton added a conversion and a penalty.

UL Bohemian completed their league program with a 28-26 defeat by Blackrock on the back pitch in Thomond Park, but the result did not prevent Blackrock from being relegated to Division 2A next season.
Blackrock swept into a 21-12 half time lead but were behind 26-21 after 67 minutes in a high scoring affair.
'Rock had tries by David Rowan, Karl O'Riordan, Mark Scott-Lennon and Sam Cooke, three of which Rob Keogh converted with David Godfrey kicking the last minute winning conversion.
Eoin Sweeney, Ed Kelly, Ian Condell and Sam Sterling scored tries for the losers, three of which Shane Airey converted.

Dublin University defeated Shannon 19-17. The visitors led 12-0 at half time and Shannon had tries from James Murphy and David O’Donovan with Rob Guerin converting both and also adding a penalty.

Thomond defeated Highfield 14-10 at Woodleigh Park to clinch promotion to Division 2A next season. Highfield led 10-7 at half time with tries from Kevin Foyle and Aaron Sweeny to a try and conversion by Dermot Fitzgerald. Darragh Payne scored the all important try fifteen minutes from time which Fitzgerald converted.

Kanturk will play in the All Ireland League next season following their 24-13 away win over Instonians at Shaws Bridge after their Division 2B playoff.
Luke McCabe, Dan McCabe and Bryan O’Neill scored tries for Kanturk and Mark Healy converted all three and also added a penalty.

RESULTS:
Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Clontarf 27, Ballynahinch 13;
Cork Constitution 30, St. Mary's College 30;
Dolphin 16, Lansdowne 18;
Garryowen 23, Old Belvedere 18;
U.C.D. 45, Young Munster 24;

Division 1B: Belfast Harlequins 47, Dungannon 19;
Dublin University 19, Shannon 17;
Malone 52, Galway Corinthians 18;
Terenure College 36, Buccaneers 29;
U.L. Bohemian 26, Blackrock College 28;

Division 2A Playoff: Highfield 10, Thomond 14;

Division 2B Playoff: Instonians 13, Kanturk 24;