Ulster Bank League Roundup

There were first wins of the season for both Cork Constitution and Young Munster away from home as Garryowen maintained their challenge in Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League.

At Castle Avenue leaders Clontarf suffered their first defeat of the season in Division 1A when Cork Constitution defeated them 15-14.
Tomas Quinlan was Con’s hero kicking five penalties, two in the opening half to give the Temple Hill side their first win of the campaign.

After the departure of their Coach Anthony Mathison in mid week, Young Munster produced a battling performance in Ballynahinch to defeat the home side 34-29 to record their first win of the campaign.
The visitors led 22-3 at half time and had tries from Ger Slattery, Sean Duggan, Dan Goggin, Alan Kennedy and Diarmuid McCarthy scored tries for the Limerick side and Paul Downes kicked three conversions and a penalty.

The loss of out half Aidan Moynihan may have cost Galwegians a bonus point at Dooradoyle as he had kicked two penalties before he had to retire as his side lost 18-9 to Garryowen.
Fullback Ciaran Geaney went to out half and he landed a second half penalty but just at the end he had the opportunity to snatch a bonus point but his effort was off the mark.
Garryowen's scrumhalf Neil Cronin got the home side off to a good start with a fourth minute penalty and he tacked on another after eight minutes.
Garryowen managed the first try of the game when they won a line-out and the pack mauled their way over with Shane Buckley credited with the touchdown. Cronin's conversion effort came back off an upright.
A Moynihan penalty after 22 minutes kept 'Wegians in touch.
The visitors got on top in the last ten minutes of the half and Gaffney crossed for a try but it was disallowed for a forward pass after 32 minutes but two minutes later Moynihan kicked his second penalty.
On the hour mark Garryowen took a quick tap penalty from which skipper Josh Hrstich got a try which Cronin converted.
Five minutes earlier former Young Munster player, Ed O'Keeffe, made a superb tackle to prevent Alex Wooton getting a Garryowen try.
Ten minutes from the end Gaffney landed a penalty for the visitors.

In Division 1B, Shannon ended their poor run with a 14-12 win over U.L. Bohemian under the light of Thomond Park on Friday night. James Vaughan and Tadhg Bennett scored tries for Shannon and Shane Airey converted both.
Damian Moroney and Craig Miller replied with tries for Bohes and Robbie Bourke kicked a conversion.

Belfast Harlequins remain bottom of this Division after they lost at home to Dolphin 24-11. Chris Rowe, Dave O’Mahony and Cian Bohane scored tries for Dolphin and Barry Keeshan converted all three and also kicked a penalty.

Cashel are the new leaders in Division 2A after they grinded out a hard earned 15-14 win over an injury hit UCC side at the Mardyke.
A try from Richard Walsh converted by Kevin O’Keeffe gave the students a 7-0 interval lead. Cashel were awarded a penalty try which Tom McHale converted.
College were back in front with a try from Kevin Slater in the corner and O’Keeffe converted.
Cashel finished the stronger and a try by Brendan O’Connor and a drop goal by McHale saw them take the points.

Nenagh Ormond were surprisingly beaten at home by bottom side Corinthians 20-12. Derek Corcoran and Eathon Moloney scored tries for Nenagh and John Healy added a conversion.

Thomond lost away to Malone 31-27.

Highfield maintained their challenge in Division 2B with an 18-11 away win over Greystones. Dave Kelly and James Daly scored tries for Highfield and Paddy O’Toole kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Old Crescent maintained their lead at the top of Division 2C with a 25-16 win over fellow promotion challengers Midleton at the Towns Park. Gareth Quinn McDonogh scored two tries for Crescent and Brendan Guilfoyle got one. Larry Hanly kicked two penalties and Barry Neville added two conversions.
Aidan McCarthy replied with a try for Midleton and Stuart Lee converted and kicked three penalties.

Bruff kept their challenge alive with a 23-12 away win over Boyne. Mark Cosgrove scored two tries for Bruff and Tony Cahill and Sean Darcy got one each. Cahill added a penalty.

Injury hit Kanturk lost at home to Tullamore 44-21. Ronan O’Brien and Luke McCabe scored tries for Kanturk and Mark Healy kicked a conversion and three penalties.

RESULTS:
Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Ballynahinch 29, Young Munster 34;
Clontarf 14, Cork Constitution 15;
Garryowen 18, Galwegians 9;
Old Belvedere 19, Lansdowne 0;
UCD 18, Terenure College 20;

Division 1B: Ballymena 43, Blackrock College 13;
Belfast Harlequins 11, Dolphin 24;
Buccaneers 20, St. Mary's College 24;
Old Wesley 10, Dublin University 13;
UL Bohemian 12, Shannon 14;

Division 2A: Malone 31, Thomond 27;
Naas 33, Queens University 21;
Nenagh Ormond 12, Corinthians 20;
Skerries 32, Banbridge 30;
U.C.C. 14, Cashel 15;

Division 2B: City of Armagh 29, Rainey Old Boys 5;
Dungannon 25, City of Derry 37;
Greystones 11, Highfield 18;
Seapoint 13, Bective Rangers 17;

Division 2C: Boyne 12, Bruff 23;
Dundalk 21, Navan 40;
Kanturk 21, Tullamore 44;
Midleton 16, Old Crescent 25;