Ulster Bank League Roundup

No change at the top of Division 1A as the top two teams are held to draws and third place St. Mary’s lose at home to Blackrock.

Old Belvedere 16, Dolphin 16.
Dolphin shared the spoils with leaders Old Belvedere at Anglesea Road thanks to an excellent performance by Dolphin skipper Barry Keeshan who scored all his sides points.

In an exciting opening half in which the lead changed hands on several occasions the home side led 13-10. Keeshan scored a try, conversion and penalty for the Cork side.

The home side dominated the second half and will regret the many scoring chances they failed to convert. Keeshan added two further penalties the last coming on the stroke of full time.
Scorers Old Belvedere: D Riordan, E Devitt tries, A Dunne C Keane pen.
Dolphin: B Keeshan try, con, 3 pens.

Cork Constitution 11, Garryowen 11.
A battling performance from Garryowen at Temple Hill as the spoils were shared but had Alan Gaughan converted a penalty in the final minute, the Dooradoyle side could have gone home with all four points but as it is they still have a big battle to avoid the relegation play off.

The home side hit the front with a penalty from Gerry Hurley after four minutes but Gaughan tied the scores with a similar effort six minutes later.

Gaughan edged Garryowen in front with a try on twenty five minutes but Scott Deasy had the home side level with a try five minutes later.

Hurley edged Con’ in front with a second penalty ten minutes from time, but Gaughan levelled shortly after and than came that dramatic penalty that was missed to the delight of the home crowd.
Scorers Cork Constitution: S Deasy try, G Hurley 2 pens.
Garryowen: A Gaughan try, 2 pens.

Young Munster 16, Shannon 3.
Young Munster kept their semi final place alive with a deserved win over neighbours Shannon in front of a large crowd at Clifford Park.

Ray Moloney scored the only try of the game and two penalties and a conversion by Alan Kingsley and a drop goal by Willie Staunton secured the points for the home side. Gareth Quinn-McDonogh replied with a penalty for the visitors.
Scorers Young Munster: R Moloney try, A Kingsley 2 pens, con, W Staunton drp gl.
Shannon: G Quinn-McDonogh pen.

Division 1B:

U.L. Bohemian 20, U.C.C. 23;
U.L. Bohemian’s promotion hopes received a major set back at Thomond Park after U.C.C. picked up the points to move up the table away from the relegation zone.

The visitors led 13-3 at half time with John Ryan scoring a try and Andrew Burke kicked a conversion and two penalties. Joe Holland and Michael Kennefick added second half tries and the Cork side had to with stand a late rally from U.L. which yielded two late tries.
Scorers U.L. Bohemian: E Torrie try, pen con, K Essex, D Moloney tries.
U.C.C.: John Ryan, Joe Holland, M Kennefick tries, A Burke 2 pens, con.

Dungannon 21, Bruff 8;
Another defeat for Bruff that sees the Munster Cup holders slip from a promotion place to relegation trouble in a game that could be a dress rehearsal for their Bateman All Ireland Cup Final meeting in April should Dungannon overcome Corinthians next month in their semi final.

The Ulster side led 7-3 at the interval with Tony Cahill kicking a penalty for the visitors. Dave Horan added a try after the break but it was not enough to secure a losing bonus point as the home side scored a last minute converted try.
Scorers Dungannon: Michael Lawton try, 3 cons, Ronan Halsall, Chris Cochrane tries.
Bruff: Dave Horan try, Tony Cahill pen.

Division 2:
The big shock in this Division was bottom side Clonakilty’s surprising 51-23 away win over promotion chasing Belfast Harlequins. Tom Ryan scored two tries for the winners and Wayne Falvey, Thomas Keogh, David Paurini, Michael O’Hea, Mark Purcell and Darragh Lynch got one each. Denis McCarthy kicked four conversions and a penalty.

Thomond slipped to bottom spot after their 58-17 by Trinity at College Park. Ben Rowley, Colin Liston and Michael Long were try scorers for the Limerick side and Kevin O’Mahony added a conversion.

Old Crescent’s 17-6 home defeat by Bective Rangers leaves them just two points off bottom place.

Midleton’s promotion hopes were dealt a big blow at Towns Park when promotion chasing Ballynahinch defeated them 36-14. The visitors had the bonus point secured by half time as they led 22-0. Second half tries from Alan Long and Glen Deacon both converted by Jeff Hitchmough were not enough for the home side to secure anything from this tie.

Division 3:
A second half come back saw Sunday’s Well snatch maximum points with a 32-26 away win over Wanderers at Merrion Road. Willie Devane scored two tries for the winners and John Moynihan and Barry Hanrahan got one Danny O’Shea kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Highfield secured two bonus points after a great second half come back just fell short as they lost at home to Greystones 30-28 having trailed 27-7 at half time. Mia Cronin scored two tries for the home side and David Kelly and Kevin Foyle got one each. Colin Mahony converted all four.

Tries by Stephen Carey, Shane O’Callaghan and Steven Harvey and a David Delaney conversion was not enough for Nenagh Ormond who lost at home to City of Derry 23-17.

RESULTS:
Ulster Bank League Division 1A:Cork Constitution 11,Garryowen 11;
Old Belvedere 16,Dolphin 16;
St. Mary's College 15,Blackrock College 34;
Young Munster 16,Shannon 3;

Division 1B:Dungannon 21,Bruff 8;
Galwegians 21,Buccaneers 15;
Lansdowne 16,Clontarf 23;
U.L. Bohemian 20,U.C.C. 23;

Division 2:Belfast Harlequins 23,Clonakilty 51;
Corinthians 18,Terenure College 17;
Dublin University 58,Thomond 17;
Malone 3,D.L.S.P. 26;
Midleton 14,Ballynahinch 36;
Old Crescent 6,Bective Rangers 17;
Old Wesley 17,Queens University 23;
U.C.D. 40,Ballymena 24;

Division 3:Ards 34,Connemara 32;
Highfield 28,Greystones 30;
Instonians 39,Banbridge 8;
Naas 31,Navan 17;
Nenagh Ormond 16,City of Derry 23;
Rainey Old Boys 19,NUIM Barnhall 17;
Seapoint 29,Suttonians 13;
Wanderers 26,Sunday's Well 32;