Weekend Rugby Roundup

It was not a good day for Munster clubs in the Men’s All Ireland League as only four of the 14 clubs won and several of the those that lost were to late scores. There were wins for UL Bohemian and Ballincollig in the Women’s All Ireland League and Clonakilty move up to third place in Munster Junior League.

In Division 1A of the Men’s AIL, Cork Constitution were pushed all the way by bottom side Dublin University at College Park where a last minute try by Max Abbott gave the Temple Hill side a 19-17 victory. Ronan O’Sullivan, and Matisse Lamarque d’Arrouzat were Con’s other try scorers. James Taylor kicked two conversions.

Despite having a 10-7 interval lead at Lakeland Park with a try by Fionn Gibbons and a conversion and penalty by Cian Casey, Young Munster were out muscled in the second half as holders Terenure College recorded a 25-10 victory.

Shannon remain in the relegation battle after they lost 28-13 at home to Lansdowne. Kelvin Brown scored Shannon’s try and Mike Cooke converted and added two penalties.

In Division 1B, Garryowen’s recent good run came to an end at Templeville Road, when a last minute try gave runaway leaders St. Mary’s College a 28-27 victory. Des Fitzgerald, Jeronimo Ureta and Saenz Pena scored tries for Garryowen and Jack Oliver kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Highfield came from 17-0 down at Ollie Campbell Park to earn a share of the spoils against Old Belvedere when they finished level 27-27. Richard Cassidy scored two tries for Highfield and Colin O’Neill one. Shane O’Riordan converted all three tries and also added two penalties.

UCC eased their relegation worries with a magnificent 41-10 bonus point victory away to Queens University. Scott Buckley scored two tries for the Cork students and Louis Bruce, Peter Hyland and Sean Condon also crossed the white wash. Cian Whooley converted all five tries and added two penalties.

Division 2A leaders Nenagh Ormond who held a 40-7 lead away to Banbridge, lost 42-40. David Gleeson scored two tries for the Tipperary side and Josh Rowland and John Healy got one each. They were also awarded two penalty tries. Conor McMahon kicked three conversions.

Second placed Cashel who led MU Barnhall 12-9 at half time with tries from Kevin O’Sullivan and Mikey Wilson and a conversion by Ben Twomey lost at home 21-12.

UL Bohemian lost 34-31 away to Ballymena having led at one stage 24-5. Liam Neilan, Jay Traynor, and two from Ihechi Oji were the Bohs try scorers. Harry Byrne kicked four conversions and a penalty.

Old Crescent kept their promotion hopes alive with a 23-22 away win at Gibson Park, where they defeated Malone 23-22. Sean Donnarumma, Darragh O’Brien, and Jack O’Mahony scored tries for Crescent. Ronan McKenna kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Dolphin lost 23-0 away to Sligo in Division 2B.

Bruff remain in third place in Division 2C after their 17-10 home win against Omagh Academicals. Tom O’Dwyer and John Sheehan scored tries for Bruff and Paul Collins converted both  and also added a penalty.

Midleton lost at home to Tullamore 11-7. Midleton’s score was a penalty try.

Clonmel were beaten at home by bottom side Ballina 21-13. Seamus Keating scored a try for Clonmel and Josef O’Connor converted and also added two penalties.

The Women’s All Ireland League resumed with leaders UL Bohemian continuing their recent good run with a 58-5 win away to Galwegians. Aoibhe O’Flynn scored two of their 10 tries and Ciara O’Dwyer, Stephanie Nunan, Clodagh O’Halloran, Muirne Wall, Eva McCormack, Éabha Nic Dhonnacha, Rachel Allen, and Abbie Salter-Townsend getting one each. Éabha Nic Dhonnacha and Aoife O’Shaughnessy each kicked two conversions.

Ballincollig travelled to Dublin and defeated Suttonians 22-0 with tries from Gemma Lane, Clare Coombes, Alison Kelly, and Michelle O’Driscoll. Sinead O’Reilly added one conversion.

In the men’s Munster Junior League Division One, Clonakilty have moved up to third place after defeating local rivals Bandon 15-10 at The Vale. Cathal O’Regan and Olan Deane scored tries for Clonakilty, and Eoin Downey kicked a conversion and a penalty. Zac Allen replied with a try for Bandon and Dylan Barr added a conversion and a penalty.

Kanturk eased their relegation worries  with a 22-14 bonus point home win over Sunday’s Well. Bryan O’Sullivan, and Brian O’Sullivan each scored two tries for Kanturk and Stephen McAuliffe kicked one conversion. Jamie O’Leary and Logan Henry replied with tries for the ‘Well with Henry converting both.

Kilfeacle won the big Tipperary derby defeating local rivals Clanwilliam 34-3 at Clanwilliam Park. Killian Noonan scored two of Kilfeacle’s five tries with Ricky Whitney, Cormac Ryan, and Darren Lowry getting one each. Luke Heuston kicked three conversions and a penalty. Darragh Burke replied with a penalty for Clanwilliam.

Crosshaven have move up to second place in Division 2 after their 24-8 away at Cobh Pirates. James Burke, Cian Long, Jake Russell and Jack O’Connell scored tries for Crosshaven and O’Connell converted two of the tries. Kevin Murphy replied with a try for the Pirates and Rory Pierce kicked a conversion.