Weekend Rugby Roundup

It was a very exciting Finals Weekend in the All Ireland League, with Cork Constitution just missing out on retaining their crown, but holders U.L. Bohemian snatched a dramatic late winner to retain their Women’s title.

A late rally by Cork Constitution just came up short in their bid to win back to back titles at the Aviva Stadium as they lost to Clontarf 22-21.

Clontarf opened the scoring with an unconverted try, but a try by Sean French converted by James Taylor put the Leesiders 7-5 ahead. Clontarf regained the lead with a converted try, but Adam Maher had Con’ in front at half time with a try, which Taylor converted for a 14-12  lead.

A penalty by Conor Kelly in the 46^th minute and a try by Conor Fahy, converted by Kelly had the Dubliners leading 22-14. Con’ rallied but a try by Jacon Sheahan converted by Taylor was not enough to save the Temple Hill sides hopes of retaining their title.

A dramatic try in the 82^nd minute by Eilís Cahill saw defending champions U.L. Bohemian snatch victory against table toppers Railway Union at the Aviva Stadium. Constant pressure by the Dublin side saw them take a 5-0 lead with a try after seventeen minutes but winger Laoise McGonagle outpaced the Railway Union defence to touch down, and Kate Flannery’s conversion saw UL lead 7-5 after 25 minutes.

A second try for Railway Union was cancelled out by one from Chisom Ugwueru to give the Limerick side a 12-10 interval lead. Four minutes into the second half Chloe Pearse scored UL Bohs third try, but two converted tries entering the final quarter saw Railway Union lead 24-17.

The never say die attitude by the Limerick side saw Gráinne Burke close the gap to two points with a try and with the last play of the game Cahill came to Bohs rescue with a try which Flannery converted.

What  a dramatic finish at New Ormond Park, as two converted tries in added time by Nenagh Ormond saw them come from 33-22 down, to defeat U.C.C. 36-33 to win the Division 1A Promotion play off final and become the first Tipperary side to play in the topflight of the All Ireland League next season.

U.C.C. took the lead with a penalty try after six minutes and were never behind until those final minutes. Matthew Burke had Nenagh level with a try which Conor McMahon converted. Daniel Squires put the students back in front with a penalty, but McMahon tied the scores with a penalty. A try by Sean Edogbo converted by Squires gave U.C.C. a 17-10 interval lead. Squires added two penalties before a try by Josh Rowland converted by Charlie Doherty kept the home side in the contest. Squires kicked his fourth penalty to extend College’s lead to nine points (26-17).

A try by John O’Flaherty ten minutes from time made it a four point game. College replied with a try by Sean Condon which Squires converted in the 79^th minute and it looked like U.C.C. were returning to the flight, but a penalty try  and a second try by Rowland, which O’Doherty converted saw Nenagh take the honours.

But for Cashel the other Tipperary side in action, it was the opposite result as an injury time penalty by Matty Lynch gave Dublin University a dramatic 18-16 win in the Division 1B promotion/Relegation playoff final. Josh Pickering scored Cashel’s try and Ben Twomey converted and added three penalties.

Despite a late fight back, Midleton lost their Division 2B Promotion/Relegation play off away to Skerries 32-26. Johannes du Toit gave Midleton an early 7-0 lead with a try which Conall Doyle converted. Skerries hit back to lead 12-7 at halftime. Two tries and a penalty extended Skerries advantage to 27-7. Further tries by du Toit, Idris Rqibi, and Steve Monaghan, two of which Doyle converted were not enough to give Midleton the victory.

Thomond made a good start to their encounter away to Omagh Academicals in the Division 2C Promotion/Relegation as they led 13-3 at the interval with tries from Jamie McGarry and Kian McGrath, plus a penalty from Jason Kiely.

The third quarter was  a testing time for the Limerick side as Omagh rallied with tries either side of a penalty from Kiely, to trail 16-15. But a try by Jake Connolly converted by Kiely gave Thomond an eight point cushion, which they held on to the finish, and their was great emotion from the visiting fans when the ref sounded the final whistle as Thomond were back in Senior rugby after a six year gap.

Youghal won the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl Final at Virgin Media Park with a 16-7 win against Waterford City. Adam Malone and Bobby Nicholson scored tries for Youghal and Nathan O’halloran kicked two penalties for the winners.