Ulster Bank League Roundup

Cork Constitution pip Young Munster by a point in Division 1A, as Thomond miss out on automatic promotion from Division 2B on points difference.

Though 47 points were scored in this close affair at Clifford Park between Young Munster and Cork Constitution only four tries were scored split between them as Con’ won 24-23.
Young Munster made the better start when Brian Haugh landed a penalty after only two minutes when the visitors were punished for going over the top.
The lead was short lived as Cons broke on the left from near halfway and James Ryan went in for a try.
Midfield slackness was costly for Young Munster and another lapse after thirteen minutes saw Cons break again from depth and this time Darragh Lyons got over in the corner and despite the angle Gerry Hurley converted.
In a game of plenty of action Young Munster's man of the match, Brian Haugh touched down between the posts and he added the conversion after a great break by Kolio Hifo.
With the last kick of the first half Hurley landed a Con’ penalty to have the visitors 15-13 in front at the interval.
Two minutes into the second half Young Munster were penalised for bringing down a scrum and Hurley landed the penalty but it was 18-18 after 58 minutes when Hifo sprinted over and when Haugh added the conversion the home side were in front 20-18.
But two more Hurley penalties gave the Cork side the points and Young Munster a losing bonus point.

Old Belvedere went top of the table after their 21-15 home win over Dolphin. A try by Niall Scannell and a conversion and penalty by Rory Scannell had Dolphin 10-9 ahead at half time. A second try by Eoin O’Shaughnessy tied the scores mid way through the second half, but the boot of Josh Glynn who kicked all of Belvo’s points saw Dolphin only come away with a losing bonus point.

At Templeville Road, St. Mary's College overturned a half-time deficit with four second half tries to condemn former champions Garryowen to relegation for the first time in their history. That remarkable run was ended by a 40-26 defeat. Tries from JP Cooney, Mark Rowley and Steve McMahon with two Andrew O'Byrne conversions gave Garryowen a 19-12 lead in an end-to-end first half. It was all Mary’s after the break as the visitors failed to add to their tally.

Malone outplayed Shannon on the back pitch at Thomond Park in Division 1B to ease their relegation worries with a 27-7 victory.
Tadgh Bennett had a Shannon try, converted by Rob Guerin, after 20 minutes but Malone led 10-7 at the interval.

Buccaneers defeated U.L. Bohemian 24-23 at Dubarry Park to finish second in the league. Robbie Bourke, Jack O’Donovan and Darren Moloney were try scorers for UL Bohes and Shane Airey kicked a conversion, drop goal and a penalty.

UCC hopes of promotion from Division 2A were dealt a cruel blow at the Mardyke as the Students lost at home to City of Derry 26-17. Tries from Joe Holland and Kieran Stokes both converted by Sean Og Murphy, who also kicked a penalty had the students 17-12 ahead at half time, but they were no match for their visitors in the second half.

Cashel defeated bottom side Bruff 24-7 and Old Crescent who are also relegated lost away to Queens University 34-5.

Highfield hopes of avoiding the relegation play off were dealt a blow following their 21-17 home win over Bective Rangers as both Naas and Seapoint the sides just above them in the table also won.
Kevin Foyle, Dave Kelly scored tries for Highfield who were also awarded a penalty try. Ian O’Donoghue converted all three.

In Division 2B Nenagh Ormond finished their campaign unbeaten after their 29-7 away win over Ards.

Thomond who started the day in second place ahead of Skerries and Greystones on points difference defeated DLSP 38-7, but both their main challengers also won with bonus points but Skerries overturned a nine point deficit to lead by two at the finish.

Greystones travelled to Musgrave Park and defeated Sunday’s Well 24-10. The ‘Well were awarded a penalty try and Shane O’Riordan kicked a conversion and a penalty.

A converted try in the twelfth minute of injury time saw City of Armagh defeat Midleton 12-10. Mike Sinclair and David O’Sullivan scored tries for the East Cork side.

RESULTS:
Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Ballynahinch 29, U.C.D. 14;
Lansdowne 34, Clontarf 27;
Old Belvedere 21, Dolphin 15;
St. Mary's College 40, Garryowen 26;
Young Munster 23, Cork Constitution 24;

Division 1B: Blackrock College 12, Dublin University 26;
Buccaneers 24, U.L. Bohemian 23;
Dungannon 10, Terenure College 44;
Galway Corinthians 13, Belfast Harlequins 21;
Shannon 7, Malone 27;

Division 2A: Ballymena 24, N.U.I.M. Barnhall 13;
Banbridge 13, Naas 17;
Cashel 24, Bruff 7;
Galwegians 50, Rainey Old Boys 3;
Highfield 21, Bective Rangers 17;
Queens University 34, Old Crescent 5;
Seapoint 15, Old Wesley 10;
U.C.C. 17, City of Derry 26;

Division 2B: Ards 7, Nenagh Ormond 29;
D.L.S.P. 12, Thomond 17;
Midleton 10, City of Armagh 12;
Richmond 10, Navan 16;
Sligo 13, Skerries 50;
Sunday's Well 10, Greystones 24;
Suttonians 10, Instonians 27;
Tullamore 26, Boyne 7;

All Ireland Provincial League: Kanturk 18, Clogher Valley 7;
Wanderers 51, Connacht 7