Ulster Bank League Roundup

There were wins for Cork Constitution and Young Munster in Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League as Garryowen lose to leaders at Belfield.

Despite playing into a strong wind in the opening half at Temple Hill, tries from Ned Hodson and Luke Cahill and a conversion and a penalty by Johnny Holland had Cork Constitution 15-0 ahead at half time in their home tie with Old Belvedere.
Hodson and James Ryan added further tries to secure the bonus point and Holland kicked a conversion and a second penalty and Darragh Lyons also kicked a conversion for 32-0 victory.

Young Munster edged out Terenure at Tom Clifford Park on a 14-6 scoreline.
Conditions were not ideal and not surprisingly there was only one try in a game in which Terenure had a player sin-binned in each half.
Young Munster made the perfect start with a penalty by Gearoid Lyons but Jake Swaine equalised after 24 minutes.
Again Lyons found the range to have the home side back in front but once more Swaine made it 6-6 which it remained at half time.
The all-important try came after 53 minutes. Terenure seemed to have won their own scrum but the ball popped out and the Young Munster scrumhalf Abrie Griesel pounced for the touchdown.
To make sure of the points Lyons kicked his third penalty six minutes from the end.

Division 1A leaders UCD brushed aside the challenge of Garryowen at Belfield when they ran out 45-19 winners.
Garryowen trailed 21-7 at half time and Neil Cronin, Jordan Coghlan and Dave Sherry scored tries for the Limerick side and Cronin added two conversions.

In Division 1B, Shannon defeated Dolphin 13-3 in their basement clash at Irish Independent Park.
David O’Donovan made his 200^th AIL appearance for Shannon. The visitors led 6-0 at half time with two penalties from Tadhg Bennett. Greg O’Shea added a try and Bennett converted. Daryl Foley kicked a penalty for the home side.

UL Bohemian still remain in relegation trouble after their 17-15 home defeat at Annacotty by Ballymena.
Three Rick McKenna penalties had UL Bohes 9-5 ahead at half time. Ballymena scored three tries to take the spoils but McKenna added two further penalties to earn the home side a losing bonus point.

In Division 2A, U.C.C. were comprehensive 44-3 winners over bottom side Galway Corinthians at the Mardyke.
The students had the bonus point wrapped up at half time to lead 29-3 with tries from Chris McAuliffe, Charlie Slowey, Cathal Gallagher and Ben Mitchell. Kevin O’Keeffe converted three and kicked a penalty.
Paul Kiernan added two tries in the second half and O’Keeffe added a conversion and a penalty.

League leaders Banbridge were 20-18 away winners at Cashel.

Nenagh Ormond eased their relegation worries with a 30-15 away win over Skerries. Kolio Hifo scored two tries for the Tipperary side and Anthony Grey and Derek Corcoran got one each. Mike Walsh kicked two penalties and a conversion and Hifo also added a conversion.

Promotion chasing Naas defeated Thomond 27-18. Mike McMahon, Geoff O’Donoghue and Fiach O’Loughlin scored tries for Thomond and Fionn McGibney kicked a penalty.
Sunday’s Well maintained their promotion challenge in Division 2B with a 16-14 away win over City of Armagh. The home side led 9-6 at half time and a second half try from Shane Desmond and a conversion and three penalties by Shane O’Riordan saw the ‘Well take the points.

The Highfield v Rainey Old Boys game was postponed just before kick off when torrential rain made the Woodleigh Park pitch unplayable.

Old Crescent have extended their lead at the top of Division 2C after their 52-5 home win over bottom side Dundalk. Larry Hanly scored two tries and three conversions for Crescent. Brendan Guilfoyle (2), skipper Cathal O’Reilly, Padraig Monaghan, Sean Monaghan and Marty Ryan were their other try scorers. Shane O’Brien also kicked three conversions.

Bruff were surprisingly beaten by a late penalty by Sligo going down 16-14. Tony Cahill and Mike Cooke scored tries for Bruff and Cahill converted both.

Midleton kept their promotion hopes alive with a 14-6 home win over Navan. Mark O’Connell scored a try for the home side and Stuart Lee kicked three penalties.

Kanturk were beaten by Boyne in Drogheda 25-24. Ronan O’Brien and Conor Cremin scored tries for Kanturk and Mark Healy kicked a conversion and four penalties.

RESULTS:
Ulster Bank League Division 1A: Ballynahinch 33, Galwegians 16;
Clontarf 18, Lansdowne 19;
Cork Constitution 32, Old Belvedere 0;
UCD 45, Garryowen 19;
Young Munster 14, Terenure College 6;

Division 1B: Belfast Harlequins 12, Blackrock College 10;
Dolphin 3, Shannon 13;
Dublin University 22, Buccaneers 23;
Old Wesley 14, St. Mary's College ;20
UL Bohemian 15, Ballymena 17;

Division 2A: Cashel 18, Banbridge 20;
Naas 27, Thomond 18;
Queens University 31, Malone 25;
Skerries 15, Nenagh Ormond 30;
U.C.C. 44, Corinthians 3;

Division 2B: City of Armagh 14, Sunday's Well 16;
City of Derry 29, Seapoint 0;
Dungannon 3, Bective Rangers 7;
Greystones 12, MU Barnhall 14;
Highfield v Rainey Old Boys postponed;

Division 2C: Boyne 25, Kanturk 24;
Midleton 14, Navan 6;
Old Crescent 52, Dundalk 5;
Sligo 16, Bruff 14;
Wanderers 6, Tullamore 5;