It was not a good day for the two Munster clubs in Division 1A of the opening round of the Energia All Ireland League as both lost at home.
Despite getting of to a great start at Temple Hill in their Division 1A tie against Terenure College, with a try from Adam Maher, which Aidan Moynihan converted to give Cork Constitution a 7-0 lead after two minutes, but the visitors hit back to lead 15-7 at the interval. Moynihan closed the gap with a penalty, but two tries and a conversion saw Terenure run out 27-10 winners.
It was a disappointing opening for Young Munster, who lost 47-14 at home to Old Belvedere. Tries from Benn Dalle Cort and Kelvin Langan, both converted by Cort, were the home side scorers.
In Division 1B, Garryowen staged a great second half come back at Dooradoyle to defeat Instonians 25-20, having trailed 17-5 at half time.
Nenagh Ormond got off to a winning start following their relegation, with a 22-12 away win against Highfield. A penalty from Jonty Stewart gave the Tipperary side a 3-0 interval lead. Two tries from Matt Brice and one by Robbie Tynan, two of which Stewart converted earned the points for Nenagh. A late rally by Highfield saw Jamie Shanahan and Nicky Greene score tries and Shane O’Riordan added one conversion.
Despite taking an early lead with a try by Daniel Murphy and a conversion by James Wixted, U.C.C. lost away to Naas 32-12.
Cashel defeated U.L. Bohemian 32-17 in their Division 2A clash at Cashel. Conor Moloney, Marcello Frati, Craig Hannon, Matias Masetti and Ben Twomey scored tries for Cashel and Twomey kicked two conversions and a penalty. Darren Farrer and Simon Staunton replied with tries for U.L. Bohs and Cian Casey added two conversions and a penalty.
Shannon lost their home encounter to Queens University 32-21. Neil Cronin and Neal Moylett scored tries for Shannon and they were also awarded a penalty try. Jamie Gavin kicked two conversions.
There were victories in all the Division 2B South games for Munster sides.
Bruff caused a big upset with a 33-5 away win against Buccaneers. Jessie Smith scored two tries for Bruff and Paul Collins, Cillian Rea and Kian Smith got one each with Collins kicking four conversions.
Old Crescent won a thriller 36-33 away to Bective Rangers. Junior Okafor and Timmy Duggan each scored two tries for the Limerick side. Riley Kinloch and Brian Molloy also scored tries and Ben Daly kicked three conversions.
Clonmel had to rely on a late try from Josef O’Connor to give them a 33-28 away win at Monkstown. Robert Wall scored two tries for Clonmel and Jason Monua and Jack Walsh also crossed the line. O’Conor kicked four conversions.
Dolphin defeated Enniscorthy 37-12 at Virgin Media Park with two tries from Ryan Foley and one each by Jack Winters and Darragh Buckley. Conor Mulvihill kicked four conversions and three penalties.
Midleton defeated Thomond 23-12 at Liam Fitzgerald Park. Midleton were 16-0 ahead at half time with a try by Gabriele Baffigi and Seamus Lyne kicked a conversion and three penalties. Mark Corby added a second try and Lyne converted. Aaron Rice and Sam Birrane scored tries for Thomond and Evan Cusack kicked a penalty.
RESULTS
Energia All Ireland League Division 1A:Ballynahinch 24,U.C.D. 39;
Clontarf 38,Old Wesley 22;
Cork Constitution 10,Terenure College 27;
Lansdowne 18,St. Mary's College 19;
Young Munster 14,Old Belvedere 47;
Division 1B:Blackrock College 21,M.U. Barnhall 19;
City of Armagh 21,Dublin University 21;
Garryowen 25,Instonians 20;
Highfield 12,Nenagh Ormond 22;
Naas 32,U.C.C. 12;
Division 2A:Ballymena 26,Greystones 14;
Cashel 32,U.L. Bohemian 12;
Dungannon 17,Galwegians 5;
Galway Corinthians 28,Wanderers 26;
Shannon 21,Queen's University 32;
Division 2BN:Ballyclare 32,Sligo 26;
Clogher Valley 38,Malahide 15;
Enniskillen 33,Rainey 29;
Malone 29,Banbridge 27;
Skerries 44,Navan 22;
Division 2BS:Bective Rangers 33,Old Crescent 36;
Buccaneers 5,Bruff 33;
Dolphin 37,Enniscorthy 12;
Monkstown 28,Clonmel 33;
Thomond 12,Midleton 23;