Diarmuid Kearney’s All Ireland League results

By Diarmuid Kearney
THE weekend’s action across the Energia All-Ireland League was nothing short of dramatic, a weekend of sharp swings, big scorelines and significant results across the divisions, with the race for silverware and the battle for position intensifying as the season moved closer to its conclusion.
In Division 1A, Cork Constitution produced a strong second-half display to defeat Nenagh Ormond 42-19 at Temple Hill as they remained fifth in the table. Adam Maher struck twice before the break, while Sean French, Peter Hyland, George Good and Aidan Moynihan also crossed in a six-try performance. Nenagh stayed in touch through tries from Davey Gleeson and Fionn O’Meara.
Old Belvedere claimed an important 21-14 win over St Mary’s College at Ollie Campbell Park. With the sides level at 7-7 at half-time, Belvedere found the decisive edge after the interval through tries from Andre Ryan and Morgan Meredith, the latter also landing all three conversions. It was a significant result for Mary’s who now drop to second in the table.
Lansdowne moved up to third beating Terenure College 22-3 at Lakelands Park in their Dublin derby. Bobby Sheehan’s early try set the tone, with Paul Wilson and Cathal Eddy also touching down in a composed away performance, while Terenure’s only score came through a Chris Cosgrave penalty.
UCD secured one of the standout results of the round with a 28-21 victory over Ballynahinch, not enough for them to avoid a relegation play-off. The sides were level 14-14 at the break, but tries from Ben Brownlee and Oran Handley helped the students over the line.
At Tom Clifford Park, Clontarf recovered from a nine point half-time deficit to beat Young Munster 50-33 in a thrilling contest. The visitors ran in eight tries, with Peter Maher, Ivan Soroka and Dylan Donnellan among the scorers in an impressive comeback.
In the Women’s Division, Railway Union handed UL Bohemian their first defeat of the season with a 46-19 result in a repeat of last year’s final. Rhiann Heery scored a hat-trick, while Sarah O’Donnell added two tries.
Blackrock College also impressed in a 36-10 victory over Old Belvedere as they aim for a home semi-final, Maggie Boylan with two of their six tries. Ballincollig defeated Ennis 44-15 with Niamh Crotty and Awatere McLean-Wanoa both crossing twice. Wicklow and Galwegians shared the spoils in a gripping 36-36 draw, while after 34 defeats in a row, Tullow made history to defeat Cooke 12-7, Leah Browne and Emma Carroll crossing after a scoreless opening half.
Division 1B again delivered drama. Dublin University produced a six-try display to beat Naas 40-26 away from home, while leaders Old Wesley came from behind to defeat UCC 40-35 in another high-scoring encounter keeping them top by the minimum. Garryowen moved to fourth with a 36-33 win away to Instonians, Thomas Ironside Wickham crossing for the decisive try, while Blackrock College beat Queen’s University 29-21. Elsewhere City of Armagh overturned a 12-7 half-time deficit to defeat Highfield 25-12.
There were major results too in Division 2A, where Cashel ended MU Barnhall’s unbeaten run with a 40-35 result, while Shannon moved second with a 38-0 win over Banbridge, which confirmed their relegation. Galway Corinthians won 28-5 at Ballymena, while Wanderers hold on to fourth spot after defeating Dungannon 38-32, and Old Crescent defeated Greystones 13-10 as they bid to jump out of the relegation zone.
In Division 2B, Enniscorthy defeated Skerries 52-19, Clogher Valley handed Galwegians their first loss of the season in a 31-0 win in Crowley Park, Malone snatched a 35-34 win away to Navan, Sligo defeated Rainey 31-21 to leap their opponents into fourth spot, and UL Bohemian ran riot in a 70-22 win over Buccaneers, Cian Casey converting all ten of their tries.
Division 2C was equally lively. Bective Rangers beat Bruff 57-40 to confirm their place in the semi-finals. Dolphin defeated Thomond 54-28 to move up to fourth spot, as the Limerick side also booked a semi-final. Leaders Clonmel had to dig deep to secure a 42-36 win away to bottom placed Malahide. Ballyclare saw off Midleton 27-22, while Belfast Harlequins came from behind to beat Monkstown 29-21, a result that brought them closer to jumping out of the drop zone, as Monkstown slipped to fifth.
Results:
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A
Cork Constitution 42-19 Nenagh Ormond, Templehill
Old Belvedere 21-14 St Mary’s College, Ollie Campbell Park
Terenure College 3-22 Lansdowne, Lakelands Park
UCD 28-21 Ballynahinch, Belfield
Young Munster 33-50 Clontarf, Tom Clifford Park
Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division
Ballincollig 44-15 Ennis, Tanner Park
Blackrock College 36-10 Old Belvedere, Stradbrook
Railway Union 46-19 UL Bohemian, Park Avenue
Tullow 12-7 Cooke, Rathoe Road
Wicklow 36-36 Galwegians, Ashtown Lane
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B
Blackrock College 29-21 Queen’s University, Stradbrook
City Of Armagh 25-12 Highfield, Palace Grounds
Naas 26-40 Dublin University, Forenaughts
UCC 35-40 Old Wesley, The Mardyke
Instonians 33-36 Garryowen, Shaw’s Bridge
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A
Ballymena 5-28 Galway Corinthians, Eaton Park
Banbridge 0-38 Shannon, Rifle Park
Dungannon 32-38 Wanderers, Stevenson Park
Greystones 10-13 Old Crescent, Dr Hickey Park
MU Barnhall 35-40 Cashel, Parsonstown
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B
Enniscorthy 52-19 Skerries, Alcast Park
Galwegians 0-31 Clogher Valley, Crowley Park
Navan 34-35 Malone, Balreask Old
Sligo 31-21 Rainey, Hamilton Park
UL Bohemian 70-22 Buccaneers, UL 4G
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2C
Ballyclare 27-22 Midleton, The Cloughan
Bective Rangers 57-40 Bruff, Energia Park
Belfast Harlequins 29-21 Monkstown, Deramore Park
Dolphin 54-28 Thomond, Virgin Media Park
Malahide 36-42 Clonmel, Estuary Road

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