All the results and detais from Saturday’s AIL

By Diarmuid Kearney
IT was a high scoring and dramatic weekend of action in the Energia All-Ireland League across every division, with tight finishes and several significant results in both the title races and relegation battles.
In Division 1A, Ballynahinch defeated Cork Constitution 28-26 in a tense contest at Ballymacarn Park. Daniel Bennett crossed for the final try for the hosts, and Conor Rankin’s conversion proved the decisive score, as Michael Cogan crossed late for Con, but the conversion to level the tie failed to split the uprights.
Clontarf and Old Belvedere produced the game of the round in a remarkable 54-51 thriller at Castle Avenue. Peter Maher scored a hat-trick for Clontarf, with Dylan Donnellan adding two tries in a frantic contest that saw 14 tries shared between the sides. Belvo had six different try scorers, including Morgan Meredith, who also kicked all six conversions and three penalties.
Lansdowne recorded a controlled 31-13 win over Young Munster at the Aviva Stadium back pitch. Bobby Sheehan crossed twice for the Dublin side, while James Tarrant, Jack Matthews and Barry Fitzpatrick also touched down. Shane O’Leary’s boot and an Alan Kennedy try had Young Munster behind by four at the break, but Lansdowne pulled away after the interval.
Terenure College prevailed 40-31 in an entertaining clash away to Nenagh Ormond, confirming relegation in the process for the Tipperary side. Terenure ran in six tries in total, while Nenagh’s Patrick Scully and Davey Gleeson both grabbed doubles in a game level at 19-19 at half-time.
St Mary’s College produced one of the most dominant performances of the round to book their semi-final place, defeating UCD 59-12 at Templeville Road. Ruairi Shields crossed twice early on as Mary’s surged into a 33-0 half-time lead before finishing with nine tries, including a brace from Richie Bergin, as Mick O’Gara landed seven conversions, making it 164 points for the season.
In the Women’s Division, Railway Union ended Blackrock’s 14 game winning run with a 39-5 result in Stradbrook, scoring seven tries. UL Bohemian made it 16 wins from 16 as they defeated Old Belvedere 41-22, Lucia Linn crossing for a brace of tries against her former head coach in Fiona Hayes.
Ennis picked up another big win in their debut season, defeating Wicklow 38-36 in a thrilling contest in Drumbiggle, Galwegians beat Tullow 26-0 with Saoirse Lawley grabbing two tries off the bench and Ballincollig claimed a narrow 24-19 win away to Cooke, as Aoife Fleming’s try converted by Emma Connolly helped ensure the points.
In Division 1B, Tries from Schalk Van Der Merwe and Bradley McNamara helped Instonians defeat leaders Old Wesley 35-32 in a dramatic encounter at Energia Park, despite Wesley leading 25-14 at the interval. The gap at the top of the table is now just a point as Dublin University staged a comeback of their own to defeat UCC 13-12 at College Park, Matthew Lynch scoring and converting a try in the burning embers for a one point win, adding to two penalties after UCC led 12-0 at the break.
Garryowen also recovered from a slow start to beat Blackrock College 31-28, Max Clein scoring four tries as they were behind 21-5 at the interval. Naas secured an important 24-21 win away to Highfield to move them out of the drop zone, Dylan O’Keeffe with a brace of tries, while City of Armagh claimed Ulster derby honours with a 31-12 victory over Queen’s University, confirming Queen’s relegation.
In Division 2A, MU Barnhall were crowned champions after their 24-21 win over Old Crescent. Conor Duggan, Shane Mallon and Abdul Olaosebikan all crossed for tries on a famous day for the Kildare side.
Cashel produced the most emphatic result of the weekend, defeating Banbridge 73-14 with Alan Flannery scoring five tries and Marcel Strydom adding a hat-trick. Shannon defeated Dungannon 23-19 having trailed 14-11 at the break, Wanderers defeated Ballymena 17-12, while Galway Corinthians narrowly beat Greystones 15-14.
Galwegians, who included Limerick’s Liam Angermann, are Division 2B champions following their 40-15 win over Malone. A late David Maxwell penalty helped Clogher Valley defeat Sligo 27-26, Rainey overcame UL Bohemian 26-24, despite Oisin Fagan scoring a hat-trick for the visitors. Enniscorthy defeated Buccaneers 33-26, while Skerries defeated Navan 20-17.
In Division 2C, Clonmel powered past Belfast Harlequins 66-14 with ten tries to book their semi final place, Michael Connellan and Freddie Davis with a brace of tries, while Joey O’Connor landed eight conversions. Ballyclare overcame Bruff 34-19 to keep their top four hopes alive, Jacob Scarlett with a brace of tries. Dolphin are three points off fourth spot as they defeated Midleton 20-17, Bective Rangers defeated Monkstown 28-21 in their Dublin derby and Thomond secured a 34-24 win over Malahide, Jamie McGarry with two of their tries.
Results:
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A
Ballynahinch 28-26 Cork Constitution, Ballymacarn Park
Clontarf 54-51 Old Belvedere, Castle Avenue
Lansdowne 31-13 Young Munster, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch
Nenagh Ormond 31-40 Terenure College, New Ormond Park
St Mary’s College 59-12 UCD, Templeville Road
Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division
Cooke 19-24 Ballincollig, Shaw’s Bridge
Galwegians 26-0 Tullow, Crowley Park
Ennis 38-36 Wicklow, Drumbiggle
Blackrock College 5-39 Railway Union, Stradbrook
Old Belvedere 22-41 UL Bohemian, Ollie Campbell Park
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B
Dublin University 13-12 UCC, College Park
Garryowen 31-28 Blackrock College, Dooradoyle
Highfield 21-24 Naas, Woodleigh Park
Old Wesley 32-35 Instonians, Energia Park
Queen’s University 12-31 City Of Armagh, Dub Lane
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A
Cashel 73-14 Banbridge, Spafield
Galway Corinthians 15-14 Greystones, Corinthian Park
Old Crescent 21-24 MU Barnhall, Takumi Park
Shannon 23-19 Banbridge, Thomond Park Back Pitch
Wanderers 17-12 Ballymena, Merrion Road
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B
Buccaneers 26-33 Enniscorthy, Dubarry Park
Clogher Valley 27-26 Sligo, The Cran
Malone 15-40 Galwegians, Gibson Park
Rainey 26-24 UL Bohemian, Hatrick Park
Skerries 20-17 Navan, Holmpatrick
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2C
Bruff 19-34 Ballyclare, Kilballyowen Park
Clonmel 66-14 Belfast Harlequins, Ard Gaoithe
Midleton 17-20 Dolphin, Towns Park
Monkstown 21-28 Bective Rangers, Sydney Parade
Thomond 34-24 Malahide, Liam Fitzgerald Park

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