Energia All-Ireland Leagues’ penultimate round

By Diarmuid Kearney

II was a dramatic Saturday of action across the Energia All-Ireland League, that delivered another round of significant results, with the penultimate round of Men’s action and the final round of the Women’s Division throwing up plenty of drama,
In Division 1A, Lansdowne strengthened their hold on third spot with an impressive 31-19 win over Clontarf at the Aviva Stadium back pitch. Tries from George Morris, Matt Healy, Greg McGrath, Paul Wilson and James Kenny underlined a composed display, while Stephen Madigan added three conversions. Clontarf stayed in touch through Dylan Donnellan, Jordan Coghlan and Paul Deeny.
Ballynahinch were in sparkling form in Ballymacarn Park, beating Old Belvedere 38-12. Aaron Sexton scored twice, Joshua Hanlon also grabbed a brace, and Matthew Booth and Quinn Armstrong added further tries in a powerful performance to move them into seventh spot. Old Belvedere responded through Joshua Ericson and David Wilkinson.
The highest-scoring game of the round came at New Ormond Park, where UCD edged Nenagh Ormond 57-49 in a thrilling shootout. Daniel Hurley crossed for a hat-trick, Maxim Aschenbrenner scored twice, and UCD finished with nine tries overall. Nenagh stayed in the contest throughout, with Patrick Scully scoring twice and seven different players contributing in a remarkable contest.
Young Munster claimed a valuable 22-20 away win over St Mary’s College but missed out on top four. Mary’s led 13-5 at the break, but second-half tries from Luke McCready and Fionn Gibbons, along with Kelvin Langan’s penalty and two conversions, turned the game in the visitors’ favour.
Terenure College also produced a statement result, defeating Cork Constitution 21-5 at Lakelands Park, with Griffin Culver, Luke Clohessy and Will Hickey all crossing as they hold fourth spot going into the final week of play.
In the Women’s Division, Blackrock College secured a hard-earned 17-7 victory away to UL Bohemian, but by score difference Bohs finished in top spot. Railway Union made it 15 wins in a row with a commanding 39-0 win over Old Belvedere.
Leah Tarpey struck inside the opening minute, and Railway never relented, adding further tries through Meabh Keegan, Heidi Lyons, Hannah Scanlan, Sarah Munnelly, Evelyn Donnelly and Sarah O’Donnell, as they miss out on a home semi-final.
Galwegians also produced a powerful display, beating Ballincollig 43-5 at Crowley Park. Grace Browne Moran led the way with a hat-trick, while Saoirse Lawley, Mollie Starr, Gemma Faulkner and Orla Dixon also crossed. Tullow defeated Ennis 28-10, but it was not enough to confirm their safety as Cooke finished strongly to overcome Wicklow 31-22 to send Tullow into a relegation play-off.
Division 1B continued to serve up drama. Old Wesley beat Naas 35-22 to take a one point lead in the title race until the final day, Dublin University defeated City of Armagh 26-17 at College Park to keep pressure on their Dublin neighbours.
Garryowen were ruthless in a 63-21 victory over Queen’s University to confirm fourth spot in the play-offs, and Blackrock College ran in eight tries in a 53-24 win away to Highfield, Derry Moloney with a hat-trick. Instonians held off a late UCC fightback to win 19-17 at Shaw’s Bridge.
In Division 2A, Shannon defeated MU Barnhall 28-12 to confirm their spot in the promotion play-offs, Wanderers moved third after they saw off Banbridge 41-19, with Dungannon dropping to fourth after suffering a 22-7 defeat to Galway Corinthians, putting pressure on them to remain in the top four next weekend.
Cashel were again in formidable form, sweeping past Old Crescent 47-13 with Alan Flannery scoring a hat-trick and Rob Carney adding two tries off the bench, while Ballymena edged Greystones 24-22 to confirm their safety.
In Division 2B, Sligo claimed a 33-26 win away to Buccaneers to hold fourth spot going into the final day, they are being chased by Malone who beat Clogher Valley 24-15 to sit two points behind them. UL Bohemian defeated Skerries 31-20 to move into second spot, while Galwegians returned to winning ways with a 40-30 success against Rainey, scuppering the Ulster side’s hopes of a top four finish. Elsewhere, Navan edged Enniscorthy 32-29, and
Division 2C also produced tight finishes and important results. Dolphin won 33-21 away to Clonmel to remain fourth as they look to make the semi-finals. Monkstown beat Bruff 36-24 to bring it to the final day of the season to see who can finish fourth.
Midleton edged Bective Rangers 34-33 in a thriller to confirm their safety, Seamus Lyne with a last gasp conversion. Thomond overcame Ballyclare 17-10, and Malahide recovered from a difficult first half to beat Belfast Harlequins 36-22, meaning they need a big win next weekend to avoid relegation.
Outside of the AIL action, Boyne and Enniskillen will meet each other in the Energia All-Ireland League Provincial League Championship Final to gain promotion to Division 2B next season. Boyne had a nervy finish in their 36-28 win over Kilfeacle & District, while Enniskillen defeated Creggs 33-8.
Results:
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A
Ballynahinch 38-12 Old Belvedere, Ballymacarn Park
Lansdowne 31-19 Clontarf, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch
Nenagh Ormond 49-57 UCD, New Ormond Park
St Mary’s College 20-22 Young Munster, Templeville Road
Terenure College 21-5 Cork Constitution, Lakelands Park
Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division
Cooke 31-22 Wicklow, Shaw’s Bridge
Ennis 10-28 Tullow, Drumbiggle
Galwegians 43-5 Ballincollig, Crowley Park
Old Belvedere 0-39 Railway Union, Ollie Campbell Park
UL Bohemian 7-17 Blackrock College, UL 4G
Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B
Dublin University 26-17 City Of Armagh, College Park
Garryowen 63-21 Queen’s University, Dooradoyle
Highfield 24-53 Blackrock College, Woodleigh Park
Instonians 19-17 UCC, Shaw’s Bridge
Old Wesley 35-22 Naas, Energia Park
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A
Galway Corinthians 22-7 Dungannon, Corinthian Park
Greystones 22-24 Ballymena, Dr Hickey Park
Old Crescent 13-47 Cashel, Takumi Park
Shannon 28-12 MU Barnhall, Thomond Park Back Pitch
Wanderers 41-19 Banbridge, Merrion Road
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B
Buccaneers 26-33 Sligo, Dubarry Park
Malone 24-15 Clogher Valley, Gibson Park
Navan 32-29 Enniscorthy, Balreask Old
Rainey 30-40 Galwegians, Hatrick Park
Skerries 20-31 UL Bohemian, Holmpatrick
Energia All-Ireland League Division 2C
Belfast Harlequins 22-36 Malahide, Deramore Park
Clonmel 21-33 Dolphin, Ard Gaoithe
Midleton 34-33 Bective Rangers, Towns Park
Monkstown 36-24 Bruff, Sydney Parade
Thomond 17-10 Ballyclare, Liam Fitzgerald Park
Energia All-Ireland League Provincial League Championship Semi-Finals
Boyne RFC 36-28 Kilfeacle & District, Mullingar RFC
Enniskillen 33-8 Creggs, Mullingar RFC

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