WITH just one round of games left in the All Ireland League, the battle hots up for home semi-final places, as well as avoiding the relegation play-offs.
Cork Constitution ended Young Munster’s hopes of a top four finish in Division 1A with a 27-19 victory at Tom Clifford Park.
Young Munster who trailed 13-7 at half time, took the lead with tries from Conor Phillips and Shane Malone and an Evan Cusack conversion but the Temple Hill side hit back with tries from Niall Kenneally and Max Abbott both of which Aidan Moynihan converted. Eoin O’Connor scored Young Munster’s opening try, while Billy Crowley scored a try in the opening half for Con’ and Moynihan converted and also added two penalties.
With what was in effect a knockout game, @CorkConRugby ended @YoungMunsterRFC chances of a top four finish. In a tense six try game the visitors showed intent from the word go and deserved victory on the day. @cpeezy15 driving for the try line is well tackled here #IRFU #Limerick pic.twitter.com/N9sxPEVSEH
— Liam Coughlan (@Liam09C) April 3, 2022
A last minute penalty from Tony Butler earned Garryowen a 15-14 victory over UCC at the Mardyke. Tries by Dylan Murphy and Jack Delaney and a Butler conversion gave Garryowen a 12-0 interval lead. Tries from Matthew Bowen and Joe O’Leary both converted by Rob Hedderman put the students ahead until Butler’s late penalty decided it.
In Division 1B, second place Highfield and third placed Shannon recorded bonus point victories and with just a point between them, they are due to meet in the semi-final play-offs but who will have home advantage will not be known until after next week’s games.
Shannon were 31-6 away winners at Banbridge. Kelvin Browne scored two of Shannon’s tries – Jordan Prenderville and Alan Flannery got one each. Jake Flannery kicked three penalties and a conversion.
The loudest rendition of There is An Isle in quite some time after today’s @IrishRugby #EnergiaAIL win over Banbridge.
Today’s win also sees us qualify for the playoffs
🎥 @PrismDigital_ie pic.twitter.com/XogSQftwsU
— Shannon RFC (@Shannon_RFC) April 2, 2022
Next week Shannon host leaders Old Wesley, while Highfield travel to fifth place St Mary’s College.
Highfield defeated bottom side Navan 57-7. Sam Burns scored three tries for the Woodleigh Park side, Luke Kingston and Travis Coomey got two each, Miah Cronin and Dave O’Connell also scored tries. Shane O’Riordan kicked six conversions.
Cashel secured a home semi-final draw in Division 2A after their 20-10 away win at Nenagh Ormond. Johnny Blair and Diarmuid Gallagher scored tries for Cashel and Cian Mullane converted both and also added two penalties. James Finn and Peter O’Connor replied with tries for Nenagh.
A late penalty try earned UL Bohemian a 26-21 home win over MU Barnhall. Colin Ryan, Paul Clancy and Colin Madden scored tries for the winners and Harry Byrne added two conversions.
Leaders Queen’s University proved too strong for Old Crescent winning 33-13. Val McDermott scored a try for Crescent and John Hurley converted and also added two penalties.
Tries from Ryan Foley and Rob Reardon were not enough for Dolphin who lost 18-10 away to Rainey Old Boys.
In Division 2C late tries from Fabien Loughry and Cormac Kelliher earned Sunday’s Well a 27-15 home win over Midleton to move them out of the relegation zone. The ‘Well led 12-3 at the break with tries from Will Trevor and Adam Brown with Loughry kicking three conversions. Stuart Lee replied with two tries, a conversion and a penalty for Midleton.
Bruff defeated second placed Skerries 42-37 to ensure their All Ireland League status at Holmpatrick. Kieran Bennett scored two of Bruff’s six tries, with Dave O’Grady, Kieran O’Dwyer, Johnny Clery and Fergal Cooke also scoring.
Clonmel are routed to the foot of the table after their 24-8 away defeat by Bangor. JJ McIlwraith scored a try for Clonmel and Darren Cass added a penalty.
Results
All Ireland League Division 1A: Clontarf 40, Ballynahinch 14;
Dublin University 34, U.C.D. 27
Lansdowne 30, Terenure College 42;
U.C.C.14 , Garryowen 15;
Young Munster 19, Cork Constitution 27;
Division 1B: Banbridge 6, Shannon 31;
Highfield 57, Navan 7;
Malone 33, Naas 16;
Old Belvedere 29, City of Armagh 37;
Old Wesley 22, St. Mary’s College 15;
Division 2A: Buccaneers 19, Ballymena 3;
Nenagh Ormond 10, Cashel 20;
Queens University 33, Old Crescent 13;
Rainey Old Boys18 , Dolphin 10;
U.L. Bohemian 26, M.U. Barnhall 21;
Division 2B: Belfast Harlequins 20, Galway Corinthians 10;
Blackrock College 45, Ballina 0;
Galwegians 15, Wanderers 46;
Greystones 83, Malahide 0;
Sligo 29, Dungannon 19;
Division 2C: Bangor 26, Clonmel 8;
Enniscorthy 19, City of Derry 17 ;
Skerries 37, Bruff 42;
Sunday’s Well 27, Midleton 15;
Tullamore 22, Omagh Academicals 20;
The post AIL Round-Up | Young Munster miss out on top four place as Shannon move closer to home semi-final berth in 1B appeared first on Sporting Limerick.
