THE line-up for the semi-finals and relegation play-off places have all been decided after the completion of the final round of games in the All Ireland League, with some late scores deciding some of the positions.
In Division 1A, Cork Constitution secured their top four place thanks to a late try from Matisse Lamarque which helped Cork Constitution a 21-17 home win over Lansdowne. Niall Kenneally and Cian Barry were the Temple Hill side’s other try scorers. Aidan Moynihan converted all three tries, Con’ will now travel to Clontarf in the semi-final.
Dublin University looked like they were going to take the fourth place in Division 1A as they completely outplayed Garryowen at Dooradoyle in their 34-12 victory until Cork Con’s late try denied them. Ed Barry and Tony Butler scored tries for Garryowen and Butler added one conversion.
Young Munster lost away to Ballynahinch 17-10 with Shane Malone and Eoin O’Connor scoring first half tries for the Limerick side.
Penalty from Conor Rankin seals it!@HinchRFC 17 @YoungMunsterRFC 10#StagsUp
— Ballynahinch RFC (@HinchRFC) April 9, 2022
U.C.C. who play Ballynahinch in a relegation play-off game home and away lost their final league game 50-14 away to Terenure College. Matthew Bowen and Sam O’Sullivan scored tries for the Students and Daniel Squires converted both.
Highfield will host Shannon in their Division 1B semi-final play-off after both sides recorded bonus point wins.
Highfield had to come from behind to beat St. Mary’s College 28-24 to secure the bonus point victory that kept them ahead of Shannon in the table. Sam Burns, Colin O’Neill, Mark Dorgan and John McLoughlin scored tries for Highfield and Shane O’Riordan converted all four.
Shannon defeated leaders Old Wesley 61-12 on the back pitch in Thomond Park. Kelvin Brown (2), Alan Flannery, Declan Moore, Aran Hehir, Colm Heffernan and Ian Leonard were Shannon’s try scorers. Jake Flannery kicked six conversions and they were also awarded two penalty tries.
Cashel who knew before today’s game in Division 2A that they would be hosting Buccaneers in the semi-final, faced the same opposition in their final game at the Tipperary venue and were defeated 43-38. Brendan Crosse scored two tries for Cashel and Michael Kelly, Brian O’Connor, Philly Ryan and Adam Dunne got one each. Dan O’Neill kicked four conversions.
TRY!! Ian Leonard touches down! 🎥 @PrismDigital_ie pic.twitter.com/9JK5tBZw46
— Shannon RFC (@Shannon_RFC) April 9, 2022
Old Crescent who had an outside chance of reaching the play-offs, depending on other results, finished in fifth position after they came from behind to beat bottom side Rainey Old Boys 33-10. Tiveta Toia, Val McDermott, John Hurley, Ronan McKenna and Dean O’Grady scored tries for Crescent. Hurley kicked three conversions and McKenna one.
Dolphin defeated UL Bohemian 22-19 at Musgrave Park. Kevin Allen, Dave O’Mahony and Cian Fitzgerald scored tries for Dolphin and Daryl Foley converted two and, also added a penalty.
Nenagh Ormond who will travel to Rainey Old Boys on their first leg of the relegation play-off, finished their campaign with a 45-28 away win at M.U. Barnhall. David Gleeson, Derek Corcoran, Conor Muldoon, Niall O’Gorman, Kian O’Kelly and Peter Coman all scored tries for Nenagh. Fionn McGibney kicked five conversions and a penalty, and James Finn also added a conversion.
In Division 2C, Sunday’s Well avoided a relegation play-off with Clonmel when an injury time penalty from Fabien Loughery earned the Cork side a 25-24 victory. Adam Browne gave the ‘Well an early lead with a try but tries from Luke Noonan and Andrew Daly and a conversion by Darren Cross had Clonmel 12-8 ahead. Loughery kicked a penalty for the ‘Well before a try from Luke Hogan converted by Cross had the home side 19-8 ahead at half time. Michael Moynihan scored a try for the ‘Well which Loughry converted but Clonmel hit back immediately with a try from Luke Hogan. In the closing stages James Mulcahy scored the ‘Well’s third try and Loughery converted before the dramatic finish.
Clonmel will host City of Derry in the first leg of their relegation play-off.
Leaders Enniscorthy defeated Midleton 29-24 at the Towns Park. Julian Power scored two tries for Midleton and Rory Horgan and Willie Casey got one each. Stuart Lee converted two of the tries.
Bruff were defeated at home by Bangor 38-20 in their final game.
Instonians made a return to the All-Ireland League after their 25-21 win over Bective Rangers in the final of the Round Robin qualifier.
Progress was made in the three Bank of Ireland knock out competitions, as the end of the season draws closer.
Three of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup semi-finalists are known as Bandon, Thomond and Young Munster progressed, while Thurles and Cobh Pirates reached the Plate final, and Dolphin will face Waterford City in the Bowl Final.
There was plenty of drama in both cup quarter finals at Bandon and Coonagh. Ben Ridgeway kicked an injury time penalty to earn Bandon a 20-17 home victory over Kilfeacle. Two tries from Kevin Kinnane gave Kilfeacle a great start but indiscipline was to cost the Tipperary side dearly. Ridgeway gave Bandon a 12-10 interval lead after converting four penalties.
A try from Santiago Gonzalez put Bandon 17-10 ahead, before two Kilfeacle players were shown red cards. Kilfeacle rallied and a try by Evan Breen converted by Gavin Heuston looked like sending the game into extra time, until Ridgeway’s dramatic winner.
Bandon will face Thomond in next week’s semi-final after they won a thrilling encounter at Coonagh defeating Shannon 22-20. A try from Ian Brown and a conversion and a penalty by Ben Sargent gave Shannon an early lead. Thomond were level after twenty minutes with a try by Jack Connolly and a conversion and penalty by Adam Guerin. A Sargent penalty had Shannon 13-10 ahead at half time. Thomond took the lead with a try from Darragh O’Neill, converted by Guerin. However, Shannon restored their lead with a try from Gus Harrington following a rolling maul and Sargent converted. Three minutes from time, Jordan O’Donnell scored a try for Thomond as they held out for a place in the last four.
63 Shannon try off a maul. Ben Sargent adds a great conversion in a tough wind. 20-17 to Shannon pic.twitter.com/unGU98ByMu
— Shannon RFC (@Shannon_RFC) April 10, 2022
Young Munster brushed aside the challenge of surprise quarter finalists Ennis 55-0 at Tom Clifford Park. Paul Allen scored three of his side’s nine tries and Tom Ross, James Horrigan, Luke Fitzgerald, Aaron Kelly, and Jack Cosgrave also scored tries. Shane O’Brien kicked four conversions and they were also awarded a penalty try.
Young Munster will be away to the winners of next week’s outstanding quarter-final tie between Mallow and Muskerry which was postponed.
Thurles defeated St. Mary’s 38-7 at Grove Island to book their place in the final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate. Paddy McGrath contributed twenty-three points of Thurles’ total with two tries, five conversions and a penalty. Mark Cummins, Colin Nolan, and Luke Kelly also scored tries for the winners. Mary’s only reply was a try Ross Kelly which Paul Loughran converted.
Cobh Pirates booked their place in the final with a 34-22 win over east Cork rivals Midleton at the Towns Park. Mark Lynch, Jack Gilmartin, Emmet O’Sullivan, Cian Ahern, and Storm Le Roux were the Pirates try scorers. Rory Pierce kicked two conversions and a penalty and Adam Devine also kicked a conversion. Gearoid Collins, Chris O’Brien, and Niall Higgins replied with tries for Midleton. Josh Daly kicked two conversions and a penalty.
Waterford City reached the final of the Bank of Ireland Bowl after they saw off the challenge of Castleisland 17-15. Gareth Plant scored two tries for Waterford and NJ Carlton one, with Plant adding one conversion.
Dolphin travelled to Clare and defeated Scariff 19-7 to reach the final. Scott Rochford, Luke Moloney and Phil Elwood scored tries for Dolphin and Ryan O’Herlihy added two conversions. William Fitzgerald scored Scariff’s try which James Hastings converted.
Clanwilliam won the Garryowen Cup after defeating Waterpark 20-14 in the final. Waterpark who led 14-10 at half time with tries from Gary Walsh and Jamie Kiersey both converted by Willie Walsh. Despite constant pressure in the final stages, Waterpark were unable to breach a solid Clanwilliam defence. Shaun Whelan scored two tries for the Tipperary side and Niall Leahy converted both and added two penalties.
Fethard completed their Section C Junior League program with a 42-10 away win at Fermoy. Peter Wall, Jack Kealy, Mike Lawrence, Paddy Gaynor, Darren Prout and Conor Kavanagh scored tries for Fethard and Josef O’Connor converted all six tries. Dylan Foley and James O’Driscoll replied with tries for Fermoy.
Killarney moved a step closer to promotion from Conference E after their 38-10 away win at Chorca Dhuibhne. Paudie Sheahan, Dave Howard, Ger Moynihan, Colin McCarthy, Brendan Fuller, and Paric Talbot scored tries for Killarney and Sheahan kicked four conversions. Gearoid Breathnach and Seamus Moriarty replied with tries for Chorca Dhuibhne.
In the other game in this Conference Douglas edged out Bantry Bay 24-19. Evan Chester, Fion O’Sullivan, Cian Twomey and Dave McCarthy scored tries for Douglas. Podge McSweeney and Sean O’Shea each kicked a conversion. Bantry replied with tries from Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Niall O’Brien and Paddy Goggin. Sean McCarthy converted two of the tries.
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