AIL Round Up | Young Munster maintain challenge while Old Crescent see off UL Bohs

The All Ireland League returned this weekend with a full compliment of games played

Young Munster maintained their challenge in Division 1A with a late 27-20 bonus point win over UCD at Tom Clifford Park. The Cookies built up a 15-3 interval lead with tries from Conor Hayes and an intercept try by Pat Ryan. Evan Cusack converted one of the tries and also kicked a penalty.

Jason Kiely scored the home sides third try, but the students fought back to level 20-20 but a late try from Patrick Campbell converted by Cusack sealed the points for Young Munster.

Garryowen’s poor recent run continued when they lost 36-7 away to Clontarf. The current league leaders had the bonus point wrapped up in the opening half  as they led 29-0 at the interval. Jack Daly scored Garryowen’s try and Tony Butler converted.

Division 1B leaders Highfield were held 9-9 by Shannon at Woodleigh Park and are now three points behind new leaders Old Wesley who were 26-8 winners at home to City of Armagh. The sides were level 3-3 at half time with James Taylor kicking three penalties for the home side and John O’Sullivan replying with three kicks for Shannon. Taylor had an opportunity to win it at the death but his long rangepenalty effort just missed the target.

Old Crescent eased their relegation worries with a convincing 34-15 bonus point win over UL Bohemians at the UL Arena to make amends for their 28-17 defeat by the same opposition at Takumi Park before Christmas. Niall Hardiman opened the scoring for Crescent after seven minutes and Ronan McKenna converted before Bohes replied with a penalty midway through the half. A try Cathal O’Reilly on the stroke of half time gave the visitors a 12-3 interval lead.

Hardiman scored his second try on forty seven minutes and McKenna converted. Minutes later Bohs were back in the match with a converted try. Scores from Dan Hurley and McKenna along with a conversion by McKenna sealed the five points for the visitors.

Cork Constitution’s hopes of a top four finish were dealt a blow at Lakelands Park, after Terenure College did the double with a 13-6 win over the Leesiders. Aidan Moynihan kicked two penalties for the Temple Hill side.

UCC went down to another heavy defeat losing 53-0 to Dublin University at the Mardyke.

Cashel maintained their challenge for a top four finish in Division 2A with a 14-10 home win over MU Barnhall. Alan McMahon scored a try for Cashel and Cian Mullane kicked three penalties.

Dolphin’s recent good run game to an abrupt end away to bottom side Nenagh Ormond who recorded an impressive 51-14 victory. Peter Coman and David Gleeson each scored two tries with Conor McMahon, Derek Corcoran and Willie Coffey also scoring tries. They were also awarded a penalty try. McMahon kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Midleton’s hopes of a top four finish were dealt a blow when they lost 18-10 away to Tullamore. Rory Horgan scored a try for Midleton and  Stuart Lee converted and also added a penalty.

Sunday’s Well recorded their first win of the campaign with a 20-13 win over Bruff in an exciting game at Musgrave Park that could have gone either way. Gary O’Sullivan, Billy Pope and Sean McCarthy scored tries for the ‘Well while Fabien Loughrey kicked a conversion and a penalty. Bruff replied with a try from Jack O’Grady which Paul Collins converted and also added two penalties.

Leaders Enniscorthy continued their good run with a 27-11 home win over Clonmel. Conor Pearson scored a try for Clonmel and Gavin Whelan kicked two penalties.

In the Women’s top four All Ireland League, a late converted try by Railway Union saw them defeat UL Bohemians 14-10 at Willow Lodge. The sides were level 7-7 at half time with Rachel Allen scoring a try for the Limerick side with Nicole Cronin converting and also adding a penalty.

Ballincollig made a great start to the Women’s Conference with a 17-15 win over Malone at Gibson Park. Heather Kennedy scored two tries for the Cork side and Denise Redmond added a try and a conversion.