Ulster Bank League Division 1A
LANSDOWNE 9 CLONTARF 6, Aviva Stadium
CONOR MCKEON WAS the hero for Lansdowne as his nerveless injury-time penalty decided today’s low-scoring Division 1A top of the table clash, with Clontarf beaten 9-6.
The Ireland Under-20 international kicked Lansdowne to their third straight win – and their second of the month on the Aviva Stadium’s main pitch. The result ended defending champions ‘Tarf’s winning start to the new Ulster Bank League campaign.
Mike Ruddock’s men broke the deadlock in the fifth minute when out-half Scott Deasy slotted a penalty from 30 metres. Mark Roche, Cian Kelleher and Tom Daly were all prominent as Lansdowne laid down an early marker.
Deasy’s opposite number David Joyce levelled via a 15th minute penalty and this was a far cagier affair in comparison to the sides’ recent meetings – they scored seven tries and 61 points in last April’s game at the same venue.
The loss of centre Michael Brown to injury 19 minutes was a set-back for Clontarf but following a further Lansdowne indiscretion, the dependable Joyce expertly split the posts to offer a slender 6-3 interval advantage to the Bulls.
Clear-cut try-scoring chances were still at a premium on the restart and after Lansdowne lock Brian Moylett was sent to the sin-bin for dangerous play in the 51st minute, Joyce pushed a long range penalty wide.
The introduction of underage internationals Dylan Donnellan and McKeon helped to give Lansdowne fresh impetus during Moylett’s absence, although McKeon missed his first shot at the posts.
The former Gonzaga College pupil was on target from a more central position in the 67th minute to square things up between the last two league title winners.
In a nerve-wrecking finale, referee Andy Brace awarded two penalties to ‘Tarf on the hosts’ 22 but Joyce failed to convert either. He was particularly unfortunate with the second one which hit the woodwork and Lansdowne breathed a huge sigh of relief.
The headquarters club then built a platform to snatch a last-gasp victory, McKeon doing the needful with his final place-kick two minutes into injury-time.
Scorers
Lansdowne
Pen: Scott Deasy, Conor McKeon 2
Clontarf:
Pens: David Joyce 2
CORK CONSTITUTION 23 BALLYNAHINCH 16, Temple Hill
Cork Constitution posted their first league victory as tries from young backs Rob Jermyn and Tomás Quinlan saw them defeat Ballynahinch 23-16 at Temple Hill.
The Leesiders took control immediately with a fifth minute penalty from Darragh Lyons, who captained the team in Gerry Hurley’s absence, and winger Jermyn’s converted score followed soon after.
Ballynahinch centre Richard Reaney – taking over the kicking duties from the injured Chris Quinn and Ulster-tied Stuart McCloskey – fired over a long range penalty in the 20th minute, but missed three further kickable efforts from the tee.
‘Hinch had recovered well after full-back Steve Macauley’s early sin-binning, remaining 10-3 behind for the break, and Macauley cut through for a five-pointer in the 46th minute.
But Cork Con went 17-8 ahead when Munster Under-20 talent Quinlan managed to collect his own kick through to touch down out wide. A Lyons penalty from 40 metres widened the margin to 12 points.
The County Down side were back in bonus point territory thanks to a 74th minute try from replacement prop Kyle McCall, before a Quinlan penalty proved to be the clinching kick for Constitution.
Ballynahinch deservedly got something out of the game though as Reaney redeemed himself for those earlier misses by landing an injury-time penalty.
Scorers
Cork Constitution:
Tries: Robert Jermyn, Tomas Quinlan; Con: Darragh Lyons 2;
Pens: Darragh Lyons 2, Tomas Quinlan
Ballynahinch:
Tries: Steve Macauley, Kyle McCall;
Pens: Richard Reaney 2
UCD 32 DOLPHIN 12, Belfield
Leinster Academy speedster Adam Byrne helped himself to two tries in UCD’s 32-12 bonus point defeat of Dolphin at Belfield.
The students bounced back from losing away to Young Munster last week, shooting into an early 14-0 lead. A converted try from lock Brian Quill kept Dolphin competitive at the break as they trailed 22-7.
But UCD’s pace and angles of running were too much for the Corkmen at times, with Byrne’s wing colleague Sam Coghlan Murray and replacements James Harrison and Ross Byrne all touching down.
Dolphin did get some joy from the forward exchanges and new tighthead prop James ‘Rocky’ Rochford scored a second half try, however it was scant consolation for Steve Ford’s side who remain bottom of the table and are the only team yet to win.
Scorers
UCD:
Tries: Adam Byrne 2, Sam Coghlan Murray, James Harrison, Ross Byrne; Cons: Liam Bourke 2;
Pen: Liam Bourke
Dolphin
Try: Brian Quill, James Rochford; Con: Rory Scannell
OLD BELVEDERE 10 ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 14, Anglesea Road
St. Mary’s College won at the third attempt when edging out hosts Old Belvedere 14-10 in a tightly contested Dublin derby at Anglesea Road.
A first half try from winger Conor Toolan was bolstered by a penalty try and two Gavin Dunne conversions. Mary’s did lose replacement Dave Fanagan to the sin-bin and centre Peter Robb touched down for the second week running to give ‘Belvo a losing bonus point.
Scorers
Old Belvedere:
Try: Peter Robb; Con: Josh Glynn;
Pen: Josh Glynn
St. Mary’s College:
Tries: Conor Toolan, Penalty try; Cons: Gavin Dunne 2
TERENURE COLLEGE 42 YOUNG MUNSTER 0, Lakelands Park
In-form Terenure College tore Young Munster apart in a 42-0 demolition job at their Lakelands Park fortress.
Terenure ran in six tries in all and their efforts were enough to see them climb to the top of the table, level on 13 points with fellow unbeaten side Lansdowne but with a superior +60 scoring difference.
Tries from last season’s Division 1B Player of the Year Robert Duke (16 minutes) and winger Harry Moore (39) had the Dubliners 13-0 clear by half-time.
Play had to be held up for 30 minutes due to an injury to Young Munster number 8 Sean Rennison early in the second period. He was taken away by ambulance and is reportedly recovering well.
When the match got back underway, the points kept coming for the home side as Mark O’Neill’s second penalty was followed by a try from scrum half Kevin O’Neill off a five-metre scrum.
Terenure had to play without sin-binned second row Fergal Walsh, but a bad error by Young Munster full-back Ben Martin allowed Shane Donovan clean through for his third try in as many games.
That was the bonus point safely locked away for James Blaney’s charges and centre Stephen O’Neill added the fifth try with 15 minutes left, scoring from a chip through after captain James O’Neill had reacted quickly to a poor restart.
Back rower Kyle McCoy got his name on the scoresheet in the 73rd minute, controlling the ball at the base of an advancing scrum to grab try number six which Stephen O’Neill converted.
Scorers
Terenure College:
Tries: Robert Duke, Harry Moore, Kyle McCoy, Kevin O’Neill, Stephen O’Neill, Shane Donovan. Cons: Mark O’Neill 2, Stephen O’Neill;
Pens: Mark O’Neill 2
Young Munster:
Ulster Bank League Division 1B
GALWEGIANS 13 UL BOHEMIANS 10, Crowley Park
Galwegians have young replacement Ciaran Gaffney to thank for their dramatic late 13-10 win over UL Bohemians in Ulster Bank League Division 1B.
Following two bonus point victories in the previous rounds, table toppers ‘Wegians needed an 82nd minute drop goal from Gaffney to extend their winning start to the season this afternoon.
UL Bohs had looked the more likely winners in the closing stages, dominating possession and forcing penalties but their out-half Shane Airey missed a 67th minute effort from the kicking tee.
The respective place-kickers, Dave Clarke and Airey, had swapped penalties in the 50th and 57th minutes, with Bohs’ veteran full-back Mossy Lawler sin-binned for a late tackle and Galwegians hooker Jack Dinneen following him off the pitch some minutes later.
Matt Brown’s hosts started like a train and shot ahead thanks to a second minute try from winger Matt Dever, with full-back John Cleary doing well in the build-up.
But Bohs, who were third before kick-off thanks to two opening wins, hit back with a try from captain Ed Kelly via a tenth minute maul. It remained 7-all up to half-time and while both sides were left to rue missed kicks, Ireland Under-20 international Gaffney bravely took on the mantle of match winner.
Scorers
Galwegians:
Try: Matt Dever; Con: Dave Clarke;
Pen: Dave Clarke;
Drop: Ciaran Gaffney
UL Bohemians:
Try: Ed Kelly; Con: Shane Airey;
Pen: Shane Airey
BALLYMENA 24 DUBLIN UNIVERSITY 12, Eaton Park
Second-placed Ballymena continued on the right road with a 24-12 success at home to struggling Dublin University.
The Eaton Park side made it three wins out of three with their new full-back Sean Taylor – the former Preston Grasshoppers and England Counties player – running in a brace of tries against the students.
Scrum half David Shanahan and winger Tim Small, both try scorers in recent weeks, also touched down for the impressive Braidmen.
Trinity crossed the whitewash twice in the second half, including a first Ulster Bank League score for USA international winger Tim Maupin.
Scorers
Ballymena:
Tries: David Shanahan, Tim Small, Sean Taylor 2; Cons: Tim Small 2
Dublin University:
Tries: Brian du Toit, Tim Maupin; Con: Conor Kearns
GARRYOWEN 23 CORINTHIANS 18, Dooradoyle
Corinthians started and finish with tries from props Jamie Dever and JP Cooney, but their efforts were only enough for a losing bonus point as Garryowen prevailed on a 23-18 scoreline at Dooradoyle.
The Light Blues matched the visitors’ try count with scores from tighthead JP Cooney and centre James McInerney, while out-half Jamie Gavin having a key contribution with the boot – he accumulated 13 points, including three penalties, over the course of the game.
Scorers:
Garryowen:
Tries: JP Cooney, James McInerney; Cons: Jamie Gavin 2;
Pens: Jamie Gavin 3
Corinthians:
Try: Jamie Dever, Finlay Bealham; Con: Miah Nikora;
Pens: Miah Nikora 2
MALONE 19 BELFAST HARLEQUINS 20, Gibson Park
Malone full-back Rory Campbell’s hat-trick of tries was not enough in a hard-fought local derby as Belfast Harlequins came away from Gibson Park with a 20-19 victory.
When the dust settles on this one Malone will feel this was a game they had complete control of and should have won, while Adam Larkin’s ‘Quins will be pleased with their character and determination to fight back and take the four points.
It was a lively start with both sides showing a willingness to run the ball, and Harlequins hit the front when lock Stuart Currie was driven over for a converted try from a close-in lineout.
Malone’s flame-haired flanker Conor Joyce was sin-binned for a late 10th minute tackle and the hosts’ goal-kicking centre Josh Pentland missed a couple of penalty attempts.
However, in the 22nd minute, ‘Quins early lead was erased when John Creighton switched play to the right where Campbell came into the line at pace and managed to squeeze over at the corner flag. Pentland converted but missed a central penalty late in the half as the sides went in level at the break (7-7).
The Cregagh Red Sox nudged ahead in the 51st minute as Campbell sliced through the Harlequins defence to sprint in from halfway and dive under the posts for his second seven-pointer.
Some of that damage was repaired for ‘Quins by two Lane penalties, making it 14-13 until good work by Alan O’Connor and scrum half Creighton set Campbell free for his hat-trick score.
The try scorer missed the conversion and determined ‘Quins produced the stronger finish. Joyce earned a second yellow card for coming in at the side of a maul, leaving Malone under intense pressure.
The visitors kicked for the corner again and from the lineout, Ulster prop Ricky Lutton managed to crash over for a try. Lane’s crucial conversion made it 20-19 and with Pentland pushing a late penalty wide, ‘Quins were back to winning ways.
Scorers
Malone:
Tries: Rory Campbell 3; Cons: Josh Pentland, Rory Campbell
Belfast Harlequins:
Tries: Stuart Currie, Ricky Lutton; Cons: David McMaster, Eamon Lane;
Pens: Eamon Lane 2
SHANNON 17 BUCCANEERS 27, Coonagh
When Tadhg Bennett stepped up to take a last minute penalty it seemed as if Shannon would grab a losing bonus point against the odds after being 27-5 in arrears to Buccaneers after 52 minutes.
Bennett, who has won so many games for Shannon, failed on this occasion but there could be little doubt that the best team won at Coonagh as Buccs took a 27-17 verdict.
Shannon also went close – twice – to getting what would have been a try-scoring bonus point but their day was summed up early on when young winger Greg O’Shea had a foot in touch when attempting to score his second try.
Buccaneers went in front thanks to a third minute penalty by Alan Gaughan when Shannon were pinged for offside and after Bennett missed his first attempt on goal, Gaughan again found the range.
O’Shea’s 11th-minute try had Shannon back in the game but they were stunned when Gaughan, a former Garryowen player, got in for a try which he also converted.
The Pirates seemed to hit their stride approaching half-time as winger Rory O’Connor crossed for a Gaughan-converted try and the Limerick club were 20-5 adrift.
Matters got worse for Shannon four minutes into the second half when lock Josh O’Rourke was credited with the touchdown after the entire Buccs pack went over the whitewash and Gaughan again converted.
Having looked dead and buried, Shannon rallied with a 57th minute try by captain John Shine and replacement Liam Cronin claimed another with 13 minutes remaining, but try as they might Ian Sherwin’s youthful side could not muster another score.
Scorers:
Shannon:
Tries: Greg O’Shea, Liam Cronin, Josh Shine; Con: Tadhg Bennett
Buccaneers:
Tries: Alan Gaughan, Rory O’Connor, Josh O’Rourke; Cons: Alan Gaughan 3;
Pens: Alan Gaughan 2
