Casper Gabriel, the 19-year-old prodigy from Austria who plays for Terenure, made a standout performance during an Energia All-Ireland League match. The game was a rematch of the previous year’s Division 1A semi-final against Lansdowne. Playing as the replacement outhalf, his remarkable contribution was instrumental in Terenure’s 28-22 triumph.
With 12 minutes left, Terenure held a narrow lead at 23-22. Gabriel brilliantly offloaded a pass to Craig Adams, after receiving the ball from co-debutant Chris O’Connor during a back-pedalling scrum. Subsequently, Adams worked with O’Connor to score, effectively securing Terenure’s victory. In a surprising move, Lansdowne chose a scrum from a penalty in the last seven minutes. As a result, Marcus Hanan, a 23-year-old prop had a successful return to AIL action after a neck surgery absence, clinching a relieving penalty.
Andy Marks, Lansdowne’s impressive centre, scored twice early on to establish a 12-0 lead. The game turned when Adam La Grue’s try was converted by Chris Cosgrave, who also scored two long-distance penalties, putting Terenure ahead with 13-12 at half time. Lansdowne regained the lead with a debut try from Todd Lawlor, only for it to be answered with another Cosgrave penalty and a try set up by Henry McErlean for David Maher.
The match up between Young Munster and Cork Con took place earlier due to incoming heavy rainfall. The game had Cork Con establishing a 20-0 lead during the first half, thanks to tries by former sevens winger Seán French and scrumhalf Adam Maher. Matthew Bowen increased the tally with a third try, followed by James Taylor’s kicks, terminating Young Munster’s undefeated streak with a 25-5 loss.
Clontarf emerged victorious in a fiercely contested match against UCD, scoring a third bonus-point and securing a 30-15 win, thanks to their dominating power game. In the battled out game amidst sodden conditions, City of Armagh emerged surprisingly triumphant above Garryowen, winning by a slim margin of 13-6 at Dooradoyle. Ballynahinch was already ahead with five tries by halftime leading with 31-7, though St Mary’s rallied back, saving some grace with two bonus points in a 36-33 defeat. Despite St Mary’s single victory, they are positioned fourth following their recent promotion.
Blackrock earned a significant victory of 35-34 over Old Belvedere at Ollie Campbell Park, thereby bringing an end to Old Belvedere’s winning streak. With Nenagh drawing 22-22 with Old Wesley at Energia Park nearby, they remain the only undefeated team in 1B.
In the 2A Division, Corinthians, Barnhall, Cashel, and Instonians maintain their fast pace, each gaining a third bonus-point victory. Of these, the highlight was Corinthians’ 63-23 win over Navan. The talented Seán Naughton converted a whopping nine tries, including two by John Devine, a fellow team member from under-20 Ireland.
The women’s division saw a rematch of last season’s final where Railway Union got their payback against champions UL Bohs. They secured a 19-18 win in a match relocated to Annacotty due to penalty tries by Claire Boles, leading to a 19-18 comeback victory.
Weekend Energia All-Ireland League results are as follows:
Men’s Division 1A: Ballynahinch 36-33 St Mary’s College; Cork Constitution 25-5 Young Munster; Garryowen 6-13 City of Armagh; Terenure College 28-22 Lansdowne; UCD 15-30 Clontarf.
Division 1B: Highfield vs Dublin University, postponed; Old Belvedere 34-35 Blackrock College; Old Wesley 22-22 Nenagh Ormond; Queens 14-50 UCC; Shannon 18-23 Naas.
In Division 2A, MU Barnhall beat Ballymena 24-17, while Cashel won by a staggering 43 points against the Buccaneers, who failed to score any points. The match between Greystones and Instonians was closely fought, with Instonians narrowly winning 29-28. Corinthians took a significant victory over Navan of 63-23. Old Crescent ended the match with a 17-12 victory over Banbridge.
Moving on to Division 2B, Skerries marginally bested Dungannon with a score of 22-21, and the margin was the same in the Galwegians versus Clogher Valley game, with Clogher Valley winning. Sligo succumbed to Malahide in a high scoring game of 39-35. Wanderers dominated their game against Malone, winning with a 35-14 score. UL Bohemian managed to edge out Rainey 17-15.
In Division 2C, Belfast Harlequins narrowly defeated Bruff with 7 points to 5. Clonmel and Dolphin had to settle for a tie at 10 points each. Ballyclare lost to Midleton by 10 points, with a final score of 20-10. Monkstown defeated Omagh Academicals 26-15. The game between Tullamore and Enniscorthy resulted in a deadlock, with each team scoring 25 points.
For the Women’s Division, Ballincollig and Suttonians match ended in a 10-10 draw. Tullow fell to Cooke, who dominated with a scoreline of 36-12. Blackrock College came out on top against Old Belvedere, winning by 15-7. Railway Union managed to keep a one-point lead over UL Bohemian, winning 19-18. Wicklow had a landslide victory over Galwegians with an impressive 45-7 scoreline.