Stressing that no match in the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A is insignificant, UCD and Young Munster, two teams that seemed to have the least at stake, both secured victories this Saturday, potentially altering the fate of other teams.
UCD handed Clontarf, the table leaders, only their third loss of the season, with a 38-32 victory at the Belfield Bowl, while Young Munster, or ‘the Cookies’, dealt a heavy blow to Trinity’s ambition to maintain their top league position with a 26-10 triumph.
Ruairí Shields’ trio of goals greatly aided UCD in blasting Clontarf into a 24-5 lead at half-time. However, Clontarf, runner-up from last season, made a fighting return with five further tries post break. Tarf’s two bonus points ensured they maintained a two-point lead above Terenure, who clinched their ninth consecutive victory, halting Cork Constitution’s six-win streak.
Terenure usurped Con by one point due to their 26-23 bonus-point victory at Temple Hill. The victory had an added sheen as Terenure fought back from a 14-0 trail, with Con’s Matthew Bowen marking his seventh try in three games after successfully seizing an overthrow. Jack Kelleher scored early in the match, setting up the lead. However, Terenure bounced back following Alan Bennie’s strategically-managed first try and later tries by winger Craig Adams and hooker Levi Vaughan. This onslaught led to Bennie scoring the decisive fourth try in the final 10 minutes, giving Terenure the lead for the first time.
Still in the running for the semi-finals, Ballynahinch, currently in fifth place with 49 points, eked out a hard-fought 10-5 victory over Lansdowne, who are in fourth place with 53 points, with two games still to be played.
City of Armagh, finding their footing in their inaugural season in 1A, halted their three-match losing streak with a crucial 36-26 victory over Shannon. Each team was awarded an attack bonus point, enabling Armagh to extend a four-point lead over their Limerick counterparts, who currently hold the relegation playoff spot, six points ahead of Trinity.
Blackrock’s ambitions of achieving their third successive promotion remained intact as they secured a crucial 21-17 victory against Old Belvedere at Stradbrook in Division 1B. Garryowen and Highfield, who notably won their games against Queen’s and Buccaneers respectively, have consequently moved up to the playoff places, pushing Belvo down.
While the Buccaneers are almost definitely moving towards relegation, Nenagh Ormond appears to be their most likely replacements, despite succumbing to a shocking 15-11 defeat against Navan. Meanwhile, Barnhall stayed ten points behind due to their loss to Banbridge at home.
In Division 2B, Instonians, who are leading the pack, are one step closer to achieving their second straight promotion with a notable 48-14 victory over Rainey. While Wanderers suffered a defeat at the hands of Sligo, Corinthians made their way to the second position after a 24-22 win in Malahide and are set to host Instonians next.
Interestingly, after a home draw of 17-17 against Dungannon, Belfast Harlequins managed to step over Dolphin in the rankings due to better points difference, given Dolphin’s 24-22 loss against Skerries. Clogher Valley’s lead in Division 2C was brought down to a mere five points owing to a 21-19 defeat by Midleton and Galwegians’ impressive 46-13 victory over Clonmel.
The results for the individual divisions are as follows:
Division 1A: Ballynahinch prevailed over Lansdowne with a score of 10-5. City of Armagh beat Shannon scoring 36-26, while Cork Constitution were bested by Terenure at 23-26. Following that, UCD reigned over Clontarf with a 38-32 victory, and Young Munster beat Dublin University with a score of 26-10.
Division 1B: In addition to Blackrock’s victory over Old Belvedere, other notable games included Buccaneers’ 7-24 loss to Highfield, Garryowen’s staggering 55-26 win over Queens, Naas’ 20-39 defeat against Old Wesley, and UCC’s narrow loss to St. Mary’s College at 26-31.
Division 2A: The games included Cashel’s 23-10 victory over Greystones, MU Barnhall’s unfortunate 27-28 loss to Banbridge, Navan’s surprise victory over Nenagh Ormond, Old Crescent’s 22-29 loss to Ballymena, and UL Bohemian’s tight 15-17 defeat against Malone.
In the Division 2B matches: Belfast Harlequins and Dungannon ended in a draw with 17 points for each team, while Skerries edged past Dolphin with a score of 23 against 21. Instonians had a significant victory over Rainey, scoring 48 to their 14 points. Galway Corinthians had a close win with 24 points over Malahide’s 22, and Sligo overtook Wanderers holding 26 to their 19.
For the Division 2C matches, Ballina presented a close game, defeating Enniscorthy by a margin of 35 to 31 points. Bangor had a more definite win over Bruff, finishing with 21 to their 6 points. Midleton marginally defeated Clogher Valley with a 21 to 19 points finish. Galwegians marked a commanding victory over Clonmel, scoring a whopping 46 against 13 points, and Omagh Academicals beat Tullamore with a final score of 30 against 17.