With a week break in place for Six Nations opening weekend, Clontarf remain top of 1A despite two defeats in a row, the gap between the top five is only a couple of points as we really hit the business end. Elsewhere City of Armagh jumped out of the relegation zones with a win over Young Munster.
Ballynahinch 40-13 UCD, Ballymacarn Park
Hinch kept up their push for a semi final spot as they produced a dominant second half performance to overcome UCD.
Michael Moloney did give UCD the early lead, it was quickly eradicated when George Pringle added the opening try of the contest four minutes later, Conor McKee converting for a four point lead. Moloney struck another penalty five minutes later to cut the gap to a point. As the half rumbled on, both were not giving an inch UCD saw yellow late in the half and a minute later Aaron Cairns went over for their second try as McKee converted. 14-6 at the break.
UCD saw another yellow four minutes into the second half and again Hinch pounced, Claytan Milligan over for the try that went unconverted. Hinch entered a purple patch as Aaron Sexton added their bonus try and Ethan McIlroy then went over, both converted by McKee for a 33-6 lead before the hour mark.
With 65 minutes gone Hinch added their next score, Bradley Lunney crossing and Paul Kerr took up the kicking duties, UCD added a late consolation try, Gus McCarthy with the score and Moloney converted.
City of Armagh 29-21 Young Munster, Palace Grounds
City of Armagh jumped off the bottom two places in the table as they produced a sparkling bonus point performance over Young Munster.
The Ulstermen starting strongest, Matthew Hooks with a quickfire double and a conversion from Sam Cunningham had the hosts 12-0 ahead after five minutes. With 20 minutes on the clock Young Munster hit back, Stephen McLoughlin with a try converted by Cian Casey to cut the gap to five.
Six minutes later Armagh saw yellow and The Cookies had a penalty try awarded to take the lead. Just after the half hour mark, the hosts were back ahead, Cunningham powering over for their third try which he made no mistake in converting, minutes later the bonus try arrived Andrew Willis crossing and Cunningham made the lead 26-14 at the break.
Munsters fought back in the second half, Shay McCarthy dotting down their third try, Casey converting and with five between them, they kept fighting until the end. Armagh would seal the win as Brayden Laing struck a penalty between the uprights.
Cork Constitution 27-26 Clontarf, Temple Hill
James Taylor landed a late penalty to give Cork Con a dramatic win over Clontarf in a real battle of attrition in Temple Hill.
Con took the lead with Jack Kelleher crossing the whitewash for an unconverted try, their lead doubled minutes later with Rob Jermyn for a 10-0 scoreline. Conor Kelly cut the deficit for the visitors with a penalty, James Taylor replied at the other end to cancel it out. Kelly did add a second shy of the break to leave the score 13-6 at the interval.
Kelly again struck gold from the tee early in the second period to close the gap yet again, Con did hit a try in response as Ronan O’Sullivan went over. Tarf sprung to life and tries from JJ O’Dea and Hugh Cooney converted by Kelly gave the visitors the lead 23-21.
It was a cracking and nerve wracking finish to proceedings at the Cork venue, Taylor putting Con back ahead before Kelly struck another penalty to put the Dubliners in the ascension. It would be the day for Taylor and his side, the out-half dissecting the posts with another penalty for the win.
Lansdowne 31-19 Dublin University, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch
Lansdowne recorded win number eight of the season with a hard fight result against Trinity at headquarters.
Tom Barry gave the hosts the ideal start as he powered over early on for a 5-0 lead. From a strong lineout move, Lansdowne soon added their second try, Rory Parata getting over with a hard carry, Stephen Madigan converting for a 12-0 lead. Lansdowne remained on top and added a third when Barry went over for a second try off their 5m lineout. Madigan on hand once again to convert.
A bonus point try arrived minutes later, Sean Galvin racing over in the left corner to put Lansdowne 24-0 ahead as the conversion proved a tricky test. Davy Colbert would add a try following a mixup at the back from Lansdowne, the score 24-5 at the break.
Into the second half following another strong lineout move, Ruairi Clarke added a fifth try for the hosts and Charlie Tector added the conversion. Trinity would end the game in strong fashion, Charlie Beckett and Matthew Lynch with late tries, both of which Lynch converted.
Shannon 5-31 Terenure College, Thomond Park Back Pitch
Shannon dropped into the relegation zones as Terenure came good in the second half to take the spoils on Shannonside.
It was a back and forth opening half and while Nure had to do plenty of late changes due to injuries in the warm up, they would lead 7-0 at the break, Fintan Gunne crossing and Aran Egan struck the conversion.
Nure upped the tempo in the second half, just after the break Harrison Brewer crossed and Egan landed the conversion. Luke Clohessy soon dotted the third and Egan made it 21-0 when he slotted his third conversion attempt of the day. The bonus point soon followed as Nure were on top form, Craig Adams crossing as the conversion missed the mark.
Stephen Kiely went over for the hosts, a score on consolation however as Shannon could not cut the margin any further, Alan Bennie wrapping up the result with a fifth try for the Dubliners near the end of normal time.
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Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.