Clontarf took control of 1A leading by a single point over Terenure, Lansdowne claimed a scalp over Cork Con, while Trinity moved further down the table.
Clontarf 27-24 Young Munster, Castle Avenue
Clontarf have jumped into top spot after an early second half comeback helped them overcome the Cookies.
Young Muster started much the better, Stephen Lyons got the games opening try before Shay McCarthy got their second, Evan Cusack adding one from two conversions for a 12-0 lead. Cian O’Donoghue got Tarf on the board after finishing a move that started from their own half.
One quality try was added to by another as Tadhg Bird scored a 50m wonder try to leave just two between them at the break. Noah Sheridan added their third after the break for an ideal start for the hosts, before Matt Darcy added the bonus point.
Con kelly landed a penalty to put Tarf 27-12 ahead, a late surge from the Shannonsiders saw Jack Lyons and Conor Hayes both cross for tries, they had the bonus point but looked to snatch a win, however a colossal shift by the Clontarf defence saw them hold firm.
Lansdowne 25-19 Cork Constitution, Aviva Back Pitch
In a highly entertaining contest in Donnybrook, Lansdowne secured their fifth win of the season handing just a third defeat of the year to Cork Con.
Peter O’Sullivan kick started Lansdowne’s early control of the tie after he crossed for the opening try, Stephen Madigan missed the conversion but a penalty minutes later gave them eight points ahead. Michael Silvester added a second minutes later before Con got on the board George Coomber going over after 20 minutes.
Con had a penalty try awarded on the stroke of half time and with it just a point separated the sides at the break 13-12. Tom Monaghan and Silvester both added tries after the restart to see the hosts pick up a bonus point and move 25-12 clear. James Murphy added a late consolation try and the conversion by Aidan Moynihan was enough for a losing bonus point for the Cork side.
Ballynahinch 10-8 Terenure College, Ballymacarn Park,
Ballynahinch produced a second half comeback to knock Terenure off top spot, while they climbed to fifth.
Nure had an ideal first half, low scoring but a try from Craig Adams and a penalty by Callum Smith had them 8-0 ahead. Greg Hutley landed a penalty that began the Hinch fightback but on 65 minutes Mark Best got over for their try and Hutley’s conversion as enough to seal the win.
Shannon 43-17 Trinity, Thomond Park
Shannon have inflicted further woes on Trinity as they now sit sixth in the table having occupied inside the top four.
Trinity were first on the board as Jack Kearney crossed after 17 minutes for an unconverted try, Lee Nicholas was held up over the line in the 22nd minute, but the number 8 got over for their opening score after 37 minutes to level, Jordan Prenderville added a second before the break for a five point lead for the hosts.
The second half went the way of the hosts as they came to life, John O’Sullivan and Dan Hurley added further tries for a 22-5 lead, after the hour mark Trinity replied as Aran Egan converted his try to make it 22-12 but Shannon looked to have instantly replied but the score was pulled back.
Prednerville added his second as we went into the final ten minutes, Daniel Okeke added another right at the death and Preednerville looked to have gotten his third but the referee awarded a penalty try instead. Trinity snatched a late consolation through Bart Vermeulen.
UCD 52-12 Garryowen, Belfield Bowl
UCD have put two points between them and Shannon after a massive win over Garryowen in Belfield.
The students looked full value in the tie, racing to a 26-0 lead by the break they never looked like squandering the advantage, Sean Rennison and Neil Cronin added second half tries for Garryowen, but the UCD attack was too potent crossing for eight tries in the finish, Gerry Hill, Evin Coyle, Harry Donnelly, Ryan McMahon, Alex O’Grady, Ben Brownlee and a brace for Sean O’Brien giving them a big much needed win.
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.