Terenure College, Clontarf and Dublin University all maintained their 100% winning start to the campaign with Lansdowne finally getting a win on the road in Limerick.
Dublin University 35-16 Ballynahinch, College Park
Trinity had to work very hard to make it four wins from their opening four games. Ballynahinch made it difficult for their opponents, leading by thirteen points at one stage in the first half.
11 points from the boot of Greg Hutley and a try scored by number 8 Jamie Macartney after a well worked maul gave Hinch the lead at the halftime break.
Trinity finished the half strong. Max Dunne edged over the line for his third try of the season, thanks to the support of his hooker Mark Nicholson. James Dillon got their second after a great initial break from centre Louis McDonagh. It was 16-15 at the break.
The students went up a gear in the second half, scoring three more tries. Wingers Ronan Quinn and Dillion getting a try each. It wasn’t a performance that we have become use to seeing from them, but Tony Smeeth’s men got the job done, securing an important bonus point in the process.
Clontarf 27-9 Shannon, Castle Avenue
Clontarf have a great habit of winning, it’s been nearly 20 league games since they last were beaten in the league, an astonishing winning streak that shows how dominant they’ve been in the last 12 months.
Shannon who are still looking for their first win since returning to the division had a 9-3 advantage at the interval. Out half Mike Cooke kicking three penalties.
But it was Andy Wood’s men’s quality that shone through in the second half. The experienced Mick Kearney got over from close range and Cormac Daly, arguably their most consistent performer, scored a brace of his own. Leinster’s Ben Murphy came off the bench to score on his return to the club after spending last season with Old Wesley.
The bonus point firmly in the bag, Can anyone stop this team?
Terenure College 58-5 University College Dublin, Lakelands Park
Terenure College put University College Dublin to the sword in Lakelands for the second consecutive season. They have put 118 points on them in their last two visits to the D6 ground.
Sean Skehan will be delighted with their start to the season. They have picked up all the points available so far. Forwards Jordan Coghlan and Sean McNulty got over the whitewash twice for Nure, while captain Harrison Brewer, Adam La Grue, Caolan Dooley, Craig Adams and Luke Clohessy also added their names to the score sheet in another flawless performance.
Gerry Hill scored the only try for the students, who haven’t yet found a win. It was another day to forget for them.
Young Munster 13-20 Lansdowne, Tom Clifford Park
Lansdowne are finally up and running, getting the first victory of their campaign.
They were 10-0 up at the break, thanks to a good try from fullback Michael Sylvester adding to an earlier Peter Hastie penalty.
The cookies levelled the game in the second half, Dan Walsh touching down a converted try. Winger Conor Hayes kicked a penalty to make it all square.
However, the Dublin side scored ten unanswered point to take back the lead, tighthead Temi Lasisi scoring the much-needed try.
Hayes kicked a late 40 metre penalty to get Munsters the losing bonus point.
Cork Constitution 33-16 Garryowen, Temple Hill
Johnny Holland’s Cork Con have put themselves into the top four after a convincing second half performance to beat Munster rivals Garryowen on Saturday
Max Abbott, Alessandro Heaney, Daniel Hurley and Billy Scannell all got tries in the game for the cork men, along with a penalty try as well.
J O’Neill and Tommy O’Hora scored for the visitors. Like UCD and Shannon they are still in the search for their first win of the season.
