There were only two games played in Division 1A this weekend. We got one winner and the other was a 10 try thriller and by the end of the 80 minutes a winner couldn’t be decided between either Trinity or Cork Con as they played out a highly entertaining 35-35 draw.
Dublin University 35-35 Cork Constitution, College Park
It was 3rd vs 4th. Both teams knew they needed a victory with Young Munster hot on the heels of the loser in 5th place, making for a very interesting top 4 battle in the second half of the season.
In the 1st half, it was clear that the Cork men had a physical advantage. They dominated the possession for large parts of the opening half, but they couldn’t get their lineout firing which cost them at the key moments.
However, they did score two tries in the half. James Murphy and Mark Stafford crossed the line for the visitors. But, it was the students who led at the break, showing just how dangerous they can be from broken play. Ronan Quinn, Thomas Connolly and top points scorer Aran Egan all getting on the scoresheet. Trinity led 21-14 at the break.
This was a real back and forth encounter, with both teams having purple patches. Five more tries were scored in the second half.
Billy Crowley who is the brother of young international talent Jack Crowley got a try, followed by a well taken score from backrow Murphy for his brace,
James Dillion and Louis O’Reilly scored converted tries to put Tony Smeeth’s charges back into the lead.
But, it was Con who finished the game with a rolling maul try. Their captain Aidan Moynihan was as calm as you like from the kicking tee to make the scores level. It finished a draw. The sides do battle again next week in the reverse fixture.
Ballynahinch 31-25 University College Dublin, Ballymacarn Park
Ballynahinch have kept themselves in the playoff conversation after a strong second half performance saw them beat UCD 31-25.
The Dublin side had a 13-7 advantage at the halftime interval. Even though they were beaten they managed to secure a losing and try bonus point, which could prove crucial later in the season.
Hinch kept themselves in the top 6, still very much in the top 4 conversation. The Ulstermen make the trip down south next week.
