St Mary’s unbeaten run came to an end late on to Blackrock, Garryowen made up ground in the race for promotion with a stunning comeback win, with Highfield losing ground in the top four dropping to fifth.
Blackrock College 25-24 St. Mary’s College, Stradbrook
A last gasp penalty from James Fennelly saw Blackrock take the Dublin derby bragging rights in Stradbrook as St Mary’s unbeaten run came to an end.
Rock started on top with Brian Colclough getting over for an early try, converted by Fennelly. Mary’s however responded well to going behind as Hugo Conway crossed to reduce arrears but a missed conversion kept Rock ahead. Conway would soon add a second try for the lead and Mick O’Gara dissected the posts for a 12-5 lead.
Fennelly would cut the gap as he landed a penalty, before a penalty try swung momentum the way of Blackrock, to see them lead at the break 17-12. David Heavey furthered the lead for the hosts early on after the restart, with Mary’s looking a little deflated to concede first in the second period.
Mary’s did battle back however, Jack Nelson Murray crossed for their third try before Conway completed his hat trick and both tries converted by Mick O’Gara had Mary’s 24-22 ahead. Fennelly was the coolest man in Stradbrook, he stepped up to strike late on and dissect the posts, a big win for Blackrock to nail down their spot in the top four.
Naas (6T) 36-24 UCC (3T), Forenaughts
Naas strengthened their hopes of making the top four with a strong result against UCC, an entertaining heavyweight clash between the two.
UCC started well and did grab the opening score when Tom Coughlan showed his pace to race in for the opening score, Cian Whooley converted for a 7-0 lead for the visitors after ten minutes. Certainly a battle between these two, as the half wore on UCC did have some more chances but failed to get on the scoreboard. Naas on the other hand hit the break with tries from Charlie Sheridan and Muiris Cleary, Craig Ronaldson converted both inside the final ten minutes of the opening half and the hosts were 14-7 ahead at half time.
Momentum remained with the hosts, three minutes after the restart Sam Cahill added their third try going unconverted and five minutes later Sheridan added his second and the bonus try, Ronaldson with his third conversion and the lead was 26-7. UCC battled back having spent the early parts of the half on the back foot, Peter O’Sullivan and Louis Bruce with tries, Whooley added the extras and it was game back on after 63 minutes, Naas ahead 26-21.
With nine minutes left on the clock Derry Lenehan struck a fifth try for the hosts to attempt to rubber stamp the outcome, Whooley cut the gap again with a penalty to 31-24, Bryan Croke capped off the win with a late try as Naas were on top form in this contest.
Old Wesley 38-17 Highfield, Energia Park
Old Wesley furthered their gap from the drop zones and in turn strengthened their hopes of a play-off place, having produced a strong second half to get past Highfield.
Wesley started strongest with Sam Burns crossing for the opening try and a sideline conversion from Eoin Monahan dissected the posts for a 7-0 score line. Highfield were knocking on the door in search of the reply, they had been held up and with a penalty occurring, they tapped and again could not get over, in the finish they opted wide and Ben Murphy dotted down in the corner, 7-5 as the conversion missed the mark Wesley remained ahead at the break.
Into the second half and Monahan struck a penalty to further the host’s lead on proceedings, the luck of the bounce a short while later aided Wesley to their second try, Will Fay taking the offload all the way over and Ian Cassidy converted for a 17-5 score line. Wesley were taking full control as Ben Stephens added their third try and Cassidy converted to further the Dubliners hold on the contest.
Having boxed Wesley well within their own half, Highfield would find themselves 31-5 behind soon after. Wesley turned defence into attack, getting from inside their own 22m line right within range of the posts and Alex Molloy spotted a gap and raced in for the bonus try. Ryan Murphy ended the drought for Highfield crossing for their second try.
As the half was nearing an end Highfield did add a third try, Richard Cassidy getting over and Shane O’Riordan converted to make it 31-17. Fay would soon add a second try to cap off a big win for Wesley.
Queens University 19-22 Old Belvedere, Dub Lane
Cian Cunningham’s late try combined with Mick O’Kennedy’s conversion ensured Old Belvedere secured the points with a comeback win in Dub Lane and got back to winning ways having lost the week prior.
Kale Thatcher made it the ideal start with an early try converted by O’Kennedy for a 7-0 lead. O’Kennedy made it 10-0 with a penalty a short while later as Belvo looked sharp early on. A penalty try and a try from Scott Wilson turned the game on its head, Ben McFarlane converting the latter as Queens were 14-10 ahead at the break.
Wilson soon added his second when the second half started to test Belvedere, they did not crack however, O’Kennedy added their second try of the contest which he converted, before Cunningham helped ensure the spoils headed down the M1 with the bonus try late on.
Garryowen 33-17 Buccaneers, Dooradoyle
Garryowen made ground in the race for a top four finish but needed a sparkling second half performance to see them come from behind to take the points.
Two tries from James Kelly with the latter converted by Michael Hanley gave Buccs a 12-0 early lead. Colm Quilligan reduced arrears after the half hour mark with a try for the hosts which Jack Oliver converted. The Pirates would strike again before the break, Stephen Mannion with a third try that went unconverted, the lead 17-7 at the interval.
A second half where Garryowen dominated and showed their strengths, Colm Hogan added their second try soon after the restart to cut the arrears, before Donnacha Byrne levelled with their third try and Oliver gave them the lead with the conversion. The bonus point arrived after 68 minutes with Byrne again the man to dot down and Oliver converted for a 26-17 lead. Dylan Hicks capped off the contest with a try late on and Oliver struck his fourth conversion as Garryowen showed their spirit to get back to 1A.
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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.