After Nenagh dropped points on the road to Naas, Old Belvedere have an increased lead at the summit in Division 1B of the Energia All Ireland League. A strong second half from UCC saw them defeat Blackrock and cut the gap to top four down to a single point. Queen’s and Naas both moved up the table with impressive wins.
Dublin University 12-27 Old Wesley, College Park
Old Wesley continued their push for a shot at promotion, with a strong showing on the road in the Dublin derby against Trinity. The hosts had a mountain to climb in the opening half, and despite giving it their all, the result moved them down to eight in the table.
For large parts of the first half it was cagey between the two, Ian Cassidy slotted a penalty that was the main difference between the two. Wesley did hit a purple patch however, Paidi Farrell, Alex Molloy and Andrew Doyle all crossed for tries, with Cassidy converting two for a 22-0 lead. Dylan Ryan bagged a try for the hosts soon after, with Matthew Lynch converting, making it 22-7 at the break.
Into the second half it remained close between the two, but Wesley grabbed that all important first score to pick up the bonus point. Eoin Murphy going over for try number four that again went unconverted. Trinity failed to give up throughout and were rewarded with a second try as Zach Baird dotted down.
Naas 27-21 Nenagh Ormond, Forenaughts
A first win in five games for Naas, as they ended a recent spell of bad form with a strong performance against Nenagh. Maybe an upset of sorts, but you cannot fault Naas for a clinical showing, holding off a spirited fightback from the visitors in the process.
Naas started brightly, with Aidan O’Kane diving over in the fifth minute, converted by Bryan Croke. They added to their lead when Paddy Taylor crossed in the 22nd minute, with Croke adding the extras. Nenagh Ormond’s only response in the opening half was a penalty from Charlie O’Doherty, leaving the hosts 14-3 ahead at the break.
Nenagh Ormond came out strongly after halftime, with O’Doherty’s accurate boot narrowing the deficit to 14-6 early in the second period. However, Naas responded decisively, with Michal Haznar and Darragh Murphy scoring quickfire tries to extend the lead to 24-11
Refusing to capitulate, Nenagh fought back as Dylan Murphy crossed the whitewash in the 50th minute, and despite that try sandwiched between two for the hosts, a try and conversion from the influential O’Doherty in the 60th minute, had them six points behind. A penalty from Peter Osborne for Naas kept Nenagh at arm’s length just past the hour mark, and despite a further O’Doherty penalty in the 73rd minute Nenagh fell just short.
Queen’s University 52-26 Highfield, Dub Lane
Queen’s climbed up to six place in the table with a commanding performance at home to relegation threatened Highfield. The hosts were well on top 28-7 at the break and continued to up the tempo in the second half.
Hat tricks from Josh Stevens and Lorcan McLoughlin, served as two big catalysts for the home side, while Wilhelm de Klerk and Ryan Street also chipped in with tries. Ben McFarlane slotted six conversions in the end.
Liam McCarthy grabbed the only try of the opening half for Highfield, and while they were on the back foot, they failed to give up and left with what could be a crucial try scoring bonus point. Travis Coomey, Miah Cronin and Mark Dorgan all crossed for tries in the second stanza, while Shane O’Riordan landed three conversions in the tie.
Shannon 22-24 Old Belvedere, Thomond Park Back Pitch
Old Belvo had to weather a late storm away to Shannon to take the points in a dramatic tie in Thomond Park. Shannon had a spirited second half fightback inspired by Oisin Mingoue, but time just ran out in the end.
Jamie Gavin kicked Shannon into an early lead, however the concession of a penalty try shifted momentum in favour of Belvedere for the remainder of the half. Andre Ryan and Joe White crossed for tries to put the visitors ahead 17-3 at the break.
Last year Oisin Minogue began the year lining out for St Munchin’s in the Munster Schools Senior Cup, in 2025 he had an afternoon to remember with three tries in the second half igniting a big Shannon comeback.
Minogue comes from good stock, son to Rosie Foley and nephew to Axel. Two minutes into the second half he grabbed the first of his tries, with Gavin converting to close the gap to seven. Five minutes later he was over again and Gavin levelled the tie with his second conversion.
Belvo were on the back foot and needed to settle into the second half. They got that when Fionn McWey crossed for their bonus point try and Johnny Kiely kicked their first conversion of the afternoon to put the visitors back ahead 24-17, with 54 minutes on the clock.
Shannon battled hard to draw level and when Minogue crossed for his hat trick, it looked like they were about to snatch some points, but the conversion drew just wide. With time running out they failed to conjure up a decisive score as Belvo held on.
UCC 26-17 Blackrock College, The Mardyke
It was a dramatic end to proceedings in The Mardyke, despite a late try from Barry Galvin, Sean Condon ensured no late turn around as UCC sit just a point behind Rock in the race for top four.
UCC opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Sean Condon powered over the line, converted by Harry Murphy for an early 7-0 lead. Blackrock responded through Patrick Cowhey’s 22nd-minute try, converted by Conor O’Shaughnessy, who added a penalty in the 28th minute to edge the visitors ahead 10-7.
After trailing narrowly at the break, UCC took control in the second half. Peter Hyland scored twice in quick succession, crossing in the 45th and 57th minutes, with Harry Murphy converting both to restore the home side’s advantage at 21-10.
Blackrock mounted a late challenge as Barry Galvin crossed in the 79th minute, converted by O’Shaughnessy, narrowing the gap to 21-17. However, UCC sealed the result in stoppage time, with Sean Condon completing his brace to bring the final score to 26-17.