St Mary’s produced a stunning comeback win as a sensational Conor Dean Drop Goal saw them overcome Old Belvedere, in the other top four contest Garryowen triumphed over Blackrock. The promotion race is heating up as the gap from fourth to seventh is just a single point.
Blackrock College (3T) 17-20 Garryowen (3T), Stradbrook
Garryowen knocked Blackrock out of the top four and moved to third spot as a late Jack Oliver penalty prevented an incredible Blackrock comeback.
It was all Garryowen for the opening 40 minutes in Stradbrook, JJ O’Neill crossed for an early unconverted try, while Jeronimo Ureta Saenz Pena added the second of the afternoon for the Limerick men and Oliver converted for a 12-0 lead after 12 minutes. O’Neill added his second try shy of the break and Garryowen were 17-0 ahead at the interval.
Whatever was said at the break inspired Blackrock to come right back in the tie, tries from Niall Hardiman, James Burke, Chris Rolland along with a conversion from James Fennelly had the game level just after the hour mark. With just two minutes remaining Oliver proved the difference with a strong penalty dissecting the posts for the win.
Buccaneers (2T) 15-21 Naas (3T), Dubarry Park
Naas produced a strong result on the road against Buccs to keep their fight for promotion alive.
Buccs would strike first Josh O’Connor running in for a unconverted try after 14 minutes, Naas were fighting all half to get a score and shy of the half hour mark Conor Doyle was the man to cross for the visitors and Sam Cahill slotted the conversion between the uprights for the lead, 7-5 as the teams broke for the interval.
Michael Hanley restored the Midlanders lead from a penalty early in the second half, nine minutes later Naas were in again. Muiris Cleary went over from close range and Cahull converted for a 14-8 lead. With 56 minutes elapsed Naas hit a third try, Davey Benn going over and Cahill kept the momentum going with his third conversion. Buccs kept pressing and did score again late on, Cian McCann crossing with Hanley converting just time not on their side to force a late comeback.
Highfield (3T) 22-19 Queens University (3T), Woodleigh Park
Shane Buckley landed a late penalty to give Highfield the win in Woodleigh Park as Queens fought from 19-7 down to almost take something from the contest.
With five minutes gone it was Queens that notched the first score of the day, Eamonn Rogers going over and Ben McFarlane converted. Highfield replied four minutes later, Ross O’Neill with an unconverted try to cut the gap to two points. Ryan Murphy would give the hosts the lead with 13 minutes gone, his try converted by Buckley enough for a five point cushion. Shy of the half hour mark Highfield were in again as Mark Dorgan crossed the whitewash, unconverted the score put a 19-7 gap on the scoreboard at the break.
Queens came out the better early in the second half and would score their second try with 52 minutes gone, Ben Gibson going over and the conversion from McFarlane closing the Ulstermen to within five points of the hosts. With six minutes left in the contest Jonny Hunter made it a dramatic conclusion to proceedings as he went over to level the contest with the third Queens try. The concession of a penalty would haunt Queens, Buckley sending it over and the Queens losing run continued.
Old Belvedere (5T) 33-35 St Mary’s College (4T), Ollie Campbell Park
A sensational drop goal by Conor Dean completed a stunning comeback win for St Mary’s, who trailed 33-11 at the interval.
Belvo hit the ground running when Jayden Beckett went over and Mick O’Kennedy ensured an early 7-0 lead. Ben Taylor crossed for Mary’s but the conversion missed the mark, however two penalties from Mick O’Gara did put St Mary’s ahead a short while later. Belvedere finished the half however with a flurry of tries, Fionn McWey, Ariel Robles, Cian Cunningham and Tom Mulcair all crossing, O’Kennedy with three conversions and the hosts were well on top going to the intermission in Ollie Campbell Park.
Mary’s were not dead and buried just yet. Conor Hayes crossed to kickstart their comeback. O’Gara converted and then crossed for his own try minutes later which he in turn converted as the deficit was slowly decreasing. The game was brought to a stalemate when Mark Fogarty crossed for Mary’s bonus point and O’Gara slotted the conversion. Then right at the death Dean took possession and popped over an outrageous drop goal outside the 22 to seal the win.
UCC (1T) 10-35 Old Wesley (5T), The Mardyke,
Wesley joined the promotion dogfight in 1B as they were bonus point winners with a strong showing over UCC on Leeside.
Cian Whooley struck an early penalty to put UCC in front but Wesley would control the opening half in The Markdyke. Eoin Deegan powered his way over from close range to get Wesely on the board with their first try as Eoin Monohan made it a full seven point haul. On the stroke of half time, Cronan Gleeson went over following an offload from a tap go penalty, 14-3 the interval lead as Monohan struck another penalty.
Ben Stephens started the second half strongly for the Dubliners as he added their third try and Monahan converted his third conversion kick of the day for a 21-3 lead. UCC would get back on the board as Sean Edogbo went over and Whooley added the extra two. Wesley finished the game off in fine fashion to add their bonus point, Alex Molloy and Eoin Murphy going over and on cap 101 Ian Cassidy slotted over both conversions.
More Info on Division 1B here.
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.