Garryowen and Highfield both gained ground as the promotion battle rages on in 1B, at the bottom end UCC secured two vital bonus points that may keep them up. Buccaneers will end the season in the relegation zone as they are at risk of finishing bottom.
Blackrock College (3T) 21-17 Old Belvedere (2T), Stradbrook
Blackrock produced a stunning second half comeback to overcome Dublin neighbours Old Belvedere keeping them in the race for promotion but they remain sixth following other results.
Belvedere controlled the opening half leading 17-7 at the intermission. Calum Dowling added an early try which David Wilkinson converted. Rock hit back through Niall Hardiman going over and James Fennelly converted to level matters. Belvo finished the half in strong fashion, Fionn McWey added a second try and the conversion and a prior penalty from Wilkinson saw the gap stretch to ten.
Belvo would be scoreless in the second half as Blackrock took control. Matthew Dwan and David Heavey both crossed the whitewash for the hosts, Fennelly with two more conversions as Rock still have the chance to go up in these final weeks.
Buccaneers (1T) 7-24 Highfield (4T), Dubarry Park
A blistering opening half performance saw Highfield move back into the play-off places as they confirmed Buccaneers finish in the relegation zone.
Buccs drew first blood when out-half Mark Earle scampered his way over having carved a way through the Highfield rearguard, converting his own try in the process. Highfield would take control as the half wore on. Jamie Shanahan and Richard Cassidy brace of tries with Shane O’Riordan converting two, had the Cork side ahead 19-7 by the interval.
Highfield coasted home to the win in the second half, Ross Anthony O’Neill with the bonus point try. Buccs need two bonus point wins in their final two games and a big turnaround in points doubled by Queens losing their next two to avoid automatic relegation.
Garryowen (8T) 55-26 Queens (4T) University, Dooradoyle
Garryowen moved up to third place with a strong performance at home to Queens running in eight tries to keep them in the hunt for a play-off spot.
The Shannonsiders were at their sparkling best as they were equally strong in both halves. Oisin Kearney struck an opening try for Garryowen which Jack Oliver converted. Queens went over as Jonny Hunter crossed in reply with James Humphreys converting.
Garryowen were swift to reply as Max Clein added their second try which Kelvin Langan converted. Again Queens hit back and levelled the contest, Jack Boal with the try Robbie Johnston converting in a pulsating opening twenty minutes the game was tied 14-14.
Shy of the half hour mark Garryowen again nudged ahead Bryan Fitzgerald going over and Langan added the extra points on offer. The Dooradoyle faithful added a bonus try before the break with Colm Quilligan crossing and Langan furthered the gap with the conversion, a penalty followed by the outhalf to see Garryowen lead 31-14 at the break.
Garryowen kept pressing in the second half, grabbing the opening score when Neil Cronin crossed for an unconverted try. Matthew Miller grabbed a much needed try for Queens to cut the deficit by five points but Garryowen kept on the attack.
Quilligan would add his second try while Colm Hogan and Mikey Veale also grabbed tries as the half was coming to a conclusion. Langan with two further conversions, Angus Christie crossed late on to see Queens leave with a scoring bonus point, he would also convert the try.
Naas (2T) 20-39 Old Wesley (5T), Forenaughts
Old Wesley look in good shape to confirm their play-off place in the coming weeks as they produced a strong final quarter of an hour surge to defeat Naas.
Four tries in a pulsating finish saw Wesley continue their hot streak as Naas are six points clear of the drop zone. Ian Cassidy kicked Wesley ahead with a penalty, Naas did reply in strong fashion as James O’Loughlin powered over and Craig Ronaldson converted for a 7-3 lead.
Wesley were penalised close to goal after the half hour mark and Ronaldson struck the resulting penalty to further the hosts lead. Wesley hit back right at the death, Howard Noonan with the try and Cassidy levelled the game at the break.
Cassidy landed the opening score of the second half again from the tee as Wesley started on top. Naas were strong in defence to keep Wesley limited early on. Ronaldson replied from the tee to level matters and when Eoinm Deegan went to the bin for Wesley numerical advantage allowed Fionn Higgins to exploit space and cross in the corner. Ronaldson with a beauty of a conversion for the seven point margin to return.
Wesley were not dead and buried. Inside the final 15 minutes they would score 26 points to take the win. A penalty inside the Naas 22 was tapped and the resulting set piece saw Cronan Gleeson burst through a narrow gap in the Naas defence. Cassidy converted and just minutes later Eoin Deegan crossed in the corner for their third try. Cassidy with the extras and Wesley turned things around to lead 27-20.
Wesley gathered the restart and went back on the charge and as they made up ground, the ball went to the left wing and Nathan Randles dotted down in the corner and Cassidy was unphased to strike his fourth conversion, bonus point achieved. Eoin Murphy added the fourth try in that purple patch, unconverted but enough to keep Wesely comfortable in those final minutes.
UCC (4T) 26-31 St Mary’s College (5T), The Mardyke
A last minute try by Sean Edogbo could have saved UCC from the threat of relegation as they took two huge bonus points from a home defeat to 1B winners St Mary’s.
UCC drew first blood when Tom Coughlan crossed for the opening try and Cian Whooley converted for an early 7-0 buffer. Peter Ford crossed to put five on the board for the Mary’s but at the other end Jack O’Sullivan steamrolled under the posts to give UCC a second try and Whooley had the score reading 14-5. Mary’s grabbed a second try prior to half time Conor Hayes under the sticks, Mick O’Gara converted for a 14-12 game at the break.
Mary’s started the second half in strong fashion, Hayes over for his second with Adam McEvoy and Mark Fogarty also crossing, the bonus point secured and two further O’Gara conversions made it 31-14.
UCC kept their heads up and soon were rewarded with a third try as Coughlan went over in the corner, Whooley making it a ten point game with the conversion. College kept pressing in those final minutes and Edogbo would find the space in the final play of the game to score. UCC are six points clear of the drop zone and a win over bottom placed Buccaneers this weekend would confirm their safety.
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.