City of Armagh hung onto top spot as Buccaneers are just one point behind them in the table, elsewhere no positions changed after the results, as Old Belvedere further extended their recent winning streak.
Banbridge 21-26 St Mary’s College, Rifle Park
St Mary’s had to survive a second half comeback from Banbridge to leave Rifle Park with the points.
Ronan Watters, Hugo Conway and Mick McCormack all added opening half tries for the visitors as they were 19-0 ahead at the break, Conor Dean added the bonus point and as Conor Hickey nailed his third conversion attempt they were 26-0 ahead just five minutes into the half.
Josh Cromie began the fightback for the hosts having crossed in the corner after 50 minutes, James Humphreys converted, ten minutes later and Stevie Irvine got in and Humphreys made it 26-14. Max Lytte made it a nervy final ten minutes for the visitors hitting their third try and Humphreys made it a five point game, but Mary’s did enough to stop the mother of all comeback wins.
Highfield 21-23 City of Armagh, Woodleigh Park
City of Armagh remained a point ahead at the top of the table, coming back in the second half a Shea O’Brien penalty seven minutes into injury time secured the win.
Highfield started well and Colin O’Neill got over after five minutes for the opening score, James Taylor making it a seven point advantage off the tee, O’Brien reduced the deficit to four points with a penalty minutes later. Alex Johnston crossed after 15 minutes for the visitors to put them in the lead, but Daragh Fitzgerald crossed in the 18th minute for a 14-10 lead in a dramatic start to proceedings, things calmed down as the hosts went in ahead at the break.
O’Brien slotted another penalty before Evin Crummiecrossed for their second try, and with 54 minutes elapsed the visitors were six points ahead. Back came Highfield, not looking to suffer defeat on their home patch, Ben Murphy got over two minutes later and Taylor landed the conversion for a one point lead. Just as it looked like they did enough to hold out, a penalty conceded in injury time found its way over as the boot of O’Brien proved a huge asset for Armagh.
Naas 34-28 UCC, Forenaughts
Naas edged a tough battle with UCC to further inflict woes on the Cork side as they are four above the bottom two places.
Donal Conroy got over after nine minutes to put Naas 5-0 ahead, Cian Whooley put over a penalty to rescue the deficit to two points, but Naas stayed level headed and after 28 minutes Charlie Sheridan got over, Craig Ronaldson added the extras for a 12-3 lead at the break.
UCC through Whooley got the opening score of the second half with a penalty, before Conroy grabbed his second try in the 49th minute as Ronaldson converted. The Cork side hit back and an unconverted try minutes later from Sean Condon saw them trail by eight. Naas never dropped the heads having conceded and Connor Halpenny secured the bonus point in the 55th minute, Naas ahead 26-11.
Jason Aherne was next to get over for UCC and Whooley added the extras before he slotted a penalty to make it a five point game, Bryan Croke swung the advantage in favour of the hosts as he got over after 71 minutes, before Fionn Higgins wrapped it up three minutes from time, Patrick McBarron scored the third UCC try in injury time as they secured a losing bonus point.
Old Wesley 31-35 Old Belvedere, Energia Park
Old Belvedere kept up their incredible winning streak battling late on to ensure victory over Old Wesley.
Ian Cassidy put Wesley on the board first with a penalty, Luke McDermott would get over after 12 minutes to put the visitors ahead 7-3. Tommy O’Callaghan and Howard Noonan both got over for Wesley ahead 17-7 after 24 minutes.
Eoin Monahan further their lead with another try as the hosts now 24-7 to the good by the half hour mark, a penalty try would give Belvo some hopes with four minutes left that they could come back into it, then a hammer blow just as the half was ending Jayden Beckett went over and Belvedere trailed by three at the break.
Calum Dowling kick started Belvo’s impressive second half display, Peter O’Beirne crossed minutes later and the visitors were ahead 35-31. Eoin Deegan pulled at the heart strings late on as his try set up a nervy finish but Belvedere stood tall.
Buccaneers 27-24 Malone, Dubarry Park
Buccaneers had to survive a late Malone fightback to take the points in Dubarry Park at the weekend.
Leading by 20-11 at the break, they edged a tight second half as Ross Murphy Sweeney and Saul O’Carroll crossed while Michael Hanley added two penalties and two conversions, David McMaster crossed for the visitors while two Rory Campbell penalties kept them in the tie.
Campbell added his third penalty of the afternoon and with Sam Green getting a try they trailed by one point, Ryan O’Meara proved crucial as his try converted by Hanley ensured the win as late on Green added a third enough for a losing bonus point.
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.