Nenagh Ormond are the early 2A pace setters following the weekend’s events, Greystones and Banbridge made bonus point winning starts to life in 2A.
Banbridge (4T) 26-14 Cashel (2T), Rifle Park
Banbrdge started out on the winning front on their first outing since dropping to 2A, a controlled bonus point win on home soil over Cashel.
The hosts were in after five minutes, Robin Sinton dotting in the corner, Adam Doherty converted for a 7-0 scoreline. It took until the half hour mark for the next score but that resulted in the lead being doubled, Doherty getting over and converting his own try, a lead of 14-0 taken to the interval.
James Ryan helped get Cashel on the board after 55 minutes, Ben Twomey converted to leave seven between the sides. Ten minutes later Doherty sniped over for his second try in the corner, the conversion wide of the mark for a 19-7 lead.
Five minutes from time Hermann O’Donoghue crossed the whitewash and Twomey’s conversion left four between them. It made for a grandstand finish but right at the death Zac Solomon snatched the bonus point try and Doherty’s conversion sealed an impressive opening day performance.
Ballymena (3T) 23-29 Navan (4T), Eaton Park
Navan were made to work for their bonus point result in Eaton Park, a solid second half enough to pick up a six point margin away from home on the opening day.
Pierce Crowe missed an early attempt at the posts but a 40m strike split the uprights and Ballymena had an early lead. Two minutes later Navan were in for the games opening try, Sean Walsh crossing close to the posts, full-back Rory Gordon supplied the extra two. Crowe left a margin of one point between the sides with another 40m spectacular as some ill discipline was creeping in.
Shy of half time, captain Adam Lamont was unopposed in crossing for the second Ballymena try, soft hands allowing the skipper to make it 13-6 at the interval following Crowe slotting the extra two. Crowe made it a nine point gap with an early second half penalty, despite a period of dominance, the momentum would soon change.
Harry Hester, Gordon with a try, two conversions and a penalty, along with Sean McEntaggart bundling over for the bonus point, swung the tie in a dominant 20 minute window.
Rodger McBurney scored a consolation try with the last play of the game, Callum Patterson’s conversion near the side-line would prove vital, enough for a losing bonus point for the home side.
Malone (1T) 13-26 (4T) Greystones, Gibson Park
Greystones kept up their impressive recent form as they made a winning splash in 2A, picking up a bonus point triumph in Belfast.
Leading 12-10 at the break, Danny’s Kenny’s side picked up form in the second half to confirm the result. Tries from Conor Pearse, Dave Baker, Ferdia Kenny and Craig Kenny helped the side take a bonus point.
Nenagh Ormond (5T) 39-15 UL Bohemian (2T), New Ormond Park
Nenagh Ormond laid down an early marker in 2A with their dominant 24 point winning margin over Munster neighbours UL Bohemians putting them top of the standings.
Harry Bryne gave UL an early 3-0 lead from the tee, before Charlie O’Doherty got over in the corner for Nenagh, the conversion wide of the mark for a 5-3 lead. Jack O’Riordan replied with a try in the corner, however a Conor McMahon penalty made it 8-8 minutes later.
Kevin O’Flaherty added the second Nenagh try shy of the break with McMahon putting the hosts ahead 15-8 at the interval. McMahon was busy off the tee to start the second stanza, a penalty followed by converting Dylan Murphy’s try had Nenagh 25-8 ahead. McMahon then crossed for his own try, spilling the posts in the follow up to lead 32-8.
Paul Clancy grabbed a consolation second try towards the latter stages of the second half, the hosts wrapping up the tie with Patrick Scully adding the fifth try. Nenagh full value, a statement of intent with just one round under the books.
Old Crescent (2T) 15-10 MU Barnhall (2T), Takumi Park
Tries from Evan Conlon and Jed O’Dwyer helped Old Crescent produce a stunning second half comeback to defeat MU Barnhall on Shannonside on the opening day.
Ronan McKenna kicked the hosts ahead inside the opening five minutes, Barnhall came to life in the final ten minutes of the opening half, two unconverted tries putting them ahead 10-3 at the interval.
Into the second half and it was two debutants who would swing the tie in favour of Old Crescent. 50 minutes in, Evan Conolon raced in for a try, a touchline conversion from McKenna sailed between the uprights. Jed O’Dwyer who played his schools rugby with Crescent College Comprehensive earlier this year scored the second try on the hour mark, Mckenna dragged the conversion wide, the hosts ahead 15-10. The hosts holding firm to keep the result in their favour come the final whistle.
Information on Division 2A can be found 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.