Despite their second loss of the season occurring in dramatic fashion at the weekend, Nenagh now have a ten point lead at the summit. Banbridge who defeated the Tipp side moved to fourth as UL Bohemian dropped to sixth with defeat as Old Crescent also kept their promotion hopes alive. Greystones at the foot of the table strengthened their hopes of safety.
Ballymena (5T) 34-31 UL Bohemian (4T), Eaton Park
Ballymena produced an incredible second half turnaround to overcome UL Bohemians, trailing 24-5 at the break, Sam Millar’s late penalty capped off savage workrate to turn the game on its head in that second period.
It was all UL Bohemian in the early period of the game, tries from Liam Neilan and Jay Traynor converted by Harry Byrne gave the visitors a 14-0 lead after 15 minutes. Byrne added a penalty to further the lead, Ballymena did hit back as Rhys Ervine powered over to get Ballymena on the board. Ihechi Oji capitalised on the ball becoming loose from a tackle in the Ballymena 22 racing into the corner for the score, the Red Robins 24-5 ahead at the interval.
Whatever was said at the break really kicked Ballymena into a different gear, Curtis Henry crossing for two tries which Millar converted. A comeback completed minutes later as Mark Lamont added a bonus try for the hosts, Millar making it 24-24 from the tee. Oji added his second with quarter of an hour left and Byrne ensured the visitors were seven ahead.
Callum Patterson responded with a try for Mena, Millar accurate to level matters once again. Millar would again be asked to take a strike from the tee, a penalty that would seal the game, the kick a big result for Ballymena, he was well deserved of some MiWadi that evening.
Banbridge (6T) 42-40 Nenagh Ormond (6T), Rifle Park
It was a sensational comeback from Banbridge that saw the Ulsterside take the points and move to fourth in the standings as a result. Nenagh almost stole the win with a drop goal that drifted wide of the posts.
With five minutes gone Banbridge took the lead as Justin Burns went over and Jack Hart added the extras. A penalty try saw Nenagh draw level, they soon would take advantage as tries from Josh Rowland and David Gleeson converted by McMahon saw the visitors 21-7 ahead by the 20 minute mark. John Healy soon added the bonus point try and with McMahon converting Nenagh were 28-7 ahead at the break.
With the second half underway Nenagh were awarded another penalty try to further their lead in the contest. Five minutes later Tyler Ford crossed to reduce arrears Jack Hart converted for a 35-14 deficit. Nenagh did hit back on the hour mark as Gleeson went over for his second try, this one going unconverted.
Banbridge began their comeback after 67 minutes, Adam Doherty crossing for their third try which Hart converted. Inside the final ten minutes, Matthew Laird and Peter Cromie added tries, the bonus was secured but after Hart kicked two conversions the deficit with 73 minutes on the clock was five points. Momentum was with Banbridge and they stuck while the iron was still hot, Rob Lyttle crossing in the corner, the pressure on Hart’s shoulders he converted for the win. Sensational scenes in Rifle Park.
Cashel (2T) 12-21 MU Barnhall (2T), Spafield
MU Barnhall produced a strong second half performance to get past 14 man Cashel in Spafield, strengthening their hopes of a top four finish.
Cashel would lead 7-6 in the early exchanges of the contest, Kevin O’Sullivan crossing for the Tipp side with the try converted by Ben Twomey. Barnhall were ahead prior to that with two Adam Chester penalties the difference.
With both sides reduced to 14 men with red cards, it made for a more testing contest, Chester kicked another penalty to restore the lead for the Kildare men, despite that Mikey Wilson crossed for a second try for the hosts and the lead at the break was 12-9.
Barnhall would regain the lead as Sean Sexton went over for their opening try, Chester converting for a four point lead. Both sides pressed in the final minutes to get that all important score and it came from Chester, the out-half crossing the whitewash to seal the result away from home.
Greystones (3T) 27-26 Navan (4T), Dr Hickey Park
A late try from Jamie Mulhern converted by KIllian Marmion gave Greystones a sensational late win on home soil, the Wicklow side now four clear of the drop zone.
Greystones did take the lead after nine minutes, Killian Marmion accurate as ever from the tee. Navan would reply in the 21st minute as Sean McEntagart powered under the posts and Rory Gorden made it a 7-3 lead with the conversion.
No sooner had Navan scored, Greystones were in for their own try. Conor McAleer touched down to the left of the posts, Marmion converting and the Wicklow side were 10-7 ahead. Back came Navan and shy of the half hour mark Paddy Fox crossed and on this occasion the conversion went wide, Navan ahead by two points, 12-10. The score as the teams broke for the interval.
Two minutes into the second half Golden was over in the right corner and converting his own try the Navan lead was nine points. Marmion reduced arrears with a penalty, however on the hour mark Navan got their bonus point try as Golden again over in the right corner grabbed his second and converted for a 26-13 lead.
Four minutes later Greystones started their comeback, McAleer with his second try of the afternoon, converted by Marmion to leave six between them. Stones threw everything at Navan as the minutes ticked by to full time, after phase after phase, the pressure told and over went Mulhern for the crucial try under the posts, converted by Marmion.
Malone (4T) 22-23 Old Crescent (3T), Gibson Park
Old Crescent had to endure a nervy end as a missed conversion in stoppage time saw the Limerick men take the points by the narrowest of margins.
Crescent started well with Ronan McKenna slotting a penalty after seven minutes for the lead. Ten minutes later Sean Donnarumma went over from a driving maul and McKenna converted for a 10-0 advantage.
Malone hit back as Nathan Brown found a gap and crossed the whitewash, the conversion wide of the mark as Crescent remained ahead by five. That lead would increase minutes later after a series of penalties a catch and drive from Darragh O’Brien gave Crescent their second try, McKenna seeing his conversion smack the upright. Andy Bryans shy of the interval dotted down for Malone in the corner, the conversion wide as Old Crescent remained ahead 15-10 at the interval.
Into the second half and McKenna put the afterburners on to break from half way and made almost 30 metres before offloading to Jack O’Mahony to glide over for their third try, McKeanna did miss the conversion. It took until the 67th minute for the next score, a crucial one for Malone. Dave Caves dotting down after a series of phases, his try converted by Connor Spence.
McKenna punished an offside by Malone inside their 22m line as he struck the resulting penalty for a 23-17 lead after 72 minutes. With ten minutes of stoppage time elapsed Malone did strike as Mark Galvin went over and the missed conversion saw utter heartbreak for Malone.
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.