AIL Roundup: Division 2A Round 16

Nenagh Ormond will meet MU Barnhall next weekend as the title race between the two heats up, Old Crescent secured a dramatic win to keep their promotion hopes alive, while Navan moved four clear of the drop zone with a late win at home to Nenagh.

Cashel (2T) 23-10 Greystones (1T), Spafield

Cashel furthered their hopes of making the play-offs as they managed to get the better of Greystones in Spafield.

A cagey opening half saw two Ryan O’Sullivan penalties give the hosts a half time lead as Killiam Marmion also struck a penalty for the visitors.

Cashel kicked on in the second half Tom Tobin crossed to further their lead which O’Sullivan converted and the second try arrived from Jamie Ryan as O’Sullivan struck another two points. Conor Pearse crossed for Greystones converted by Killian Marmion. O’Sullivan also added a penalty in that second half to keep Cashel in control.

MU Barnhall (5T) 27-28 Banbridge (4T), Parsonstown

A late Jack Hart penalty gave Banbridge a big win for their play-off hopes as they won by a single point over title chasers MU Barnhall.

Barnhall started on top as tries from Conor Duggan and Greg Edogun and a conversion by Adam Chester had the hosts 12-0 clear after 15 minutes. Peter Cromie got Banbridge on the board after 20 minutes, Daniel Kilpatrick followed suit with a second try minutes later to cut the gap to 12-10 at the break.

Discipline cost Barnhall at times who would have a host of players travel to the bin, they did start the second half the better Abdul Olaosebikan dotting in the corner. Shy of the hour mark Harte struck three points to cut the gap to four. Just past the hour Barnhall struck their bonus point try as Conor Lacey went over and the conversion put the hosts ahead 22-13.

Four minutes later Harte sniped over the whitewash and converted his own try to cut the gap back to two points. Minutes later it was end to end stuff as Barnhall added their fifth off a grubber kick towards the corner was touched down by Lacey. It went unconverted and just two minutes later Tom Caesar was over in the corner for Banbridge to cut the gap to two points and take a bonus point. Five points would be the tally as Harte kept his composure to land the pivotal penalty and seal a massive win.

Navan (2T) 15-11 Nenagh Ormond (1T), Balreask Old

Navan jumped out of the relegation zone as they left it late to defeat leaders Nenagh as Peter McEntagart crossed in the dying embers for the win.

The Meath outfit started the better and scored an early try following a powerful lineout maul, Navan worked the ball well and found the onrushing Jordan Finney to crash over from close range for the opening try. Scrumhalf Mark Farrell added the extras to give Navan a 7-0 lead over the Tipperary side.

Farrell soon made it a 10-0 lead with a penalty but Nenagh were far from out of the contest. Second row Kevin O’Flaherty managed to cross for their opening try which went unconverted, 10-5 the gap at the break.

Nenagh were really sharp in the second half and put Navan under intense pressure throughout the tie. Navan did defend with their lives to prevent a try but did cough up two penalties which the ever reliable Conor McMahon slotted over to put the leaders ahead for the first time. 

McMahon soon saw a slice of cheese and that proved pivotal to Navan’s win. Numerical advantage allowed Navan space and the McEntagart brothers combined for the winning score. Captain Sean with the key pass and Peter used his pace to run in for the try. Navan climbed to sixth, four points clear of the drop.

Old Crescent (3T) 22-20 Ballymena (2T), Takumi Park

A last minute try by Evan Creavan converted by Ronan McKenna saw Old Crescent remain on course for a spot at the promotion play-offs as they took a dramatic win at home to Ballymena.

Two points ahead now in fourth Old Crescent are looking to push on in these final two games. Pierce Crowne had them behind early on with a penalty before Cathal Monaghan crossed for the opening try after 16 minutes. Shy of the half hour mark McKenna extended the lead to 8-3 following a penalty.

Ballymena finished the half with a flurry. Conor Smith ran in their opening try which Crowe converted for a 10-8 lead. Mena stayed on the offensive and Crowe struck his second penalty to further their lead before they crossed after a powerful scrum to add another seven to the board with Crowe finding the extra two on half time, 20-8 the gap at the break.

While Ballymena finished the opening half in strong fashion, they failed to score in the second period. Old Crescent soon took control. Sean Monaghan with their second try shy of the hour mark and McKenna converted to leave five between the teams. Crescent pushed as the minutes ticked by but Mena held firm, then 11 minutes into stoppage time Creaven dotted down to score a crucial try to level the game. McKenna with the extra two to seal a massive win.

UL Bohemian (2T) 15-17 Malone (2T), Annacotty

UL Bohemian have drifted further away from the promotion play-off places and are  at risk of being in the relegation play-offs as Malone took the points in Annacotty with Matty Rae slotting a penalty at the death for the win.

The Red Robins were on top in the opening half a maul led to their opening try as Padraic Galvin dotted down and Harry Byrne converted the try to put seven points on the board, the same gap remained to the break.

Into the second half and again UL Bohs started well and a beautiful crossfield kick was gathered by Ihechi Oji and he broke the tackle to find Alan Kiely to cross for a second try. Malone would soon get on the board as Daniel Harkin went over and Rae converted to cut the gap to five. 

Malone grabbed the crucial next score to lead, UL caught napping as a missed tackle led to Jacob Edwards crossing and Rae slotted the extras. Byrne put UL Bohs back ahead as time was running out but coughing up a late penalty Rae made no mistake to dissect the uprights.