Cashel will host MU Barnhall following results on the final day in the promotion play-off race, while Banbridge secured fourth spot and will meet Queens. Malone were relegated while elsewhere UL Bohemian will head to the relegation play-offs after they suffered defeat to Nenagh.
Cashel (2T) 12-7 Banbridge (1T), Spafield
It was a cagey contest in Spafield with the teams unable to score until the second half, Cashel managed to get the win and secure a home semi-final in the playoffs, while Banbridge will also head for the play-offs.
Both teams found the opening half tough to play in as conditions were horrible in Spafield. 0-0 at the break, the second half proved to be a lot more entertaining as a contest.
Following a kick to touch, Cashel produced a strong maul midway through the second half and after a number of phases, Jamie Ryan dotted down for the crucial score. Jack Evenden made it 7-0 with the conversion. After the hour mark a high tackle brought another penalty for touch and shades of the opening score, the maul was strong and in the end Ryan crossed for his second try.
Unconverted but it gave Cashel some space however Banbridge soon crossed for a converted try and that kept pressure on for the final minutes but Cashel held their ground to take the win.
Greystones (3T) 21-10 Malone (2T), Dr Hickey Park
Greystones are safe. It took a strong fight to get past Malone but they managed it and can again look forward to 2A football next term.
Despite a campaign hindered by injuries they managed to stay up. Starting strong with Craig Kenny and Josh Pyper grabbing tries converted by David Baker. Malone hit back through Matthew Crwother as the gap was 14-5 at the interval.
Conor McAleer added a crucial third try in the second half, it looked like they had gotten over the line despite Jake Daky crossing for the visitors, the result in Limerick confirmed their safety.
MU Barnhall (4T) 26-17 Old Crescent (2T), Parsonstown
Old Crescent were halted on the final day from making a shot at the play-offs, with Banbridge losing it was a double blow to take as Barnhall will have an away semi-final against Cashel.
Ronan McKenna kicked Crescent into the lead after 20 minutes before Abdul Olasoebikan crossed for the opening try, converted by Adam Chester. 7-3 the score at the break.
Barnhall had the momentum and crossed for a second try early in the second half, Sean Sexton crossing in the corner. Shy of the hour mark Crescent grabbed their opening try, Jake Considine going over and McKenna kicked a beauty of a conversion to cut the gap to two points.
Again the Kildare side would strike with James Gorham getting on the end of good phases of play after winning a scrum for a knock on, Chester converted for a 19-10 lead. The Treaty men rallied to get the next score, three minutes left on the clock and John Lyons powered over and McKenna again slotted the kick to trail by two points. It was not to be for the Limerick men, Joshua Boyce Donohue crossing for the bonus try for Barnhall in injury time and the conversion was successful to prevent a losing bonus for the visitors.
Navan (2T) 15-5 Ballymena (1T), Balreask Old
Navan finished the season in fifth spot as they took the spoils of Ballymena on the final day of the season.
A blustery day in Balreask Old but Navan started well as Kyle Dixon crossed after four minutes dotting down under the posts. Mark Farell slotted the extras for a cushion they would fail to surrender in the opening half.
With 18 minutes elapsed in the opening half, Peter McEntagart crossed the whitewash in the left corner for an unconverted try. Farrell slotted a penalty shy of the half hour mark and the lead was 15-0, the same score at the interval.
Conditions continued to worsen in the second half as the rain arrived and this made playing a lot tougher for both teams. Ballymena did grab a score just after the hour mark, a clearance kick was blocked down by Paddy Browne and he dotted down in the corner for an unconverted try. This proved the only score of the second half, Ballymena surviving due to results elsewhere.
UL Bohemian (1T) 16-25 Nenagh Ormond (4T), Annacotty
UL Bohemians were condemned to a relegation play-off for a second year running as they fell to defeat at the hands of Champions Nenagh.
Harry Byrne kicked The Red Robins into an early 6-0 lead off the back of two penalties but Nenagh quickly found their rhythm and spotted space to cross for two tries, Willie Coffey and Derek Corcoran going over, Josh Rowland kicking the conversion for the former and Ormond were ahead 12-6 at the intermission.
Momentum stayed with Nenagh as they grabbed two early tries in the second half to secure the bonus point. John O’Flaherty and Rowland with the tries which went unconverted. Bohs hit back as Liam Neilan crossed from an attacking lineout and Byrne slotted the extras. Byrne did the same with his third penalty, just as it looked like the hosts had summoned a late comeback Rowland grabbed the final score from a penalty and it was disappointment for the hosts in the end.
Promotion/relegation play-off semi-final fixtures: Both 2.30pm kick-offs, Saturday, April 20
Queen’s University (9th, Div 1B) v Banbridge (4th, Div 2A), Dub Lane
Cashel (2nd, Div 2A) v MU Barnhall (3rd, Div 2A), Spafield
Promotion/relegation play-off semi-final fixtures: Both 2.30pm kick-offs, Saturday, April 20
UL Bohemian (9th, Div 2A) v Sligo Rugby (4th, Div 2B), Annacotty
Galway Corinthians (2nd, Div 2B) v Wanderers (3rd, Div 2B), Corinthian Park
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.