Nenagh Ormond kept their early unbeaten record alive with a Munster Derby win against Old Crescent, Cashel and UL Bohemian remain in hot pursuit, while another high scoring result for MU Barnhall moves them fourth.
Cashel (1T) 19-13 Ballymena (1T), Spafield
Cashel survived a late comeback from Ballymena to remain second in the 2A standings.
A cagey opening half where both kickers for the respective teams were busy aiming for the posts. Ben Twomey put Cashel ahead but Calllum Patterson was also accurate from the tee to level matters, Twomey added two more to Patterson’s one as the lead was hard fought for in the opening half. 9-6 at the break.
Brendan Crosse crossed for an early try for the hosts to kick start the second half and the conversion pushed the hosts 16-6 clear. Following James Howe getting a slice of cheese Twomey added his fifth kick of the afternoon, a fourth penalty to further a hold on the tie.
Despite Ballymena down to 13 men with Patterson also enjoying a snack in the sin bin, they continued to fight back and restored to a full 15 charged over for their only try in the contest, cutting the gap to six and taking a valuable losing bonus point back with them.
MU Barnhall (7T) 54-25 Malone (5T), Parsonstown
MU Barnahll produced yet another high scoring performance over Ulster opposition to move fourth in the standings.
It was a dominant performance from the Blue Bulls in truth, tries from Sean Sexton, Rob Holt, Sean Higgins, Conor Lacey, Davinn Quinn and a brace from Cathal Duff put the hosts 54-0 up by the end of the contest.
Malone soon responded late in the contest Dave Cave, David McMaster, Zac Devine and a Ben Haliday brace enough to give them a try scoring bonus point, their first point of the 23-24 campaign.
Navan (2T) 14-22 Banbridge (3T), Balreask Old
After consecutive defeats in recent weeks, Banbridge secured a much needed win over Navan on Saturday.
Tries on the 20 minute mark from Jack Hart providing the build up for Pete Cromie to finish, converted by Adam Doherty and Cromie bagging a brace in the 35th minute gave the Ulster side a 12-0 lead by the interval.
Evan Dixon was in under the posts five minutes into the second half to bring Navan back into the contest, 12-7 following Mark Farrell converting. Doherty replied with a penalty to move eight points clear, with ten minutes left Zac Solomon crossed the whitewash and it looked like the result was assured after Doherty converted. Navan captain Sean McEntaggart made it a nervy finish with a late try for the hosts, not enough for a losing bonus point as Banbridge did not squander their advantage in the final minutes.
Old Crescent (0T) 6-29 Nenagh Ormond (2T), Takumi Park
Nenagh remain top of 2A unbeaten after four rounds of action as they were 23 point winners over Old Crescent in their Munster Derby on Shannonside.
Two early Conor McMahon penalties had Nenagh ahead 6-0 before Crescent were on the board after 18 minutes through Ronan McKenna landing a successful penalty attempt. Shy of the half hour mark Nenagh mauled over their opening try with Colm Skehan touching down and McMahon added the extras for a 13-3 lead.
Nenagh were reduced to 14 men for the rest of the contest minutes later and McKenna cut the gap to seven following another penalty. McMahon continued his prolific role from the tee to split the posts on two separate occasions for a 19-6 lead.
Into the second half another McMahon penalty was added to by a Joe Coffey try, McMahon with his second conversion attempt brought his tally to 19 of his side’s 29 points, with five penalties also slotted he certainly is a strong weapon for this Nenagh side.
UL Bohemian (1T) 11-9 Greystones (0T), Annacotty
A low scoring encounter on Shannonside but a third win of the campaign for UL in a cagey affair with Alan Kiely landing the winning penalty for UL as Greystones missed one at the death.
With ten minutes elapsed in the tie a strong lineout maul from the hosts saw them maul over for the opening try with Matt Henry crossing for the Red Robins. The conversion from the touchline was wide. Greystones however soon took control, Killian Marmion with three incredible penalties put the Wicklow side ahead 9-5 at the interval.
A penalty on half way from Harry Byrne put one between the teams minutes into the second stanza, with 15 left on the clock, Kiely assumed the kicking duties and put the hosts ahead 11-9. UL were holding strong but on concession of a late penalty Greystones had the chance to win the contest but the effort blew wide of the posts. Another important result for the Robins in these early weeks.
More Info on Division 2A 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.