AIL Roundup: Division 2A Week 12

Queens suffered another defeat as Nenagh claimed another big scalp, wins for Blackrock and Barnhall have them both just behind Queens in the table, while Ballymena edged a cracker with Dolphin.

Blackrock College 43-5 UL Bohemian, Stradbrook

Blackrock made up for a recent dip in form with a big bonus point win over UL on a return to Stradbrook, they took the lead after 20 minutes, Brian Coclough crossed in the corner as Peter Quirke made it 7-0 off the tee, they doubled their lead before the break as Hugh Doyle made it 14-0 with his try as Quirke added the extras.

In a big second half showing Rock put in a dominant display, with Mark Edwards and Quirke amongst their second half scorers to put the game beyond doubt with UL managing a sole try as a consolation, Blackrock remain third on score difference to Barnhall.

Dolphin 38-40 Ballymena, Musgrave Park

Ballymena started the better after two minutes they ran over for a converted try to give them the early advantage, they kept that early advantage going and after 15 minutes crossed for a second converted try from Pierce Crowe.

The visitors were looking sharp and electric, 22 minutes in they added a third try to put them 21-0 ahead, Angus Robson the man to get over for the score, Dolphin managed to end their early rut by getting on the board themselves with a converted try to make it a 14 point game. Ballymena squashed hopes of a comeback late in the opening half as Adam Lamont crossed for the bonus point try to push their lead out to 28-7.

Cian Scott ran over for Dolphin’s second try after 34 minutes to keep them in the tie and still make a game of it but the conversion went wide to see the score 28-12 in the Ulster side’s favour at the break. Matty Dick started the second half off well for the visitors with another try, the conversion unable to see them further ahead.

Dolphin however would launch a sensational comeback, Rob Reardon and Scott crossed for tries with the latter unable to be converted by Quinlan, they would then get penalty try which saw them trail 33-31, in the 65th minute Dolphin took the lead, their maul doing enough t drive them over for a try which Quinlan made no mistake in scoring to lead 38-33. Just three minutes later Ballymena crossed again to lead by two points, it took a huge effort for them to grind out the result in those dying minutes.

Navan 19-20 MU Barnhall, Balreask Old

The hosts controlled the early stages of the game with two converted tries putting them 14-3 ahead as Barnhall found the posts to get them on the board. Barnhall would get a converted try to bring them back within four as they looked to mount a comeback, but another unconverted try saw Navan lead 19-10 at the break.

Barnhall would score a penalty in the early score of the second half, but with the final act of the game they crossed for a converted try to win by a single point.

Old Crescent 17-19 Cashel, Takumi Park

Crescent took advantage early as Stephen Kiely crossed after four minutes and Ronan McKenna converted for a 7-0 advantage, the hosts were cruising and after 20 minutes a well worked team try was finished off by Jack O’Mahony and McKenna made it a 14-0 lead off the tee.

Cashel managed to get on the board after 31 minutes, crossing for an unconverted try to bring them back into the tie with the Cormac O’Donnell getting over, however Ronan McKenna landed a penalty before the break to make it a 17-5 lead.

Cashel put in a huge second half shift to take the points, Jack O’Rourke crossed for the first try of the half Aido McDonald converted to make it a five point game, the game pressed on and both teams looked for a score but in the end the veteran Ciaran Ryan had the final say as his late converted try was enough to give Cashel the points.

Queens University 15-24 Nenagh Ormond, Dub Lane

Queens were first on the board in the Dub as they notched an early converted try, Evan Murphy replied for the visitors as his try was converted by Conor McMahon to level matters. Queens were far from out and another strong move got them over for a second try but the conversion went a miss.

Nenagh were out to claim a big scalp and a converted try just before the break had them in a strong position leading by two points, an early exchange of penalties kept Nenagh ahead by two points, before a penalty try secured the win for the Tipp side as they shut shop for those final minutes.

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.

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