Blackrock College are back on top of 2A after a dominant display over Barnhall that sees them drop to fourth, UL move off the bottom while Nenagh kept their promotion dreams alive.
Ballymena 26-19 Cashel, Eaton Park
Ballymena rose to sixth after a strong showing over Cashel but survived a late comeback to take the win.
Curtis Henry put the hosts in front with an early try, Ross McKay converting, but Cashel’s Seanie O’Connell got over from a line out to level matters at 7-7. James Ryan went to the bin for Cashel and minutes later Adam Lamont got over for the hosts converted one again the hosts took a 14-7 lead to the break.
Callum Patterson added a third soon after the restart for a 12 point gap, Lamont got his brace and in turn secured the bonus point as the second half wore on, Brendan Ryan and O’Connell both added late tries for the visitors enough to snatch a losing bonus point.
Blackrock College 44-29 MU Barnhall, Stradbrook
Blackrock College restored their lead at the top of the 2A table after overcoming a strong Barnhall side at the weekend.
Ross Barron made it a fast start for the hosts getting in off the back of a maul for the opening try, a penalty a couple of minutes later further extended their lead but back came Barnhall to hit an unconverted try, that spurred them on and the then league leaders added a second after 24 minutes.
Just after the half hour mark Blackrock replied through Matt Cosgrove, Peter Quirke converted and the hosts were ahead by five, however within a minute of the kick off Banrhall were in again to tie the game as the conversion drew wide. Cosgrove would add another try just before the break, Quirke converting and the hosts ahead 22-15. Cosgrove would make it a hat trick in added on time as Quirke added the extras for a 29-15 half time lead.
Straight from the restart into the second half, Chris Rolland gathered and ran the distance to add their fifth try but the conversion went wide, the hosts stayed in front and in the 54th minute were over once again as James Fennelly scored after a great chip and chase, Blackrock well clear 41-15, Rock would see a man sent off on the hour mark, Banrhall would take advantage of that and snipe seven with a great move.
Bonus point secured Banrhall tried to chip away at the scoreline and another unconverted try made it a 12 point game, however Rock slotted a late three pointer from the tee to cap off a great performance at home as Banrhall tumbled from first to fourth.
Dolphin 14-47 Nenagh Ormond, Musgrave Park
Nenagh Ormond climbed to third spot after a commanding performance in the Munster Derby on Leeside.
Nenagh hit two early penalties before Rob Reardon got over after 25 minutes for the hosts, Tomas Quinlan converted and momentum swung their way, Barry Fitzgerald added a second on the half hour mark and Quinaln made the lead 14-6, however Nenagh hit a late converted try eight minutes from time to make it a one point game at the break.
Into the second half an Nenagh ran riot, five second half tries and a penalty ensuring they would not suffer defeat as their promotion hopes look boosted as the games come thick and fast.
Old Crescent 17-18 UL Bohemian, Takumi Park
UL Bohs are off the bottom of 2A having held on late to secure the points against their Limerick neighbours.
Alan Kiely finished off a blistering start by the Robins with an unconverted try after three minutes, they remained on the front foot and a tap go penalty in the 17th minute saw Richie Wallace dive over for their second try, the conversion making it a 12-0 lead. Casey Tanyi got Crescent on the board with a try and after Ronan Mckenna converted it was a five point game, before Harry Byrne notched a penalty to extend the visitors lead, however McKenna also landed one to make it 15-10 at the break.
Into the second and it was a ferocious contest between the two, Cathal O’Reilly put the hosts ahead 17-15 after 64 minutes with a try that McKenna would convert, however right at the death Byrne pointed to the posts from 45 metres out and slotted it over to seal a on point win as Crescent had to settle for a losing bonus point.
Queens University 46-15 Navan, Dub Lane
Queens moved back into second spot in the table two behind Blackrock after a dominant display over Navan at the Dub.
It took awhile for the action to heat up on the field, but after 29 minutes the hosts got over for a try from Niall Carville which was uncovered, Navan hit back four minutes from the break to level, but after a lovely crossfield kick from Richie McMaster, they worked the phases and over went Graham Curtis for the try.
As the second half got underway Queens stayed on the attack, after 50 minutes Robbie Johnston got over for their third try and McMaster made it a 17-5 lead. Navan added a penalty to reduce the gap but a driving maul got Queens in for their fourth as Alexander Clarke powered over.
After the hour mark they hit again and Johnston added his second for a 27-8 advantage, they finished with a flurry as Curtis Pollock, McMaster and David Whitten all added late tries to wrap up the fine performance.
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.