Queens restored their lead at the top of the table with a late comeback over Blackrock, Nenagh Ormond are just two behind them after another big win, elsewhere UL Bohs opened up an eight-point gap ahead of Dolphin at the foot of the table.
Blackrock College 27-28 Queens University, Stradbrook
Queens regain pole position in 2A after coming from behind to snatch a late win over Blackrock.
Blackrock started the better and it looked for a time they would take the tie, Peter Quirke opened the scoring for Blackrpck before Chris Rolland added a try which kicker Quirke converted for a 10-0 lead.
Queens hit back with a converted try but Hugo Gordon-Treacy gathered a chip kick from Rolland down the wing and got under the posts increasing their lead to 17-7 at the break in an entertaining contest.
Three minutes into the second half and Rock were awarded a penalty try to give them an early edge in the second half, but Queens had not headed home that early and another converted try made it a ten point game.
Quirke on the hour mark landed another penalty to make it a 13 point lead, but Queens showed tier class soon after, four minutes later their third try came and made it a nervy finish, two minutes after came the killer blow to rock as for the first time in the tie Queens took the lead, a difficult conversion on the touchline was good and Queens in the end were victorious.
MU Barnhall 21-17 Cashel, Parsonstown
Barnhall remain fourth after a closely fought battle with Cashel keeps their hopes of making the playoffs alive.
It was a nervy opening half as the sides went in 7-5 at the break as Banrhall had a two point margin, into the second half they remained composed and managed to do enough to seal the win with another two tries doing the damage, Richard Kingston, Idris Rqibi, and Sean O’Connell all crossed for Cashel while Aidan McDonald added a conversion.
Navan 21-22 Old Crescent, Balreask Old
Old Crescent put in a big performance as they overcame Navn by a single point to put a bigger gap between them and the drop zone.
Crescent had the better of the opening exchanges as they crossed for two converted tries to lead 14-7, Ronan McKenna added a penalty to make it a ten point lead soon after.
Navan would grab another two tries to comeback at Crescent but they added a third try in the second half to secure the points.
Nenagh Ormond 34-24 Ballymena, New Ormond Park
Nenagh continue their magic spell in 2A and are now two points behind Queens at the top of the table.
Nenagh had early intent on the tie that shook their visitors, Josh Rowland added an early unconverted try before Conor McMahon made it an 8-0 lead with a penalty. Nicky Irwin continued their purple patch in the opening half with their second try for a 15-nil scoreline, John O’Flaherty and McMahon signed off the bonus point for a 29-3 lead at the break as Ballymena landed a penalty through Ross McKay to get on the board.
Ballymena came back into the game as the second half was in its infancy, Adam Lamont, Pierce Crowe and Riley all bagging tries to make it a five point game, Nenagh had work to do late on but managed to get over the line as they signed off on the win with Patrick Scully bagging a late try.
UL Bohemian 27-24 Dolphin, Annacotty
The Robins picked up a big win to try and see them make a late survival push in the final weeks, a late try from Darragh O’Gorman saw them take the points.
Bohs notched two early tries through captain Paul Clancy as they took an early 12-0 lead, Harry Byrne made it 15-0 as his penalty further extended the Robins lead. Byrne went to the bin for a high tackle and a tap and go penalty later Dolphin were over for their opening score, Bohs had a second man go to the bin as Byrne returned with Jamie McNamara the next to go, Dolphin took advantage and penalty to the corner saw their maul go over,15-14 at the break.
Five minutes into the second half Dolphin were over again, the conversion good and they took the lead for the first time, however McNamara would get a reply on the board for UL as the conversion gave them a one point lead, a monster penalty from 40 metres saw Dolphin go back in front but O’Gorman’s late try would be the final say in a frantic game.
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.