Queens University were crowned champions after a dominant win over Dolphin in Musgrave Park, with Blackrock making it a tough battle to the final day, we now head to the play-offs.
Ballymena (4T) 31-34 (5T) Blackrock College, Eaton Park
A late penalty had crowned Blackrock champions for a brief period, but with Queens picking up a dominant when on Leeside they had to settle for second place.
Ross McKay had the hosts ahead with a penalty before two quick tries saw Rock build a 14-3 lead, a penalty try helped Ballymena claw back their opponents, but another blitz by the Dubliners saw them snatch two more tries before the break, getting the bonus and leading 24-10.
Despite Curtis Henry crossing for the hosts early in the second half, Blackrock quickly cancelled it out with their fifth. Ballymena however were not going down easy in the tie, they fought back as tries from Glenn Baillie and Rhys Ervine helped them draw level 31-31, but a late penalty was enough to seal a win for Blackrock, it had given them the title but they have to settle for a home semi final again Nenagh
Cashel (4T) 31-21 (3T) Navan, Spafield
Cashel ended the season with a fine win at home to Navan, a result that saw them finish just two points outside of the top four.
It was all the home side in the opening half as they took a 17-7 lead to the dressing rooms, Navan hit back in the second hitting two more tries but just could not find that elusive score to grab a bonus point to end the season with a flurry, but Cashel will be left wondering what if, as their bonus point finish, left them two points from fourth spot.
Nenagh Ormond (4T) 26-21 (3T) UL Bohemian, New Ormond Park
Nenagh guaranteed third spot after edging a tough battle between them and UL Bohemians in a Munster Derby in Tipperary.
It was a dominant opening half from the home side at New Ormond Park, as they ran in three tries to lead 21-0 at the break, a brace from Derek Corcoran while Josh Roland bagged a try, the boot of Conor McMahon adding the extras.
Back came the Robins in the second half, an early try was added to by Darragh O’Gorman making it 21-14, as it looked like they were about to complete the comeback, Josh Rowland added the bonus for Nenagh which went unconverted, Bohs added a late consolation, as they welcome Sligo next weekend.
Old Crescent (5T) 29-21 (3T) MU Barnhall, Takumi Park
Old Crescent for a bonus point winners over Barnhall on Shannonside, a big result for them at the end of the season on a high.
Eoin Murphy gave the hosts a dream start with a converted try in the opening minute, but the Kildare club would see out the opening half well as they crossed for three tries to lead 21-7 at the break.
Lee O’Grady added an unconverted trey for Crescent in the 56th minute, as the second half had been quite cagey between the sides, but the Limerick men found their feet as Sean Monaghan added their third try to make it 21-17 after 64 minutes.
Two further tries for the hosts secured their bonus point and also the win in injury time, they survive for next year and look to build ahead of next season.
Dolphin (3T) 21-98 (13T) Queens University, Musgrave Park
Queens were crowned champions after a dominant win on Leeside, topping the table with two points to spare over Blackrock
Lorcan Mccloughlin crossed in the firth minute as the Ulster side started how they intended knowing Rock were technically champions, Alex Pope levelled minutes later as Tomas Quinlan converted, it may not have been going to script for the visitors as despite Curtis Pollock putting them 12-7 ahead, Rob Reardon and Craig O’Connell both added tries for the hosts seeing them lead 21-14 after 24 minutes.
James Vaughan was sent to the bin and after that Queens took control, Ben Heath and an Alexander Clarke hat trick, had Queens ahead 40-21 at the break, the bonus secured, job half done.
Scott Wilson and Jonny Hunter added two quick tries as the second half got underway, it was all one way traffic in the half, Wilson would add a second later in the half, before four more tries saw them almost hit a century of points as they head for 1B.
Play-off Fixtures:
Saturday April 22nd 2023
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 1B Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Semi-Final:
Banbridge (9th in 1B) v MU Barnhall (4th), Rifle Park, 2:30pm
Blackrock College v Nenagh Ormond (3rd), Stradbrook, 2:30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2A Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Semi-Final:
UL Bohemian (9th in 2A) v Sligo (4th), Annacotty, 2:30pm
Galway Corinthians (2nd) v Dungannon (3rd), Corinthian Park, 2:30pm
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.