Queens University are back at the top of 2A as Blackrock and Cashel shared the spoils at the weekend, while at the bottom of the table UL Bohemian recorded a first win of the season.
Cashel 17-17 Blackrock College, Spafield
Blackrock crossed for a late try to salvage a draw with Cashel and keep them in the title picture, despite dropping to second place on point difference.
Peter ‘Kicker’ Quirke had Blackrock in the lead after nine minutes having struck a penalty for a 3-0 lead, Cashel replied and a well worked move to drive inside the Blackrock 22 saw them touch down for a converted try to lead 7-3.
On the half hour mark came another twist to proceedings, Blackrock had a scrum shy of the line but were held up, the referee had some words and a penalty went the way of Rock they opted for another scrum and after two resets were awarded a penalty try to go into the break ahead 10-7.
Cashel levelled matters in the 52nd minute with another dissection of the posts off the kicking tee, momentum stayed with the Tipp side as Blackrock were short numbers on the field the hosts capitalised and got over for another converted try to move seven points clear.
The game ebbed and flowed and on the hour mark Matt Cosgrove ran in for their second try to bring them right back into the game, Quirke landed a difficult kick into a swirling breeze but it was enough to see a share of the points.
Ballymena 12-26 Queens University, Eaton Park
Queens University are back on the summit of 2A with a powerful showing against Ballymena at the weekend.
It was the visitors who drew first blood with a converted try putting them 7-0 ahead, Callum Patterson replied with an unconverted try to reduce the deficit before Josh Drain added their second later in the half, the conversion putting them ahead 12-7. Queens added a second converted try just before the break to regain the lead 14-12.
Queens controlled the second half with their lineout proving a dominant asset, a 5m lineout brought their third try shortly after the restart, while the bonus point was secured off another lineout maul try later in the half.
Nenagh Ormond 31-15 Navan RFC, New Ormond Park
Nenagh moved up to fifth after producing a hard fought win over Navan to pick up their fifth win of the season at their opponent’s expense as Navan dropped to sixth.
The hosts controlled the opening half and tries from Davy Gleeson, Conor McMahon and James Finn put them in the driving seat to lead 19-3 at the break, with Navan having little reply.
More of the same followed for the hosts into the second half Nenagh capped off the result with a bonus point try, before further extending the lead, Navan had little in the form of a comeback but battled hard the Nenagh defence however was solid and now sees them fighting for promotion.
UL Bohemian 20-17 MU Barnhall, UL 4G Pitch
UL Bohemian picked up their first win of the season but still remain bottom of the table despite defeating MU Barnhall, a strong second half by the robins seeing them record much needed points.
Barnhall started well and went over for their first try in the second minute, Conor Lacey used his pace to speed away and touch down in the corner for an early 5-0 lead, Bohs gave the visitors little time to celebrate their lead as James Burton levelled matters after crossing the whitewash. It was the visitors who would strike next as Conor Duggan raced from the halfway line to get their second try and Adam Chester’s conversion made it a 12-5 lead.
Again UL Bohs responded immediately. Kieran O’Shea powering over from 10 metres for their second try that Harry Byrne converted to level the game at half-time. A dramatic opening half in UL as neither could be separated.
Byrne kicked UL into the lead shortly after the restart with a well taken penalty, it gave the Limerick side confidence as minutes later a three point lead grew out to eight as O’Shea touched down for his second try of the game, Bohs ahead 20-12 it was theirs to lose and when Lacey grabbed his second try of the game it certainly caused worry but the missed conversion was a small let off, in the burning embers of the tie UL were on the attack looking for that bonus point try but it never materialised in the end.
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.