Sligo secured the last promotion spot in the division, with Wanderers and Rainey Old Boys just missing out, Galwegians enter the play-offs to stay up, while Enniscorthy are headed back to 2C.
Galwegians (6T) 42-33 (5T) Dungannon, Crowley Park
Galwegians secured their spot in the relegation play-off as they overcame the challenge of Dungannon at Crowley Park.
Mark Earlesy notched an early penalty for the home side before converting a Rob Deacy try for a 10-0 lead, Dungannpn got on the board as Peter Cashel crossed and with Ben McCaughey converting, Wegians lead was just three points.
The hosts replied with a try by Jack Winters and another Earlesy penalty making it 18-7, in the 25th minute James McMahon added a second try for the visitors cutting the gap to four, but McMahon was sent off minutes later. That did not hinder them as they hit a third try before the break to lead 21-18.
It was a nip and tuck tie, into the second half Ian Staunton scored under the posts for a converted try, before Dungannon hit back after 51 minutes Glenn Sinnamon crossing to put Dungannon ahead by a point.
Drama and excitement for the hosts as two quick tries saw them pull out a 37-26 lead, before their visitors struck late James Gamble making it a four point game after his try was converted, but at the death Wegians crossed for the final time, Kelvin Langan crossing to score the try that may see them stay up via a play-off.
Greystones (5T) 31-27 (4T) Enniscorthy, Dr Hickey Park
Greystones came from behind to defeat Enniscorthy at Dr Hickey Park and with that Enniscorthy were relegated back to Division 2C.
Scorthy had a short trip to Wicklow and started the better to lead 12-0 after two early tries, Greystones hit back with two tries to level the game, before Niall Parker dotted down for a 22-12 lead at the break.
Scorthy added another try after the break, but Stones hit two quick tries to cut the gap to just three points, they battled well and the league leaders finished the game with a flurry late on to score a late try to secure the win and leave Scorthy destined to return to 2C after being promoted last season.
Rainey Old Boys (4T) 24-18 (3T) Galway Corinthians, Hatrick Park
Rainey Old Boys overcame Corinthians in a tough battle in Ulster, but the result sees them finish in sixth place just missing out on the top four.
Edging the opening half 14-8, they hit two second half tries to secure a bonus point, but missed out on action in the play-offs.
Sligo (6T) 40-7 (1T) Belfast Harlequins, Hamilton Park (Strandhill)
Sligo were dominant in a game that secured their spot in the promotion play-off race as they finished in fourth.
Brendan Cunningham crossed for the games opening try after three minutes, Jack Keegan converted to make it a 7-0 lead, the only score in a tight opening half. The game came to life after 54 minutes, after Euan Brown crossed to score with Jack Keegan converting.
A penalty try saw Sligo lead 21-0, before Jakub “Kuba” Wojtkowicz barged over for the bonus point try in the 75th minute, Quins crossed to make it 26-7, but Cathal Finneran and Hubert Gilvarry both crossed late to wrap up the tie.
Wanderers (6T) 36-19 (3T) Malahide, Merrion Road
Wanderers got the result they needed in the race for promotion, but with Sligo winning out west they just missed out on the chance of promotion.
The home side got off to the better start as they built an early 12-0 lead of two quick tries, Malahide however responded with a converted try of their own but the hosts showed just why they were fighting for promotion sniping a third to lead 19-7.
Again the visitors showed signs of a fightback as they worked a great score to make it a five point game, the hosts would add a bonus point try just before the break to take a 26-14 lead into the dressing room, they stayed going as the second got underway, bagging a fifth and sixth try in succession.
Word had spread in Merrion Road of a bonus point try in Sligo, meaning despite their dominant showing on the scoring front it was not to be, Malahide would grab a consolation try, both will meet each other again next season.
Play-off Fixtures:
Saturday April 22nd 2023
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
Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2B Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Semi-Final:
Galwegians (9th in 2b) v Bruff (4th), Crowley Park, 2:30pm
Skerries (2nd) v Tullamore (3rd), Holmpatrick, 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.