Galwegians and Nenagh both secured impressive home bonus point wins to keep their respective title charges alive going into the final three games of the season.
Galwegians (6T) 38-14 Bangor (2T), Crowley Park
Galwegians moved back to second spot in the 2C table as they ran in six tries to overcome Bangor at the weekend.
It was all Wegians in the early exchanges. Tiernan Neville kicked a superb 50-22 and from the resulting lineout Ryan Smith dotted down and Neville converted. Shy of the tenth minute they were over again as Shane Mallon glided his way over in the right corner for a 12-0 lead as the conversion drew wide.
Bangor were battling away and had knocked at the door but were held up on the line. With roughly five minutes to go to halftime Paddy Dobie crossed in the corner and with Gareth Millar nailing the conversion the gap between the two was five points. Wegians had other plans however as they pressed on the attack and Cian Brady burst through a gap and using his quick feet went over for a third Wegians try which Neville converted, 19-7 at the interval.
In the second half it was the Ulster side that started better as Mike Weir crossed and Millar again cut the gap back to five points. Galwegians would find the feet to see out the game as the second half wore on, Ryan Smith crossed for the bonus point try and Neville landed the extra two points, 26-14. Brady would soon add a second try to his tally and Rob Deacy put the cherry on top with their sixth try inside the final ten minutes, Neville converting the former.
Nenagh Ormond (8T) 52-7 Ballymena (1T), New Ormond Park
Nenagh were utterly dominant in their win over Ballymena, notching eight tries to secure a precious bonus point, just one more win should be enough for the title depending on how Barnhall perform.
The host’s started with serious intent, notching an opening try through John O’Flaherty for the lead, on his 50th Cap in the AIL, Conor McMahon slotted the extras on offer. Nenagh remained on the front foot and Willie Coffey was next to cross and again McMahon found his range for a 14-0 lead.
Josh Rowland soon added the third and it looked like one way traffic in New Ormond Park as Rowland added five to the scoreboard. Nenagh soon saw yellow and Ballymena awarded a penalty try. Nenagh despite the numerical disadvantage did not show any signs of faltering in the tie Davy Gleeson soon adding the bonus point try, McMahon converting as Nenagh were 26-7 to the good at the interval.
Nenagh were at their best in the opening half and in the second stepped it up a gear. Coffey and Gleeson both added their second tries of the afternoon while Nicky Irwin and John Healy also dotted down for the hosts. McMahon slotted three further conversions in the second period.
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.