Galwegians remained two clear of Clogher Valley with another strong result at the weekend, elsewhere Bangor ended their losing streak to move out of the relegation zone on score difference.
Bangor (5T) 31-14 Ballina (2T), Upritchard Park
Bangor ended a three game losing streak to jump out of the relegation zone on Saturday afternoon.
After taking an early 5-0 lead, Bangor kept on the front foot with Conor Lusty powering over for a second try a short while later, Gareth Millar with the extras. Ballina struck back with a try of their own, however from the restart that followed a terrific break by Jamie Thallon struck a third try for the hosts, leading 17-7 at the break.
The bonus point arrived just after the restart for the second half, Mark Widdowson darting under the posts. Ballina did hit a second try, that was in consolation however as Bangor failed to show signs of nerves late on, Widdowson capping off the win with his second try, Millar converting and that may be a turning point for Bangor going forward.
Bruff (2T) 20-20 Tullamore (2T), Kilballyowen Park
A late Sean McCabe try converted by Conor Dunne shared the spoils in Kilballyowen as Bruff looked to have completed a remarkable comeback win.
It was all the visiting side in the opening half, Conor Dunne kicked an early penalty for the lead before Eoin O’Reilly went over for the games opening try which Dunne converted for a 10-0 margin. That gap became 13-0 when Dunne dissected the posts with a penalty a short while later. Bruff showed signs of life late in the half, Cal McCarthy with their opening try and Paul Collins converted for a 13-7 score line at the interval.
Whatever was said at the break seemed to rejuvenate Bruff, Collins cut the gap to three with a penalty before Cillian Rea added a second try to give the hosts the lead for the first time all afternoon, Collins converted the try and slotted another penalty for a 20-13 lead, it looked like Collins had done enough for the win, Tullamore meanwhile rallied late on with McCabe getting over and Dunne a key kicker all campaign did the duties to share the points.
Clogher Valley (4T) 32-19 Enniscorthy (3T), The Cran
Clogher Valley made up for the defeat in early December to Ennisorthy, a sparkling display seeing them out as bonus point winners.
It was the host’s that laid the marker down early, Paul Armstrong with a terrific intercept try in the early minutes converted by the man himself, Armstrong would add a penalty soon after for a 10-0 margin. Scorthy got on the board with Nick Doyle grabbing a try, Ben Kidd making it a three point game with the conversion.
Armstrong struck another penalty to further the hosts lead before Jamie Allen added their second try and the conversion from Armstrong left the gap 20-7 at the interval.
The Clogher captain Armstrong was in magic form for the hosts and with his second try converted into the second half Clogher had three on the board and were 20 points to go the good. Callum Smyton added the bonus try soon after as The Cran faithful were in full voice.
Enniscorthy did battle back late on as tries from Tom Ryan and Ben Kidd reduced arrears but time was not on their side to take any bonus points back with them to Wexford.
Clonmel (2T) 17-14 Midleton (2T), Ardgaoithe
An injury time penalty from Josef O’Connor needed the bounce off the crossbar to see Clonmel take all the points in a bruising Munster derby in Ardgaoithe.
Clonmel started strong with O’Connor kicking an early penalty for the lead, the advantage was furthered when after 12 minutes, Seamus Keating gathered a kick over the top and raced into the corner, the conversion from a tricky angle was missed. Midleton struck back just five minutes later, a strong lineout move saw Johannes du Toit get over for the visitors, Stuart Lee who looked like he had the boots hung up at the end of last season was back to slot the conversion from a testing angle. 8-7
Midleton would see a man visit the naughty step and for that duration, O’Connor would kick two penalties to stretch the gap 14-7. Back to the full 15 Midelton would hit a second try shy of the interval, again it was their superb lineout move, their rolling maul powering over and Ryan Lehane went over, Lee converted and the teams were deadlocked at the break.
The second half was a lot more cagey than the first, plenty of ground made by both teams, a lot of possession in the 10’s with neither able to push for that pivotal score, the referee awarded Clonmel a penalty on half way with minutes left, O’Connor stepped up and struck a beauty which bounced off the crossbar on it’s way over. Clonmel defended with their lives in the closing stages, O’Connor proving pivotal, his fourth penalty of the afternoon certainly earned him a free pint of MiWadi afterwards.
Galwegians (7T) 43-8 (1T) Omagh Academicals, Crowley Park
Galwegians kept their title challenge alive with another strong bonus point result against Omagh, keeping the Tribesmen two clear at the summit.
Wegians almost started the better with Oisin Halpin almost adding an early try, he was held up as Omagh defended well from the off. With 15 minutes elapsed, Scott Elliot slotted a penalty to give the visitors the lead. Wegians replied just three minutes later as Ryan Smith dotted down off the back off a lineout maul from 5m out. The conversion was wide but the advantage was with the hosts, that was not the case when the teams broke for half-time, Alastair Beckett finishing off a flowing move five minutes from the break, the score line 8-5 at the interval.
The host’s started on top in the second period, Smith grabbing a second try after a powerful driving maul off their lineout proved dividends once again, Tiernan Neville converting this one and the lead was back with the hosts 12-8. They never lost the lead as the Tribesmen were on a hot streak in the second half.
Shy of the hour mark Oisin McKey added a third try, a blitzing move on the wing which resulted in the winger powering his way over, Neville kicking a beauty from the corner to add the extras. The bonus arrived minutes later, Darragh Kennedy getting over in the corner, the conversion missing the mark, the lead 24-8 for the hosts.
Within seconds the fifth try arrived as McKey grabbed his second which Neville landed between the uprights, inside the final ten minutes of play Cian Brady and Ryan Roche both struck tries to cap off the result, Neville converting the former.
More Info on Division 2C here.
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.