Clogher Valley retake top spot in 2C as they produced a stunning display to overcome Galwegians, elsewhere Bruff continued their good form for a promotion place and Omagh Academicals moved out of the bottom two.
Ballina (2T) 12-20 Bruff (3T), Heffernan Park
Bruff produced a second half rally to overcome Ballina in Heffernan Park, Paul Collins with a late try giving the Shannonsiders the win.
Ballina had the ideal start with Alex Corduff crossing the whitewash in the opening minute, converted by Cody Chilcott for a 7-0 lead. Bruff wasted little time to reply, mere minutes later Mark Fitzpatrick dotted down but the gap stayed at 7-5 as the conversion missed the mark.
On the half hour mark Bruff would take the lead, Cal McCarthy with their second try which would again go unconverted. Ballina however on the stroke of half-time would grab their second try as Corduff again was the man to cross, the conversion missing the mark, Ballina ahead 12-10 at the break.
Bruff certainly rallied better in the second half, it was a late turnaround, Collins with a penalty made the margin one point, shortly after he would be the difference again gliding over for their third try, Ethan Anderson slotted the conversion as Bruff moved to third in the table.
Clogher Valley (2T) 20-7 Galwegians (1T), The Cran
Clogher Valley regained top spot in 2C with a strong home win over fellow title chasers Galwegians.
It was a titanic start between the two in the early exchanges as both sides pressed for a score, Wegians would draw first blood 17 minutes into proceedings, from their maul, the ball was sent backwards and Cian Brady forced his way over for the opening try, Tiernan Neville converted for a 7-0 lead.
That score looked to have awoken the hosts, four minutes later David Maxwell sent a missile of a penalty down the line for a lineout shy of the Wegians line. Valley won the lineout and their driving maul was set to force Wegians back for the score, inch by inch they got closer and in the end Kyle Cobane barged over for the try, captain Paul Armstrong converting to equalise. Action at both ends this was an incredible fast paced game between the 22’s, the lead would come for the host’s with Armstrong nailing a 35 metre penalty for a 10-7 lead at the break.
With ten minutes elapsed in the second half Armstrong used his trusty boot to extend the lead with another penalty for a 13-7 score line. Clogher Valley had all the momentum as they looked to reclaim top spot lost at the latter stages of last year, Calum Smyton broke toward the Wegians line but was held short, after phase after phase the veteran David Sharkey managed to get the ball over and Armstrong converted for the cherry on top of a sensational win.
Midleton (3T) 24-19 Enniscorthy (3T), Towns Park
Midleton were at their sparkling best getting past Enniscorthy in an exciting contest between the two at Towns Park, another result to ease the Leesiders worry of another relegation battle.
Two tries from Johannes du Toit and another from Idris Rqibi all converted by Staurt Lee laid the groundwork for the result, despite Fiachra Hourihane and Ben Kidd crossing for converting tries, the hosts were 21-14 ahead at the interval.
Whatever was said at the break had Scorthy sharp early in the second period, David O’Dwyer adding a third try and Kidd converted to leave just two between the teams. Midelton needed a score to increase the advantage late on and Lee delivered, back to help his team following retirement last year, the now scrum-half slotted his fourth kick of the day ensuring a five point win.
Omagh Academicals (1T) 14-7 Bangor (1T), Thomas Mellon Playing Fields
A closely contested Ulster Derby at Thomas Mellon Playing Fields saw Omagh claim the spoils over Bangor and leapfrogged their compatriots to leave the relegation zone.
The opening half was a ding dong battle between these two, chances came and went as the only score of the half came from Scott Elliot dissecting the posts with a penalty for a 3-0 lead.
Elliot added a second penalty early in the second period to once again strike first blood for the hosts, another penalty on the Bangor 22 allowed Elliot a third strike at goal which made the margin 9-0. It was all going the hosts way and when Adam Longwell got over the result looked assured. Bangor did cross late on as Connor Scollan went over out wide and Gareth Millar nailed the conversion.
Tullamore 19-14 Clonmel, Spollanstown
A strong first half performance set the scene for Tullamore to overcome Clonmel despite a late rally from the visitors almost turning the game on its head.
The hosts struck first blood after ten minutes, Scott Milne crossing for the opening try converted by Conor Dunne. A lead doubled with 25 minutes elapsed in Spollanstown, Kalvin Mahon getting overfor the second and Dunne landed the extras. Dunne would extend the lead to 19-0 as his try capped off the opening half performance for the hosts.
Clonmel battled in the second half to overcome the deficit, Alex Sheehan with their opening try of the contest and Josef O’Connor cut the margin to 12. The visitors kept pressing but could not add a further score until added time, Luke Hogan with the score and O’Connor cut the margin to five with the conversion. Tullamore five points off the play-off places following the win.
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.