Clogher Valley are getting ever close to the league title in 2C, Bruff staged a massive comeback to defeat Galwegians in a game of the weekend. It is as you were at the bottom end of the table.
Bruff (4T) 32-30 Galwegians (4T), Kilballyowen Park
Bruff staged a monumental comeback to defeat Galwegians on home soil, at one stage trailing 25-0, they rallied in the second half with Paul Collins striking a late penalty for the win.
Galwegians started much the better of the two sides. Eoin Tarmey and Cian Brady with tries in the opening half an hour, converted by Tieran Neville, the out-half striking a penalty in between for a 17-0 lead. Oisin McKey furthered the visitors lead as he went over in the corner for an unconverted try. Cillian Rea replied straight after his try converted by Collins made it 25-7 at the break.
Collins drew first blood in the second half for Bruff, an early penalty was quickly cancelled out as Jesse Va’afusuaga went over for a bonus point try for a 30-10 lead. Then began the Bruff comeback.
Andrew O’Byrne and a brace of tries by Mark Fitzpatrick were to inspire the comeback, the bonus secured, Collins missing the third conversion in that fruitful scoring run to leave a point between the teams. Collins had two late penalties at the posts, the first dragged wide, the second kissed the left upright and went over for the win.
Clonmel (2T) 15-29 Clogher Valley (4T), Ardghaoite
Clogher Valley continued to push for the league title as they proved too strong for Clonmel and for large parts was a closely fought affair. With Wegians having a game in hand, it could be their next game to decide the title depending on other results.
A tightly contested opening half as Josef O’Connor slotted a penalty to give the hosts an early advantage. That score would soon be cut out as Clogher showed that relentless attacking nature as Calum Smyton drove over from close range for an unconverted try, the Ulstermen ahead 5-3 at the interval.
Taine Haire kick started Clogher in the second half, dotting in the corner for the opening score as the try was unconverted. Shy of the hour mark Valley opted for a tap penalty to keep pressure on the hosts, their forwards driving for the line and Eugune McKenna dotted down. David Maxwell converted and Valley were ahead 17-3.
Clonmel got back on the board after the hour mark as O’Connor dotted down for the try, the score unconverted. From the restart Clogher again pressed on the attack, scrumhalf Matthew Bothwell spotted a gap raced 40 metres and dotted down their third try. Maxwell converted for a 24-8 lead.
Into the final minutes both sides registered tries, Luke Hogan went over for the hosts as O’Connor converted and shy of the full time whistle sounded Taine Haire struck his second try to seal a bonus win for the leaders.
Enniscorthy 48-15 Bangor, Alcast Park
Enniscorthy powered home to defeat Bangor who had dominated the early exchanges to move second in the 2C standings.
Tries by Connor Scollan and Mark Widdowson, the latter converted by Gareth Millar and Millar penalty gave the visitors an impressive 15-0 start to the contest. Scorthy replied with 23 minutes elapsed and never looked back.
David O’Dwyer with the first of their tries converted by Ben Kidd. Davie Murphy struck their second minutes later, Kidd again converting as Bangor had a man sent to the bin, the margin one point which remained to the interval.
Momentum was all with Scorthy and Kidd soon crossed the whitewash to put the home side ahead for the first time. Kidd followed that with a penalty before Nick Doyle added the bonus try for a 27-15 lead. Scorthy finished the game in style, Timmy Morriseey, Aaron Doyle and Nick Doyle again crossing for tries. All converted by Kidd.
Midleton (5T) 30-13 Omagh Academicals (1T), Towns Park
With 15 points left in the season Midleton are 11 behind Bruff after a strong win over Omagh, could the Devils make a late push for promotion?.
It was all the way of Midleton in the opening half, leading 8-0 at the interval, they pushed on, limiting Omagh to penalties and one try in the second half.
Johannes du Toit scored a hat trick of tries for the hosts while Mark Corby and Richie Daly also dotted down in the five try performance. Testing conditions in Town Park for the kickers as Jack Colbert kicked a penalty and Conall Doyle slotted a conversion.
Tullamore (6T) 38-18 Ballina (3T), Spollanstown
Tullamore are still in promotion contention as they powered six tries past Ballina who are still able to avoid the drop if they can turn it around in the coming weeks.
The hosts started on top with Alan Douglas crossing for an early try converted by Conor Dunne. Cody Chilcott reduced arrears for the visitors with a penalty but Cathal Farrell struck for a second try to further the hosts lead in the half.
In the second period Tullamore took control, tries from Dunne, Matthew Murphy and Steven Joyce, putting them well in front and also the bonus point secured. Ballina grabbed three second half tries but were unable to take a vital bonus point, Tullamore wrapping up the tie as Adam Strong went over.
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.