The title race in 2C will go down to the final day as Clogher Valley and Galwegians both secured bonus point wins this weekend. Bruff and Enniscorthy will both contest the play-offs this season. At the bottom it is a three horse race between Omagh Academicals, Ballina and Bangor for survival.
Ballina (4T) 32-22 Omagh Academicals (4T), Heffernan Park
Ballina strengthened their hopes of safety as they toppled the side just ahead of them and set up a final day full of drama in the process.
It however was not the dream start for Ballina as Ali Beckett went over for Omagh for an early converted try. Beckett added a second try off the back of Ian West being yellow carded, the lead 12-0.
Ballina hit back and would lead by the interval. Jordan Mills powered over for their opening try converted by Darragh Whyte shy of the 20 minute mark. As the half was nearing an end Bradley Nealon dotted down and levelled the tie as the conversion was missed. Whyte would kick a penalty late in the half as the Mayo side had a three point buffer at the break.
Into the second half and Ballina had their bonus point wrapped up by the hour mark, Cian Quinn and Alex Corduff crossing with Whye converting for a 29-12 lead. Omagh struck two unconverted tries after the hour mark and as it looked like they would power home late on to take something, Whyte kicked a penalty to prevent any losing bonus point.
Clonmel (4T) 31-38 Bangor (6T), Ardghaoithe,
Bangor remained bottom despite victory but are just a point from safety going into the final day as they still have the chance to stay up facing Midleton at home on the final day.
It took 15 minutes for the deadlock to be broken in Ardghaoithe, a cross field kick from Rhys Larmour was gathered by Mark Widdowson to dot in the corner, Larmour converted for a 7-0 lead. Clonmel hit two tries before the half hour mark, first Ben Everard went over for a try converted by Josef O’Connor, minutes later Conor Hogan dotted down and O’Connor converted for a 14-7 lead.
Two minutes later Bangor grabbed their second try, Ryan McCaroll going over and Larmour slotted the conversion for the equalising score. Bangor ended the half in strong fashion, Paddy Dobie crossing in the corner and Larmour slotted a tricky conversion attempt for a 21-14 half time lead.
The Ulstermen added the bonus point in the second half, Conor Scollan gliding over in the corner, Larmour just missing the conversion. Clonmel hit back to cut the gap to five points as Diarmuiod Devaney went over in the 46th minute and O’Connor slotted the conversion. Bangor replied well to that score as Craig Gilroy sped his away over for their next try and Larmour made it 33-21 from the tee.
Dobie added his second try to extend the lead further but Clonmel would make it a nail biting finish. Luke Hogan added a bonus point try for Clonmel before O’Connor who had slotted that conversion, dissected the uprights with a penalty minutes later to cut the gap to seven, Bangor managed to hold on for the vital win.
Enniscorthy (3T) 21-26 Bruff (4T), Alcast Park
Bruff confirmed their spot in the play-offs with a bonus point win over Enniscorthy, the Wexford side will also make the play-offs despite the result. Paul Collins with a brace of tries while Sean O’Riordan and Brendan Gleeson also crossed the whitewash.
Scorthy struck first blood with Ben Kidd slotting an early penalty, Bruff hit back with their opening try and Collins converted for a 7-3 lead. Scorthy responded well to going behind, tries by Adam Gething and Cillian Creed helped the hosts into a 13-7 lead.
Bruff managed to end that scoring run with a try of their own, Collins again with the conversion and the lead was a single point. The Limerick men added a third try soon after but the conversion went astray as they looked to see out the opening half. Davie Murphy crossed for a third Scorthy try shy of the break, the margin 19-18 at the interval.
Into the second half and Bruff added their bonus point try and with Collins landing his third conversion attempt, the lead was 26-18. Ben Kidd struck a penalty to reduce the deficit but Bruff hung on for an important win having been ravaged by injuries.
Midleton (3T) 17-43 Galwegians (6T), Towns Park
Galwegians ensured they left Leeside still in the title picture, a strong bonus point performance got them past the test of Midleton.
An electric opening try for Rob Deacy set the tone of the tie. Straight from the kick-off Galwegians attacked with purpose and slicing through the Midleton cover, Deacy raced in for the opening try which Tiernan Neville converted.
Wegians stayed on the attack and minutes later a lineout maul saw Ryan Smith power his way over and Neville made it 14-0 with the conversion. Either side of the half hour mark Galwegians secured their bonus point, Liam Angerman and Deacy with his brace, Neville converting both and later struck a penalty for a 31-0 lead at the break.
Johannes du Toit crossed for an early try in the second half to reduce the gap as Conall Doyle converted the try. Du Toit added a second soon after but this try went unconverted. The gap reduced to 31-12, Wegians soon continued their scoring form. Shy of the hour mark Neville hit a garryowen and field well before racing into the corner, his conversion cracked off the crossbar.
Oisin Halpin added try number six for the Galway men as they produced a strong maul in the process. Neville slotted the extras once again. Killian Lynch added a late consilation try which went unconverted.
Tullamore (2T) 12-41 Clogher Valley (7T), Spollanstown
Clogher Valley dug deep to claim a scalp over Tullamore as they have a title decider on the cards on the final day. Clogher are top by score difference of 53. A five point haul over Ballina is needed to claim the title.
Tullamore did strike the first blow and put seven points on the board early. Clogher did hit back as Calum Smyton struck their opening try which David Maxwell converted to level the tie. Clogher were in again minutes later as Michael Bothwell bulldozed over under the posts for their second try, Maxwell making it 14-7 with the conversion. The same score at the interval.
Play was halted for 15 minutes following a serious injury and the game was moved to the adjoining pitch. Momentum stayed with Valley and David Stinson drove over for their third try and Maxwell made it 21-7 with the conversion. The bonus point was secured as Smyton broke the cover following a strong lineout move to cross for an unconverted try.
Tullamore soon added a second try which went unconverted to end the one sided nature of the scoring. It proved to be their final score, Stinson soon added his second try and tries from Taine Haire and Paul Armstrong put the cherry on top of a dominant performance by the Ulster side.
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.