Clogher Valley continued their unbeaten start to 2C with another bonus victory, Clonmel and Midleton secured much needed wins while Bangor came close to breaking their losing streak.
Bangor (2T) 26-28 Galwegians (4T), Upritchard Park
Shane Mallon crossed at the death to steal victory for Wegians and keep their 100% record alive.
For Bangor it is certainly a killer blow as it looked like the Ulster side had turned the screw for a win. They dominated early as Mike Weir crossed after 5 minutes for the opening try for a 7-0 lead. Wegians replied swiftly as Cian Brady crossed for his first AIL try at the quarter of an hour mark and Tiernan Neville levelled matters.
Gareth Millar had converted the earlier try and his penalty after 19 minutes put the hosts three ahead. Millar was back on kicking duty on the half hour mark when he struck over another conversion as Connor Scollan crossed for the hosts, 17-7. Three minutes later Wegians replied well, a quick tap and go by Andrew Sherlock warranted a second try for the visitors, the gap down to three.
The lead changes hands twice in the dying embers of the opening half, Millar slotted another three to help the Bangor charges but soon after Wegians crossed for their third try, Oisín Haplin over the whitewash for the third try and the lead for the first time was with the Galway side. It lasted mere minutes with Millar on hand to slot another penalty between the posts for a 23-21 lead at the break.
Into the second half it was very much cagey as both displayed a ferocious appetite in attack and defence. Millar put five between the teams with yet another successful penalty as it looked to be a pivotal score in the winning of the contest. At the death Wegians with over 20 phases in the build up as Mallon carries the ball over. Neville held his nerve to dissect the uprights with the resulting conversion, another bonus point result for Galwegians.
Bruff (2T) 20-36 Clogher Valley (5T), Kilballyowen Park
Clogher Valley continued their impressive start to their first AIL campaign with a strong bonus point win over Bruff.
The visitors drew first blood with Taine Haire getting over and the conversion from Paul Armstrong found its way over for a 7-0 lead. Scrum half Sean Kilbridge replied with a penalty, however Armstrong also slotted one to keep the gap at seven. Ethan Anderson would convert a penalty in the latter stages of the half for a 10-6 scoreline at the interval.
Whatever was said at the break certainly ignited a fire in Clogher. Haire, David Stinson and Haire for the third occasion to complete his hat trick all crossed in succession as the visitors built up a 29-6 lead. John O’Dea replied for the hosts with a converted try to cut the gap but again Clogher powered over for a 36-13 lead as Reece Smyton dotted down. Shane Duggan crossed for a consolation score late on for the hosts.
Clonmel (4T) 37-21 Omagh Academicals (3T), Ardgaoithe
Clonmel ended their recent losing streak with a hard fought win over Omagh on Saturday afternoon.
Ben Everard gave the hosts the lead after two minutes when he crossed for their opening try, Joseph O’Connor converted for a 7-0 lead. That lead was doubled after 13 minutes when Conor Horan went over and O’Connor made no mistake with the conversion for a 14-0 margin.
Omagh were awarded a penalty try minutes later and Clonmel were reduced to 14 and had their lead halved as a result. Onagh failed to capitalise and five minutes from the end of normal time Clonmel got over for their third try, Brian O’Dea getting over and O’Connor converted for a 21-7 lead. Hogan added a second soon after and O’Connor left the score 28-7 with the bonus point secured.
Four minutes into the second half O’Connor slotted a penalty to further the hosts chokehold on proceedings. Shy of the hour mark another penalty try saw Accies cut the gap, O’Connor however was again accurate from the tee the lead 34-14. Omagh would soon get over for their third try, this one scored by one of their players in the corner. O’Connor capped off his performance with another penalty in the dying embers.
Enniscorthy (8T) 52-19 Tullamore (3T), Alcast Park
Enniscorthy were big winners in their first meeting in over a year against Tullamore in Alcast Park.
It continues the winning streak against their Offaly opponents. Lee Steacy crossed after just three minutes to draw first blood for the hosts Ben Kidd making it 7-0 with the conversion. Kevin O’Connor added the second try before a run from halfway saw Liam Stamp offload for Connor Fahy to dot down for the third, Adam Gethings converting for a 19-0 lead.
Sean McCabe crossed for the visitors at the midway point of the opening half Karl Dunne putting a full seven on the board for Tullamore. Scorthy added the bonus point soon after O’Connor crossed for his second try of the game, 26-7 as Gethings slotted the extras.
Enniscorthy would soon run riot on the scoring front in the opening half as Fahy crossed for his second try which Kidd converted, before Timmy Morrissey soon added a sixth, 38-7. Two yellow cards followed for the visitors soon after they conceded a penalty try to trail 45-7 at the break.
MJ Doyle ran in for their eight try soon after the restart as the outcome was well and truly confirmed. Tullamore would run in two converted tries to cut the deficit in the finish.
Midleton (4T) 32-13 Ballina (1T), Towns Park
Late tries from Fionn O’Connell and Evan Donovan gave Midelton a crucial bonus point win that puts them fifth in the standings.
Fionn McGibney struck first for the hosts from a penalty but Darragh Whyte soon replied for Ballina and with Cody Chilcott converting the lead was 7-3. McGibney made it a one point game with his second penalty but Chilcott landed a second successful penalty attempt to cancel it out. Chilcott remained a strong presence for Ballina and his third kick put seven between them at the break. 13-6.
As the second half wore on it was Midleton who started brightly crossing after seven minutes with Aaron Leahy crossing and McGibney converting the extras. Midelton kept pressing but failed to breach Ballina again until the 70 minute mark, Ryan Lehane getting over and another McGibney conversion made it 20-13. Only the second time they led the contest following the earlier penalty. Tries from Fionn O’Connell and Evan Donovan sealed the bonus result.
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.