Instonians’ grasp on the 2C title continues to tighten after their 13th successive win of the season, Tullamore, Skerries and Clonmel all secured wins to maintain a top four finish.
Bruff 19-33 Instonians, Kilballyowen Park
Instonians have kept up their 100% start to the season with a 13th win and 13th bonus point collected after a powerful showing over Bruff.
Tries from Matty Kilpatrick, Matt Keane and Mark Keane set the visitors in motion in the opening half as they had a 19-0 lead at the break.
Rhys O’Donnell added the bonus point try shortly after the break before Neil Saulters crossed for their fifth to put them ahead by 33 points, Bruff would finish with a flurry adding three late tries but time just wasn’t on their side.
Clonmel 34-12 Ballina, Ardghaoithe
Clonmel have built up an eight point cushion from the chasing pack in fourth spot after overcoming Ballina.
The hosts had the perfect start to the tie Dylan Cadogan landed an early penalty before Luke Hogan crossed for their first of two quick tries, giving them a 15-0 lead by the end of the opening quarter.
Rob Wynne added their third for a 22-0 lead, but the Mayo men soon replied with an unconverted try. After the hour mark Brian O’Dea got the bonus point try putting them ahead 29-5. Clonmel added a late effort after a strong rolling maul, before Ballina also crossed late for a consolation score.
Midleton 37-29 Bangor, Towns Park
Midleton needed a late Adam Malone try to ensure they got a win over Bangor to move up to seventh spot in the table.
The hosts started strong as Cillian Lynch, bagged an early brace of tries to see them build a 16-0 lead after they added an earlier try. Bangor added a penalty and converted a try to cut the gap, before Kyle Reid added a bonus point try for a 23-10 lead at the break.
Midleton added their fifth try just after the break, but almost squandered the lead as Bangor came back to life, the scoreboard ticking in the away sides favour as the deficit decreased further and further, three tries later and the bonus point was secured but also it was a
one point game, Malone proved the match winner as his converted try was enough to seal the win.
Omagh Academicals 17-22 Skerries, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields
Skerries picked up a win in a tight affair with Omagh, the visitors snatching a losing bonus point for their efforts.
Tries from Paul O’Loghlen and Josh Ericson along with a penalty from Ronan Mulcahy had Skerries 15-0 ahead with a frantic start. Omagh got an unconverted try before the break but John Water cancelled that out to see Skerries ahead 22-5 at the break.
Omagh came to life in the second half but time and the scoreboard just weren’t on their side, two tries in the half left just five between them a last gasp effort getting them over as Skerries maintain a promotion push.
Sundays Well 11-27 Tullamore, Musgrave Park,
Tullamore inflicted further woe on Sundays Well as a strong second half saw them pick up a win.
John Costello powered over to give Well an early lead, the lead was quickly reduced as Karl Dunne notched a penalty, but Josh Featherstone dissected the posts for a 8-3 lead at the break.
Tullamore started the second half with intent as he got under the posts and converted for the lead. Dunne spotted space out wide and kicked crossfield for Lance Batten to get in for the second try, both sides exchanged penalties before Gavin Kelly wrapped up the tie with a third try late on.
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.