Clontarf were named Division 1A Champions after a 29-23 victory over Terenure at the Aviva Stadium today.
Continue reading “1A Final – Clontarf edge Terenure in tight battle”
Clontarf were named Division 1A Champions after a 29-23 victory over Terenure at the Aviva Stadium today.
Continue reading “1A Final – Clontarf edge Terenure in tight battle” →Terenure have reached their first ever AIL Division 1A final and will face Clontarf at the Aviva Stadium at 3pm today.
Continue reading “1A Final Prev: Clontarf v Terenure College” →Clonmel lost in Derry, but had enough done to secure their AIL status for another season.
Continue reading “2C Relg P/O: Clonmel survive despite loss in Derry” →Banbridge produced a sublime and clinical home performance to trounce Navan 24-0. The result ensures Banbridge maintain their Division1B status whilst Navan will drop down a league.
Scores from Robin Sinton, Michael Cromie, and Conor Field along with nine points from fly half Adam Doherty transformed the second leg of this relegation playoff. From a tense tightly poised 25-17 win away last week, today turned into an afternoon for Banbridge and their supporters to celebrate at a rainy Rifle Park.
Head Coach Max McDowell had called for Banbridge fans to “get behind the players” and despite the conditions, many turned out to watch. After a pointless opening quarter, Sinton scored a crucial try, which when converted by Doherty gave Banbridge a 15-point cushion on aggregate, turning Navan’s already uphill task into a mountainous challenge.
The hosts scored again right on half time, Cromie dotting down, a true captain’s example in a match where leadership was invaluable.
The second half mirrored the first for scrappiness and caginess. Although on 65 minutes, Bann cemented the win, winger Field getting over to seal success having also scored the tie-turning try in the first leg away last week. Doherty converted and added a penalty five minutes later, making the score line an emphatic 24-0.
In a season full of discomforts, in the relegation playoff, Banbridge stayed up in both comfort and style. There is plenty of satisfaction for Bann to take as well.
Coming from behind away in the first leg was undoubtedly a turning point, a rallying cry to the fans which maximised home support and the calm, well-manged game which they played out today.
If they bring these traits regularly next season, a relegation playoff may not be needed to prove themselves worthy of Division 1B status.
When James Humphreys last second conversion attempt came back off the upright, it sparked wild celebrations amongst the large travelling support from the midlands as Buccaneers tore up the script and gained promotion back to Division 1B after a four-year absence.
Continue reading “2A Final – Buccaneers edge Queens University in Belfast” →Shannon will return to top tier of the AIL following a deserved 30-15 victory over Naas at Coonagh on Saturday afternoon.
Continue reading “1B Final – Shannon return to the top” →Ballynahinch retained their Energia Division 1A status in a tense and enthralling relegation play-off.
Continue reading “1A Relg P/O – Ballynahinch retain 1A status as UCC go down” →Enniscorthy are promoted to the Division 2B, after a powerful 41-14 win over Skerries.
Continue reading “2C Final: Enniscorthy gain promotion” →A last minute Matthew Dwan try sealed Blackrock College’s promotion to Division 2A after coming from 17 points down to beat Greystones at Dr. Hickey Park.
Continue reading “2B Final – Blackrock come from behind to beat Greystones” →A place in the 2022/23 AIL top tier is up for grabs as Naas make the trip to Limerick to face Shannon in the Energia AIL Division 1B final.
Continue reading “1B Final Prev: Shannon v Naas” →