Details

Date Time Competition Season
9 October 2021 2:30 pm AIL Division 2A 2021/22

Match Report

Preview: AIL – Men’s Division 2A

After the excitement of the opening weekend’s fixtures, Queen’s University and MU Barnhall are the early leaders in Division 2A of the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League. 

A Tipperary derby will get the weekend's action underway on Friday night, while the remainder will kick off at 2:30pm on Saturday.

Nenagh make the short hour journey, as they travel to Cashel, in a tough local Derby.

The home side suffered a late loss to Buccaneers last weekend, Ruaidhri Fallon crossing over for a late try. A penalty try and the boot of Stephen McMahon, was their main scoring output last weekend.

Nenagh also suffered a late defeat, during last weekend's tie with MU Barnhall, despite tries coming from James Finn, Kevin O’Flaherty and John O’Flaherty, the side failed to hold on and record a win. The Tipp side only managing a penalty try in the second half.

Ballymena will play host to Buccaneers this week, off the back of a double digit loss to Ulster University.

Despite a James McCormick hat trick, the Ulster side finished second best, in a 40-24 defeat at a windy Dub Lane. The Ulster Academy hooker recorded a well-taken hat-trick, but still finished on the losing side, and will be one to watch again this weekend.

Buccaneers however will be hoping not to leave it late again, the Athlone side, who had a number of debutants on show, prevailed despite picking up three yellow cards, as they gave head coach Kolo Kiripati a winning start in Division 2A.

Dolphin and Rainey’s Old Boys will both aim to continue winning ways, after they both recorded victories last weekend.

The home side overturned an early 17-point deficit against Old Crescent, turning the game superbly to triumph 24-17. Tries from Connor Smyth, Rory MacGinty and Jack Bresland, giving them the points.

Dolphin helped give head coach Brian Scott, a winning AIL debut, as they overcame UL Bohemian 20-6, Brian O’Mahony and Rob Reardon both touched down, with Daryl Foley kicking the rest of their points.

MU Barnhall will look to take top spot in the division, as they face off against UL Bohemian at Parsonstown.

Barnhall had to work for their 32-24 point win over Nenagh, Sean Sexton, Conor Lacey and Cathal Duff all crossed over, while Fionn McGibney added the extras. Replacement hooker Gareth Murray added the insurance try, five minutes from the break.

UL will aim to remain competitive this weekend, the side only managing to score two penalties, in last weekend's 20-6 defeat.

Old Crescent will face a tough task, as they welcome Queens University to Rosbrien this weekend.

The Limerick side will look to right the mistakes, from last week's defeat, as they left a 17 point lead slip by them. Cathal Monaghan and Jack O’Mahony both crossed early, but the side failed to hold on.

The early pacesetters in the Division, Queen’s University looked outstanding in their 40-24 win over Ballymena.

Gary Dillon and Anton Lupari both crossed early, with David Whitten, Harvey Patterson and Alexander Clarke making it 32-10 by the interval. The side added a sixth try in the second half, in a strong scoring performance.

Ground

Virgin Media Park
Tramore Rd, Ballyphehane, County Cork, Munster, T12KO39, Ireland

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