Roundup: AIL – Men’s Division 2A

Ballymena guaranteed their spot in the top four of the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2A, a big win over Queens University enough to see them reach the Semi Final stage.

Dolphin 22-19 UL Bohemian, Musgrave Park

Dolphin kicked off the final days action with a narrow three point win over UL Bohemian at Musgrave Park, a result that saw them up to fourth in the table, until the remainder of the games would kick off later than afternoon.

The hosts were much the better side early in the opening half, Kevin Allen and Dave O’Mahony both crossed for tries early for a 12-0 lead, UL reduced the gap to 12-7 with a well taken try of their own, but Cian Fitzgerald got their third before the break, leaving it 19-7 at the interval.

After a slow start to the second half, Bohs crossed for a second try to make it 19-14 as they looked to claw back their opponents, Daryl Foley kicked a penalty for the hosts 15 minutes from time to extend their lead, before UL crossed late for an unconverted try as they trailed by three, 22-19. That is how the score would remain as the Limerick outfit failed to manage a late score and missed out of the top four.

Ballymena 33-20 Queens University, Eaton Park

Ballymena secure their spot in the top four after a bonus point win over Queens this afternoon, a result they needed that will see them into the Semi Finals, where they will face off against the Ulster students 

Ballymena laid a marker down in the opening half, James McCormick crossing early for an unconverted try before Queens hit back with a converted effort to lead 7-5. McCormick added a second try midway through the half, before Matthew Corr added their third before the break for a 19-7 lead.

Adam Lamont was quick to add the bonus point try just after the restart, but Queens hit back to make it 26-14 shortly after, the hosts were awarded a penalty try towards the end of the half, as Queens could only manage two late three pointers to cut the gap.

Cashel 38-43 Buccaneers, Spafield

Buccaneers narrowly edged their Semi Final opponents by five points this afternoon, a high scoring contest by both teams, has them looking competitive ahead of the next meeting in a couple weeks.

It was the hosts who were the happiest at the break with a 26-12 lead in Tipperary, the hosts were first on the board with a converted try, but two back to back tries by Buccs had them 14-7 ahead. Cashel cut the gap to two with an unconverted try midway through the half, but two tries just before the break gave the hosts a huge advantage.

Cashel hit a converted try just after the restart as they aimed to comeback into this contest ,however Jenson Nagle crossed for another Buccs try as they led 33-19, after great exploits by Cashel they brought the gap to two points 33-31, but despite this they could not go ahead as the visitors held for the win.

MU Barnhall 28-45 Nenagh Ormond, Parsonstown

Nenagh Ormond will have a huge boost ahead of their meeting with Rainey Old Boys in the relegation playoff, out classing MU Barnhall for the majority of the tie, they look like a composed team who dreams of staying in 2A.

Despite already facing a relegation playoff the hosts were the better team for the opening half, leading 24-14 at the break they were quick to get their scores and despite the two converted Barnhall tries, they were not phased in their attacking exploits.

Whatever was said at half time seemed to work for the visitors, they were a different outfit and did not look like a team facing relegation via the playoffs this year, continuing their purple patch of scoring to add three more tries in the second half period, as Banrhall struggled to find form in this tie.

Old Crescent 33-10 Rainey Old Boys, Takumi Park

Old Crescent will finish the year just outside the top four, after a bonus point win over bottom placed Rainey this afternoon, they had to be patient only coming alive in the second half, but will be disappointed not to make the final four as Ballymena managed to get the result they needed.

It took until the 20 minute mark for the opening score of the contest, Rainey putting over a penalty for an early lead, Tiveta Toia got over for the opening try for the hosts, as they led 7-3. Rainey replied just before the break with a converted try of their own to push out a 10-7 lead at half time.

The second half was all the way of the home team, Val McDermott had them ahead 14-10 shortly after the restart with a lovely try, they remained on top and John Hurley had them ahead 21-10 after 68 minutes with their third try of the game, Ronan McKenna crossed for the bonus try four minutes from time, as Rainey failed to keep out their opponents, Dean O’Grady wrapped up the scoring with their fifth try after 80 minutes.

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.

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