Cashel picked up their tenth win in a row in the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2A, overpowering the league leaders Queens University, Buccaneers also dropped points this weekend, while Nenagh had an impressive showing.
Cashel 18-10 Queens University, Spafield
Cashels remarkable unbeaten run in the league continues, overcoming the league leaders by eight points in the end. A blemish to the Ulster team’s record as they dropped points to their second placed counterparts.
Queens crossed for an opening try early in the first half, the hosts replied immediately with a penalty attempt to make it 5-3. Cashel started to put their mark on the contest, they were rewarded with an unconverted try of their own to lead 8-5 at half time.
From the restart it was one way traffic for the majority of the second half, the small Tipperary club putting in a great showing, managing to cross for a converted try, before another penalty saw them ahead by 13 points. A late consolation try for Queens did little to break the resolve of the hometown club.
Dolphin 29-12 Old Crescent, Musgrave Park
Dolphin regained their composure to pick up a bonus point win over Old Crescent, making full use of their home advantage, the Cork club lead from the off taking control of the tie, a big win to boost their morale.
The hosts were 12-0 ahead by the 20th minute, crossing for two tries but looked strong in their attack, the capability of more looked on the cards. They managed a third try before the head hour mark, but a well-worked move finished by Jordan Higgins gave a lifeline to Crescent before half time, as they trailed 19-7.
After the restart Dolphin extended their lead with a penalty, Higgins managed to run in and get another try for Crescent, a shift reply seeing them trail 22-12, into injury time Dolphin got their bonus point try, a well worked move seeing them win by 17 points.
MU Barnhall 31-12 Ballymena, Parsonstown
MU Barnhall picked up a commanding win against Ballymena this weekend, a big bonus point win a morale boost along with seeing them up to fifth spot.
They commanded the opening half leading 24-5 at the break, as Ballymena crossed for a late unconverted try just before the interval, the hosts looking comfortable and motivated for the tie
They added another converted try after the second half restart, as Ballymena looked unable to contain them in the tie, Peter Wallace managed to get their second try of the afternoon, a converted try a late consolation.
Nenagh Ormond 38-0 Rainey Old Boys, New Ormond Park
Nenagh came out the better in a bottom of the table clash with Rainey Old Boys, an easy result in the end for the hosts as they dominated the fixture from the off with the visitors looking sluggish.
They managed to lead 19-0 at half time, crossing for three unconverted tries in a fantastic opening half of rugby, the home supporters becoming the 16th man treated to a great contest.
Into the second half they managed to pick up their bonus point, another high scoring half of rugby as they added 19 further points in the second half.
UL Bohemian 17-14 Buccaneers, UL Arena
UL picked up a hard fought win over Buccaneers, as the minnows from Limerick took home the points against the third placed high flyers from Athlone.
They got off to the perfect start with a converted try at the end of the opening quarter, Oisin McCormack managed to level the tie minutes later with a well taken effort to leave it at 7-7. Will Reily put Buccs ahead by seven points as they looked comfortable.
UL replied with a try of their own but the unconverted effort, left two points between the teams as UL mounted their comeback, with just two minutes left on the clock The Students at the death, another unconverted try giving them the points in the end.
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.