Queen’s University remain the league leaders in the Men’s Energia All Ireland League Division 2A. Leading by three points after Buccaneers recorded another win this weekend, they both have the impressive Ballymena also waiting to pounce.
Ballymena 46-12 Nenagh Ormond, Eaton Park.
Ballymena remained in third place after a bonus point win over Nenagh, the home side making light work of the Tipperary club this afternoon. Tim Small had them 10-0 ahead in the opening minutes, converting his own try before adding a penalty minutes later.
A Hat Trick of tries followed for the Ulstermen, getting the bonus point in the first half, James Howe, Adam Lamont and Glenn Baille all crosses to leave the score at 29-0, Small converting two from three. The visitors crossed for a late consolation before the half time whistle sounded, trailing by 22 points at half time 29-7.
After the restart the Antrim club crossed for two more tries, Rhys Ervine and Roger McBurney crossing to leave it 41-7, Johnny Brown got their final try midway through the half, they looked to have taken their foot of the gas for the remainder of the half, another late consolation effort for the visitors the final score of the game.
Buccaneers 36-21 Rainey Old Boys, Dubarry Park.
Buccaneers keep the pressure alive on Queens University, as they secured a bonus point win this afternoon, a tough afternoon in Athlone but the Buccs keep their momentum alive near the top of the table.
Oisín McCormack crosses early for Buccs with Ruaidhri Fallon landing the conversion, Old Boys responded with their own converted try in the 23rd minute to level.
The visitors adding another converted effort to lead minutes later, but Buccs again levelled with another converted try, before a penalty gave them a three point lead.
Saul O’Carroll added their third try with the conversion making it 24-14, Shane Layden secured the bonus point midway through the second half, 31-14 as Fallon added another conversion.
The Magherafelt club replied to make it a ten point game, their third converted try of the afternoon, but Declan Adamson added the final score of the game as his try completed their home performance.
Dolphin 28-20 MU Barnhall, Musgrave Park
The woes continue again for Barnhall as they drop down to sixth place, as Dolphin picked up an impressive bonus point win this afternoon. A tightly contested game but the Cork club did enough to take the points.
An early penalty saw Barnhall lead before James Vaughan crossed with a converted effort for the hosts, making it 7-3 in the early exchanges. Barnhall replied with two quick tries to lead 15-7, before adding a third to leave it 20-7 midway through the half. James Vaughan crossed for a second converted try before the interval, leaving it 20-14 at HT.
After the restart the Cork outfit took the lead by the minimum, Barry Fitzgerald getting over to touch down, while Dary Foley was as sharp as ever from the tee. Dolphin were reduced to 14 men but Barnhall failed to make any difference, they were scoreless in the second half but Cian Scott got the bonus point with their final try of the afternoon.
Old Crescent 19-40 Cashel, Takumi Park
A recent run of fantastic form sees Cashel up to fourth in the table, as they romped to a bonus point win over Munster rivals Old Crescent this afternoon. Running over seven tries in a fantastic performance on Shannonside.
Cashel were 19-0 up midway through the opening half, they laid a marker early that would be the story for the rest of the game. The Limerick club crossed for a late try in the half, the unconverted effort reducing the lead to 14 at the interval 19-5.
After the restart the Tipperary club crossed for their fourth try to get the bonus point, it looked like it could be another long half for Crescent, but two quick converted tries later saw the Shannonsiders trail by a converted try, 26-19. Cashel finished the half with a flurry with two converted tries to end the half.
Queens University 40-8 UL Bohemian, Dub Lane
Queens cruised home to another massive win in the Division this year, their fifth bonus point of the year so far. Leading 33-3 at half time, they did the majority of the damage in the opening half, the Limerick students only managing a penalty and a try all afternoon.
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.