Queens University are looking favourites at the top of the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2A, they picked up another huge win this weekend, while victory for Cashel sees them into second placed in the division, while Ballymena suffer a shock defeat to Nenagh, moving them to third.
Cashel 22-19 Old Crescent, Spafield
Cashel made it eight games unbeaten, as they left it late to beat Limerick neighbours Old Crescent this afternoon. They climb to second after a great performance.
A drop goal by Ronan McKenna had them 3-0 ahead early, before Cashel added an unconverted try to make it 5-3 after 26 minutes. McKenna landed another penalty before converting a Dan Hurley try for a 13-5 lead at half time.
McKenna extended the lead to 16-8 on 55 minutes, after making another penalty after Cashel added one of their own. The hosts brought it back to a single point with a converted try making it a one point game. McKenna added a 62nd minute penalty for a four point lea, before Cashel added a converted try in injury time to take home the win.
MU Barnhall 50-24 Dolphin, Parsonstown
Barnhall get their first win since the start of December, as they romped home to a 50-24 bonus point win over Dolphin this afternoon. Both managed a bonus point for tries in a great afternoon for scoring.
The Kildare club trailed 17-10 at half time, but worked hard to cross for four second half tries, boosting their spirits after a recent poor spell of form in the league.
Victory sees Barnhall rises up to fifth in the table after this afternoon’s events, while Dolphin remain floating outside the drop zone in seventh.
Nenagh Ormond 41-7 Ballymena, New Ormond Park
Nenagh picked up an emphatic third win as they shocked title chasers Ballymena 41-7, they now drop down to third in the table after the result, with Nenagh pushing five points between them and Rainey Old Boys.
John Hayes and Davy Gleeson crossed for two early tries for a 14-0 lead, an ideal start for the hosts. Peter Coman added a third later in the half, Fionn McGibney making no mistakes from the tee, he added another conversion after Hayes added their fourth for the bonus point before the half time break, for a 28-0 lead.
McGibney kicked a penalty after the restart a flawless afternoon for the kicker, he would miss the next one however as Evan Murphy made it 35-0. Ballymena got a consolation try to cancel it out shortly after, 31 points the margin before Nenagh capped the afternoon off with a final unconverted try.
Rainey Old Boys 3-60 Buccaneers, Hatrick Park
Buccaneers swept aside the challenge of Rainey Old Boys, the team sat bottom of the division dealt another heavy defeat this afternoon, the visitors running nine tries in the end.
Stephen Mannion crossed for a 7-0 lead after 15 minutes for the visitors, Shane Jennings helped make it 12-0 with an effort shortly after, as they looked in control. Ciaran Booth and Oisín McCormack added the third and fourth tries, in between a Rainey penalty.
Sam Illo crossed from a maul to get their fifth try of the afternoon, before Josh O’Connors try made it 43-3. Ruaidhri Fallon then added the seventh as they looked more than comfortable with a 48-3 lead.
Shane Layden crossed for the eight try in the corner, making it a 50 point game, 53-3. Layden added a second minutes later to complete the scoring with their ninth of the afternoon.
UL Bohemian 5-58 Queens University, Annacotty
The Belfast students enjoyed another high scoring bonus point win in the division, overcoming the Limerick students 58-5 on Shannonside scoring ten tries in the process.
They were looking comfortable in the opening half, pushing out a 17-0 lead after half an hour. Ben Swindlehurts sent to the bin for the Limerick side. They made it 22-0 just before the break, completing their bonus point.
They added three further tries in the second half, before Bohs managed their first score of the afternoon, to make it 41-5. The Ulstermen added two quick tries not the corner to make it 53-5, before a late effort gave them a tenth try.
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.