As we head to a season break in the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2A, Queens University have one hand on the trophy with another win this weekend, as Cashel suffer their first defeat in 10 games.
Rainey Old Boys picked up a rare win to aid their relegation woes, as the final three weekends will serve up a dramatic final few results.
UL Bohemian 30-24 Nenagh Ormond, UL Arena
The Students picked up a big win over their provincial rivals Nenagh, a big statement in their bid to remain a 2A team next season. It proved to be a tight and nervy contest until the final whistle, for Nenagh they remain in ninth but look to be safe in staying up.
Nenagh crossed under the posts for a 7-0 lead early on, but captain Paul Clancy replied with a try for UL to leave the tie at 7-7, before a scrum penalty led to Harry Byrne making it a 10-7 lead. Plenty of action before the interval, Nenagh got under the posts for another converted try, before adding a third shortly after, breaking clear and running the phases for a 21-10 lead. Bohs retained the ball from their kick off and a break from Colin Ryan brought them close to the try line, the forward being patient to score to leave it 21-17 at half time.
Nenagh added to their lead after the break with a penalty, but Bohs replied with a well taken try to leave it tied 24-24, Byrne was a big leader with the boot all evening, he dissected the posts with a 40 metre penalty, for a three point cushion, before landing another just outside the Nenagh 22, to give them the six point cushion they held for the remainder for the tie.
Ballymena 26-47 Dolphin, Eaton Park
Dolphin edged out an eleven try contest with Ballymena 7-4, as they were 47-26 winners as both teams earned a bonus point for their scoring exploits. The win sees Dolphin climb to seventh in the table.
It was the perfect start for the visitors, crossing for two converted tries early on, with Ballymena left chasing from behind, Matthew Corr added a converted try to reduce the arrears. Just five minutes later Dolphin had their third try of the afternoon to make it 21-7 as we neared the break, they added the bonus point minutes later before Ross McKay crossed for the hosts’ second try, leaving it 26-14 at half time.
Minutes after the restart it was Dolphin who continued to impress, crossing for their fifth try of the afternoon, trailing 33-14 the hosts needed a miracle to comeback and win, Eoin Ritson and Rhys Ervine both crossed for tries, the latter adding their bonus point as they reduced the gap to 33-26 midday through the half. Two late converted tries were enough for Dolphin to take the points.
Buccaneers 17-24 Old Crescent, Dubarry Park
Old Crescent climbed to sixth place in the table after a hard fought away win over Buccs, in a game very much controlled by the visitors, they worked hard to secure the points as Buccaneers failed to get going until the final stages.
Dan Hurley managed to cross after just three minutes to give Crescent a 7-0 advantage, after Ronan McKenna had landed the conversion, McKenna continued to use his boot well kicking a penalty, before we had a repeat of the opening try as Hurley crossed again for a 17-0 lead. Val McDermot scored an intercept try just before the half time whistle, crossing under the posts for a 24-0 lead.
Buccs controlled the second half but it took until the hour mark for them to come alive, a converted try reducing the Crescent lead. They added a second converted try three minutes from the end as they found their rhythm, before a late penalty had the losing gap down to just seven points.
Queens University 26-15 MU Barnhall, Dub Lane
Queens University look to have one hand on the 2A title, as they have pushed out a 14 point lead at the summit with an 11 point margin over MU Barnhall. The hosts looked strong yet again as they go into a season break looking comfortable at the top.
Another bonus point win was their 12th out of 13 this season so far, as they swept Barnhall for a 21-5 lead at half time.
Banrhall replied in the second half, crossing for two unconverted efforts of their own, but Queens remained on top getting a try of their own in the second half, as they failed to struggle against Banrhall.
Rainey Old Boys 24-21 Cashel, Hatrick Park
Cashel have had their incredible winning streak ended this weekend, as Rainey Old Boys secured a massive win in their bid to avoid relegation from the 2A Division.
It is the first win since November for the Ulstermen and sees them remain at the bottom but they are six behind Nenagh as a result, the final three weekends will be full of drama at the foot of the table.
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.