The top four of the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C has been confirmed, Enniscorthy, Skerries, Bangor and Tullamore will do battle, at the foot of the table Clonmel are in the relegation playoff, while Sundays Well and City of Derry fight to survive on the last day.
Bangor 26-8 Clonmel, Upritchard Park
Bangor have reduced the gap to Skerries to just three points, with a comprehensive bonus point performance this weekend, while Clonmel are confirmed for the relegation play offs.
Two quick fire tries had the hosts 12-0 up early in the opening half, before Clonmel responded first with a penalty and then an unconverted try making it a four point game at halftime.
Danny Young added the third try after the restart, to make it 19-8, before Mark Widdowsom crossed for the bonus point try to seal a great performance for the Ulstermen.
Enniscorthy 19-17 City of Derry, Alcast Park
Enniscorthy continued their impressive performance to remain at top of the table, the result not ideal for Derry as they are top points from safety.
The hosts looked comfortable taking a 12-6 lead into the interval, Niall Parker and David O’Dwyer crossing for the tries, as Derry looked impressive from the tee.
The visitors cut the deficit in half with a penalty after the restart, but Ben Kidd managed to cross for a converted try to make it 19-9, Derry landed another penalty before a late try set up drama, the conversion would have levelled the game but the kick went narrowly wide.
Skerries 37-42 Bruff, Holmpatrick
Bruff picked up a huge victory to remain in the division next season, as they crossed late to take home all the points, Skerries are guaranteed top four but could drop to third.
Bruff were the first to score, but that was followed by Ross McAuley to level the tie at 7-7. A penalty saw them lead the tie but a great converted try saw them ahead by four. Just before halftime Eoghan Carron crossed for the host’s second try, 17-14 was the score at the break.
Just after the restart Trevor Scuffil added the third try for the goats, pushing out a 10 point lead with the converted try. Bruff added a third try but an immediate response by Skerries from Oisin McKey, earned their bonus point as they pulled out a 29- 21 lead.
McKey was over again minutes later for their fifth try, as they started to control the contest but Bruff hit back, getting their own bonus point to make it 34-28. Another penalty stretched Skerries lead, but a fifth Bruff try made it a nervy final few minutes as they trailed 37-35.
Right at the death, a converted try saw Bruff into a five point lead, as they kept Skerries held up on the line, the hosts failing to add to their tally late in a fantastic game to watch for the neutrals.
Sundays Well 27-15 Midleton, Musgrave Park
Right when they needed a huge result, Sundays Well edged the Cork derby, to sit two points outside the relegation play off, but it is not guaranteed yet.
The result meant much more to the hosts, as they needed the result to stay up while Midleton were seeing out the rest of the season. It was a game the hosts controlled and will give them a boost ahead of the final game week.
Tullamore 22-20 Omagh Academicals, Spollanstown
Tullamore secured the final spot in the top four, a narrow win over Omagh seeing them guaranteed the spot, with Omagh safe to play in the division next season.
Omagh had controlled the opening half leading 13-9 at the break, a converted try enough to give the visitors a four point lead.
Despite another converted try in the second half, Omagh struggled to find the winning score as Tullamore did enough in a strong second half showing to take the points.
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.