Sundays Well live to fight another day in the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C, as they needed a late winner to take all four points, the result will now see City of Derry against Clonmel in the relegation playoffs
Bruff 22-38 Bangor, Kilballyowen Park
Bangor continued their recent good run of form, with another hard fought win this weekend over bruff, a great indication of what teams can expect from them in the Semi Final.
It was a tight opening half between the two sides, Shay Storey put the visitors ahead 7-0 early in the half, Bruff responded with an unconverted try to cut the margin to two points, before Gareth Millar kicked a penalty to see them lead 10-5 at half time.
Paddy Dobbie added a converted effort after the restart to see them ahead by seven points, Dobie added a second try before Shay Storey got the bonus point try minutes later, they controlled the tie 31-5. Bruff added two quick tries to reduce the gap but Charlie Clegg crossed for the fifth shortly after, but a late converted consolation try saw Bruff reduce the arrears.
City of Derry 49-28 Tullamore, Judge’s Road
City of Derry will have to survive the relegation playoff, if they want to remain an AIL team despite a big win on the final day scoring seven converted tries, due to a late Well penalty mathematically they narrowly missed out on safety.
In a game where Derry needed a win to guarantee their survival, they laid down a mark in the opening half, leading 21-15 at half time, they scored three of their tries in that opening period.
Tullamore replied well in the second half, levelling matters 21-21 before Derry took the lead again with their bonus point try, it remained tight between them despite another Derry try Tullamore hit back 35-28, but two more tries late on sealed the win for Derry, but a one point difference to Well sees them remain ninth.
Clonmel 24-25 Sundays Well, Ardgaoithe
Sundays Well survive in Division 2C after an impressive showing over Clonmel, but a late penalty was the lifeline that sees them keep their status as an AIL club with the result.
Clonmel looked a composed outfit as they commanded the opening half to lead 19-8, they went behind early but three quick tries had them controlling the tie at the interval.
Well went under the posts to cross for a crucial early score after the restart, trailing by four they were now in with a chance, but the hosts hit for another try, but the missed conversion not giving them a full advantage, indeed they cut the gap to two points later in the half after another try, but late drama as they kicked a penalty to win the contest by the minimum.
Midleton 24-29 Enniscorthy, Towns Park
Enniscorthy were enjoying their opening half against Midleton, they looked like a dominant force worthy of their place top of the table, Niall Parker and Liam Stamp added two tries in the opening ten minutes to lead 14-0, after this Nick Doyle added a third before Midleton got on the board just before the break, trailing 21-5.
The visitors may have won the tie in the end but they had a dismal second half, as Midleton would only lose by five points in the end, a yellow card saw Midleton cross for their second after the break, despite a penalty for Scorty the visitors pounced for a converted try to make it 24-17. Michael Farrell added the bonus try for the visitors late in the half, but Midelton responded again with a converted try, but could not snatch something late on.
Omagh Academicals 21-22 Skerries, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields
Skerries narrowly managed to claim a final day win thanks to a Ronan Mulcahy penalty, as Omagh looked to have snatched victory with two late penalties, but Skerries hold on and meet Bangor in a few weeks
Skerries looked strong from the off but could do little to shake off Omagh in the tie, they were within two points for the majority of the opening half, as both managed tries but Skerries missed the conversion, Ross Halligan hit the breakthrough score just before half time as they were 12-7 ahead and had some breathing room.
Omagh made the visitors work for it in the second half, after Skerries crossed for an unconverted try, it was Omagh who replied with two converted tries to lead 21-19 toward the end of the half, but Mulcahy landed a late pressure kick to take the win for his side.
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.