Following another weekend of action in the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League Division 2C , Skerries are now the league leaders after a victory over title challengers Enniscorthy, meanwhile Bangor took full advantage of that tie to climb to second.
Bangor 13-11 Omagh Academicals, Upritchard Park
Bangor kept their 100% win record alive, as they got the upper hand over Ulster rivals Bangor, in the provincial derby. Trailing for the majority of the second half, a late penalty try gave the Down outfit the four points.
A pretty uneventful first half between the sides, as both scored penalties to make it 3-3 at the break, Kyle Beattie helped Omagh into a 3-0 lead, but Bangor responded straight after with one of their own. Shortly after the restart, Academicals crossed for the opening try as Scott Barr scored a beautiful chip and Chase effort to make it 8-3.
Bangor responded with another penalty, but Beattie cancelled it out with another well taken three pointer. Just as it looked like the visitors had held their resolve, the leaders were awarded a penalty try, just minutes from the end, the conversion the deciding score in a tense afternoon.
Bruff 38-15 City Of Derry, Kilballyowen Park
Bruff got their first win of the season, as they also added a bonus point, in their tie with City of Derry. A dominant opening half performance saw them lead 21-10, in difficult conditions they managed three converted tries, as Derry notched a converted try of their own and a penalty.
Shortly after the restart, Tom Quigley crossed to secure the bonus point for the Limerick outfit, they were starting to cruise away on Shannonside, adding two more tries, the latter by Mark Fitzpatrick making it 38-10.
As the clock started to tick down, the Ulstermen managed a late consolation effort, another difficult kick in awful conditions, saw the conversion fail, a massive win sees Bruff up to sixth in the table.
Clonmel 13-23 Midleton, Ardgaoithe
Corks Midleton take the Munster derby bragging rights, as they were ten point winners over Tipperary outfit Clonmel. Midleton were dominant from the off, despite an early exchange of penalties, they crossed for the opening try to make it 13-6 at the break.
After the restart Midleton remained on top, a quick three pointer extended their lead, before a second converted try made it 23-6. Clonmel added a late consolation try, Ian Cunningham crossing with Dean Slattery adding the conversion.
Skerries 20-14 Enniscorthy, Holmpatrick
The Goats handed Enniscorthy their first defeat of the season, as they now lead the Division by two points. Roman Mulcahy crossed in the fifth minute to give Skerries a 5-0 lead, Scorty replied midway through the half, as they took the lead thanks to the conversion.
It was a fantastic opening half of rugby, as Skerries crossed to take a 10-7 lead, before Enniscorthy added their second try to make it 14-10. Just before the break the seasiders got their third try of the afternoon, the conversion making it 17-14 at the interval.
The second half was a lot less open, as both teams were starting to dig in and see who broke first, just the one score in the half as Paul O’Loghlen slotted a late penalty.
Sundays Well 6-13 Tullamore, Musgrave Park
Tullamore hung on to fourth spot in the table, as they were victorious in a low scoring affair at Musgrave Park. Leading 6-3 at the break, two penalties saw them lead 6-0, before Fabian Loughrey added a three pointer of his own.
Into the second half the Offaly outfit crossed for the game’s opening try, to make it 13-3. Loughrey added another penalty in the second half, which served as a consolation score, as The Well are joint bottom.
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.