Enniscorthy have pushed their lead in the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C, out to nine points with a hard fought victory over title rivals Skerries, wins for Bangor and Tullamore keeps them both on their title for a challenge at the divisional silverware.
City of Derry 31-24 Bruff, Judge’s Road
City of Derry overturned a 17-10 half-time deficit against Bruff, to keep alive their hopes of avoiding an end of season relegation play-off and the prospect of losing their senior status.
Substitutes CJ Cregan and Darragh Gill stole the show with two late tries, to bring a crucial bonus point victory that moved Derry up two spots to eighth in the AIL Division 2C table.
Bruff to their credit looked a strong team and had been in control of the contest, but the late scores by Derry seemed to see the visitors panic and as a result they ended up on the losing side.
Enniscorthy 27-15 Skerries, Alcast Park
In a massive contest at the top of the table, it was the league leaders who came out on top, managing a 12 point win in the end after a strong showing all afternoon.
James Doyle gave them the ideal start as he ran clear from halfway to touch down, Ivan Poole added the extras for a 7-0 lead. Poole made it 10-0 shortly after, before Skerries replied with an unconverted try.
Poole added a second penalty of the afternoon, before a bounce of the ball aided Nick Doyle to take the ball in from half way and score, the conversion making it a 20-5 game. Ivan Jacob added their third try finishing off a great team effort, before Skerries added two unconverted tries late on to wrap up the contest.
Midleton 14-0 Clonmel, Towns Park
Midleton picked up a comfortable win over Clonmel this weekend, the visitors not getting on the scoreboard in a game that saw all scores coming in the opening half.
The hosts took the lead after 16 minutes, the first of three penalties finding their target, the latter making it a 9-0 game before the half hour mark, they added a try before the break as he crossed in the corner.
Midleton took a 14-0 lead into the second half, but neither team could add to the board, a slow second half that neither team could get going as Clonmel remained near the bottom of the table.
Omagh Academicals 15-22 Bangor, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields
Bangor picked up another bonus point, in an impressive showing against fellow Ulster opposition Omagh. Bangor lead early and the five points sees them sit behind Skerries on the same value.
They took a 12-7 lead to the break, as their two tries to the one converted effort by Omagh aided them to some breathing room, two further unconverted efforts pushed them even further in front in the half.
They amassed a 22-7 lead midway through the half, before Omagh replied with a penalty and unconverted try to leave seven between them, but they failed to advance late on falling short again.
Tullamore 29-14 Sundays Well, Spollanstown
Tullamore ended the impressive last two weekends of The Well, picking up a 15 point margin in the end as they looked in control for the majority of the contest.
The win keeps Tullamore in fourth position in the table, they sit four behind Bangor in the table, the win a boost in confidence as Well look to be in danger of relegation.
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.