Skerries continue to remain impressive in the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League Division 2C, keeping their advantage at two points, they have laid a marker down to the rest of the division.
City Of Derry 9-6 Clonmel, Judge’s Road
In a low scoring game at Judges Road, the Ulstermen managed to keep their nerve, and get the full advantage of an error riddled afternoon.
Derry kicked two penalties in the opening 20 minutes, giving a major advantage early in the fixture. Alex Sheehan slotted a penalty of his own to register the first score for a Clonmel, he reduced the lead to three in the 35th minute.
The Ulster club added a penalty just before the break to make it 9-3 at half time. After the restart from some great attacking play, Derry were penalised after sustaining the attacking pressure but could not avoid the foul, Sheehan again on hand to add the kick, the only score of the second half.
Enniscorthy 32-0 Sundays Well, Alcast Park
Enniscorthy were emphatic bonus point winners over bottom placed Sundays Well, the bonus point keeping them in touch with Skerries at the summit.
They led 17-0 at the break with a brace of tries by Ivan Jacob, as Ivan Poole added the extras and a penalty. After the restart the Wexford club again added another try, as The Well had a player sent to the bin, the unconverted try making it 22-0.
They secured the bonus point with another unconverted try minutes later, before adding the fifth and final try at the end.
Midleton 27-28 Skerries, Towns Park
A high scoring fanatic afternoon of rugby in Cork, as both clubs played an exhibition on Lee Side. Midleton got out of the blocks early adding two early tries to make it 14-0. Skerries responded with a penalty followed by a Kevin McGrath try to make it 14-8. Midleton drove however to extend their lead to 24-8 at half time.
Evan Sherlock managed to cross after the restart for the Seasiders, as they started their comeback, Paul O’Loghlen added a conversion and a penalty minutes later to cut the gap, before Midleton kicked a penalty to make it 27-18.
Just on the hour mark Kevin Mulcahy crossed over but the conversion by O’Loghlen reduced the gap to two. O’Loghlen has been a great asset to his club this year, and he landed a penalty to put his side ahead by the minimum, the win seeing them go six for six.
Omagh Academicals 17-15 Bruff, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields
A late try by Robbie Sproule helped Omagh to a two point win over Bruff this afternoon. Bruff had put the Ulster club to the sword all afternoon, but they managed to secure their second win of the year thanks to the late effort.
Bruff crossed early for a try but Kyle Beattie added a penalty to reduce the gap to two points. Neily Brown crossed for a try underneath the posts to make it 10-5. Bruff got their second try after a fumble by Omagh as they crossed to take a 12-10 lead to the break.
After the restart the Limerick club added a penalty to push the lead out to five, and as Omagh pushed for the remainder of the half and Sproule popped up late to score.
Tullamore 34-15 Bangor, Spollanstown
Tullamore picked up a fantastic win against third placed Bangor on Saturday afternoon, Tullamore securing a bonus point win as the Ulster club failed to keep their charge on the top of the table.
The Offaly club looked very impressive all afternoon, with the bonus point making it a three point gap between the clubs in 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.