Enniscorthy look to be provisional champions as we head to a season break, they now lead the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C by nine points with another high scoring win this weekend, while Skerries remain in pursuit as they also had a big victory.
Bangor 41-25 City of Derry, Upritchard Park
Bangor picked up another impressive win, dispatching their fellow Ulster counterparts by 16 points this weekend. Another strong showing by the team sat third in the division, picking up another bonus point
They started the better as Shay Storey ran clear to score the opening try, with Gareth Millar making it a 7-0 lead after a few minutes. Derry replied with a well taken unconverted try of their own, before Ben Parker crossed for their second converted try to extend their lead to 14-5.
Derry worked hard and managed to intercept a Bangor attack,running the length of the field to cross reducing the gap to four points, Ben Young made it 19-10 at the break with a great score to leave a gap between them as Bangor were against it late on.
A penalty and converted try had Derry leading 20-19 shortly after the restart, but Young provided them with a second try to lead 24-20, Mark Widdowsom also crossed for a 29-20 lead as they looked back on form, both exchanged unconverted tries before Ally McIvor scored their final try in a quality afternoon of scoring.
Bruff 33-22 Midleton, Kilballyowen Park
Victory for Bruff this weekend has but more breathing room, on their chances of facing relegation with the 11 point winning margin a perfect way to head to a season break.
Paul Collins crossed for an early try to give Bruff a 7-0 lead, before adding a penalty to make it 10-0 in the early stages. Midleton replied with a penalty and then crossed for a converted try to level.
Bruff finished the half with style as Collins added another penalty, before they added another converted try, and Collins replied with his third penalty for a 23-10 half time lead.
After the restart Midleton looked strong crossing for two further tries, the latter being converted as they trail 23-22, Collins put Bruff four clear with another penalty as they were up against it early in the half, they replied with another well taken converted try to seal the win late on.
Enniscorthy 41-14 Tullamore, Alcast Park
League leaders Enniscorthy continued their dominance of the division, with a commanding bonus point win over high flying Tullamore.Ivan Poole kicked Scorty into a 3-0 lead before James Doyle crossed to extend their lead to 10-0.
Poole kicked another penalty before Ivan Jacob made it 20-0, with another great try. Nick Doyle was the next Scorty player to cross, giving them a 27-0 lead. Jacob managed to cross for the bonus point try into the second half, giving them a 34-0 lead.
Tullamore only started to come into the tie shortly after, crossing for their first converted try of the afternoon, before doubling their tally shortly after with a second try. Jacob wrapped up the scoring with his third try of the afternoon, another converted try finishing a strong afternoon.
Skerries 40-14 Clonmel, Holmpatrick
Skerries picked up another high scoring win this weekend, as they kept the pressure on Enniscorthy at the top of the table. They sit nine off the leaders, but any drop in points could see them lift the crown.
Oisin McKey got Skerries off the mark after five minutes, a lovely cross field kick from Paul O’Loghlen stretched the Clonmel defence for a 7-0 lead. Ross McAuley added their second try of the afternoon with a try of a line out, the final act of the first half giving them a 12-0 lead.
Clonmel showed great intensity after the restart, adding their opening try minutes later to reduce the deficit to 12-7. Sam Deering crashed over the line from a short scrum for a 19-7 lead as the conversion was accurate. Ross Halligan added another big try for the hosts, making it a 26-7 point game.
Kieran Leonard added their next try, sidestepping to finish off with excellent continuity and offloading from deep, another great conversion for a 33-7 advantage. Ronan Mulcahy continued their scoring exploits, crossing under the posts for a 40-7 lead, Clonmel added a late consolation try late on.
Sundays Well 46-12 Omagh Academicals, Musgrave Park
The Well picked up a huge win to boost their hopes of not facing relegation, sending them up to eight in the table.
Well looked comfortable all afternoon, building up a 20-5 lead at the break, the best of the tries coming from Dennis Hurley, as he managed to get over in the corner for the try.
Into the second half and it remained one way traffic for the Well, despite a converted try for Omagh in the half, Sundays Well pushed on to continue their scoring exploits, a 34 point winning margin in the end.
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.