Clonmel lost in Derry, but had enough done to secure their AIL status for another season.

The game started out at a frantic pace. Both sides going hammer and tongs. Most of the play in and around the middle of the field.

On the 10 minute mark Derry gained a foothold in the Clonmel 22. A penalty nudged into the corner gave Derry a big platform. A rolling maul looked certain to go over. But the ball popped out and the young Clonmel winger Henry Buttimer made a high try saving tackle. It stayed 0-0.

25 minutes in Derry again in the Clonmel 22 with a scrum. After a number of infringements from Clonmel the referee awarded Derry a penalty try. 7-0 and game on.

Just before half time, Clonmels Eddie Phelan was shown red after a brutal collision. Down to 14 with a full half to go. It would be a tough ask to keep Derry at bay. The resulting penalty would be knocked over to give Derry a healthy 10-0 advantage going into the second half.

The second half started as the first had but Clonmel were starting to settle into the game. Three minutes after half time, Clonmel’s outside center Luke Hogan blocked down Derry’s Ross McLaughlins kick, and subsequently gathered the ball and crossed the whitewash for a badly needed score for the Tipperary side.

The conversion was missed and the score stood at 10-5 in Derry’s favour.

15 minutes into the second half Derry we’re penalised for a hands in the ruck offense. Clonmel’s Dylan Cadogan converted the resulting penalty to make it 10-8 going into the last quarter.

Derry kept the pressure on for the next 20 minutes with Clonmel’s defence holding firm, until on the stroke of full time they crossed the line and converted. 17-8 and unfortunately for Derry it was too little too late as the referee reached for his whistle and to the Clonmel team and supporters relief blew the full time whistle.

Clonmel survive in the AIL for another year.

Enniscorthy are champions of the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C, they claimed another impressive win this weekend while their title challengers fell short of the mark.

City of Derry 23-19 Sundays Well, Judge’s Road

City of Derry put more space between them and the relegation zone, after an impressive display over fellow relegation threatened Sundays Well.

After missing two penalties it was The Well who struck first on the half hour mark, Conor O’Brien under the posts for a 7-0 lead. 

Fabien Loughrey increased their lead to 10-0 with a penalty, Siomon Logue back from injury crossed for a crucial try, to reduce the gap to 10-7 after 35 minutes. But Loughrey made it 13-7 with another penalty.

Loughrey kicked well into a 16-7 lead shortly after the restart, but Alex McDonnell brought Derry within six with a penalty. Derry managed to take the lead off a Ross McLaughlin try, Calum O’Hagan offloading for the try.

McDonnell landed a crucial penalty in the 79th minute, to make it a 23-19 game as the Well suffered a late defeat.

Clonmel 24-25 Bruff, Ardgaoithe

Bruff inflicted further woe on Clonmels relegation right, a narrow one point win enough to give them the points. 

It was a tight contest from the off, Paul Collins kicked two penalties, either side of a Clonmel tries, as they trailed 12-6 before Clonmel hit a further try before the break, for a 17-6 HT lead.

Bruff hit the front in the second half, three quick fire tries saw them into a 25-17 lead, before Clonmel made it a one point game late on as they tried to fight for the points.

Midleton 24-8 Bangor, Towns Park

Midleton remain mid-table after an impressive showing against high flying Bangor, a result which gives them a big motivation boost for the rest of the season.

The hosts started strong with an unconverted try, but Bangor replied with a penalty. After being down to 13 men the hosts crossed for a 10-3 lead, before adding a converted try shortly after to increase their lead.

The visitors crossed for a try to help reduce the deficit, but failed to drive on in the second half as Midleton wrapped the game up with another try.

Omagh Academicals 14-17 Enniscorthy, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields

Enniscorthy put the title race to bed with a late penalty giving them the win, a result that sees them 12 clear at the top as they can enjoy the last two weekends.

They started well in the opening half, David Farrell crossed after eight minutes for a try, before Arthur Dunne added a second later for a 14-0 lead. Omagh got under the posts for a converted try to reduce the gap, as they trailed 14-7 at the break.

After a scrum penalty against Scorty, Omagh levelled the tie 14-14 as both teams had chances to seal it late on, in the end it was the late penalty for the visitors that sealed the win.

Tullamore 23-17 Skerries, Spollanstown

Skerries will have to settle for second place, after defeat to Tullamore sees them unable to claim the divisional crown this year.

The hosts pulled out a 10-0 lead early in the opening half, before Roban Mulcahy kicked a penalty to reduce the gap for Skerries. Tullamore responded with another try before a penalty before the break, had them 20-3 ahead at the interval.

They continued their scoring exploits with another penalty after the restart, eventually Skerries got their breakthrough with Cormac Murphy under the posts for a 23-10 scoreline.

Kevin McGrath added their third try later in the half, as they looked to stage a comeback trailing 23-17, they looked to have a chance late on but in the end it was defeat for The Goats.

Enniscorthy pulled out a five point lead at the top of the Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C, Skerries failed to pick up a bonus point win this weekend, and now see them behind by an extra point in the race for the title.

Bangor 24-10 Sundays Well, Upritchard Park

Bangor made no mistakes this time around after suffering a hiccup last weekend, they dispatched Sundays Well earning a bonus point win in the end, as they dominated the afternoons contest.

They started strong with two early tries helping them to a 12-7 lead, after the Well crossed for a try of their own. The visitors added a penalty to reduce the gap to just two points as they started a comeback.

Declan Horrox ran from the halfway line uncontested to cross for Bangors third try of the game, this helped them into a 19-10 lead, before Conor Lusry added the bonus point with his second try of the afternoon late in the half.

Bruff 27-38 Enniscorthy, Kilballyowen Park

Enniscorthy remain in top spot, as they continued their winning streak as they overcame Bruff this weekend. Ivan Jacob had a fantastic afternoon getting four tries in the bonus point win. 

Bruff kicked an early penalty before Scorty responded with a try to lead, Bruff crossed for their own try shortly after, before Ivan Jacob added two tries after a Bruff penalty to make it 19-13 in the visitors' favour.

The Wexford men added another try before Bruff made it 26-20 with a try of their own. Arthur and Richie Dunne both added further tries to extend their lead out to 18 points, the score reading 38-20 in their favour.

Bruff got their third try late in the second half, a consolation effort which saw them suffer an 11 point defeat in the end, the result keeping them seventh in the table.

City of Derry 14-23 Skerries, Judges Road

Skerries have to settle for second place in the table, victory keeping them on track but they now stil five points behind Enniscorthy. This is a massive blow to the early title favourites, the lack of a bonus point keeping the Seasiders adrift.

Derry started the brighter getting an early try to pull out a 7-0 lead, Oisín McKey reduced the deficit with a penalty, before Ross McAuley got over for their first try of the afternoon, to give them a 10-7 lead. McKey landed two more penalties before the half time whistle to see them 16-7 ahead at the interval.

Davey Goodman managed to cross in the corner for a try, McKey kicking another great conversion to extend their lead to 23-7. The hosts replied with their second try minutes later in the half, but they failed to press on and pressure Skerries in the end.

Clonmel 6-15 Tullamore, Ardgaoithe

Tullamore remain in fourth spot in the league this weekend, as they defeated Clonmel but results elsewhere sees them not gain any ground in the league table.

The hosts took an early 3-0 lead with nine minutes played, a penalty seeing them punish early Tullamore ill-discipline. Tullamore responded in the 24th minute with a well taken try, the conversion missing the mark, but they pulled out a 5-3 lead. They added a second just before the half time whistle, doubling their score to 10-3 at the interval.

Clonmel were down to 14 men and the visitors made sure to punish them, but they did however kick a close range penalty to reduce the gap to four points. The Offaly club did break through for a third time minutes later, crossing for another unconverted try the final score of the game.

Midleton 14-21 Omagh Academicals, Towns Park

Omagh secured back to back wins in the division this weekend, with a seven point margin over Midleton, who have now lost two on the bounce. 

The Ulstermen started the brighter, getting over for an early try to give them a 7-0 lead to keep the confidence levels high, Midleton replied with two penalties to cut the gap to just one point at the halftime break.

Into the second half it was more of the same for Omagh, they added a further two tries in a fantastic display, while the Cork club only managed a penalty and unconverted try in the second half.

Try-scoring bonuses have Enniscorthy and Skerries, at the top of the table, following the action in the opening round of Division 2C of the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League. All games will take place Saturday at 2:30pm.

Bruff will play host to Skerries, after they suffered an opening round defeat, going down 22-13 to Bangor. 

The Limerick side battled hard last weekend, Kieran O’Dwyer crossing for a try, with the rest of the points coming from the boot of Adam O’Dwyer. They will aim to remain error free this weekend.

Skerries showed their class and ability, to overcome Omagh Academicals 42-29 at Holmpatrick. A five try display from the Dublin side, in a nine try game. Skerries ended the tie by accumulating 29 unanswered points, as they finished with style and will aim for more this weekend.

City of Derry welcome league leaders Enniscorthy, to Judges Road, and will aim for a better result, as they had a losing bonus point loss to Tullamore, last weekend 23-19.

It was an eventful tie, but the Derry men failed to hold on due to multiple yellow cards, the side scoring two consolation tries late on. They will aim to be more disciplined against Scorty.

Five debutants helped Enniscorthy, to a 39-17 bonus point success against Midleton. The side picked up six tries in a dominant display at home.

Clonmel will aim for their first win, as they were held by Sundays Well last weekend 17-17. The Tipp side conceding a late try to share the spoils.

Gareth Millar was the main man for Bangor, in their 22-13 win over Bruff. The fly half kicked 17 points in the game, Conor Lusty getting their only try.

Bottom of the table Midleton, are aiming for their first point of the season, as they face Sundays Well at Towns Park.

14-man Midleton showed their qualities in the defeat at Enniscorthy, they battled hard and managed two late tries in the defeat.

Sundays Well managed to snatch a late point, as prop Evan O’Connell barged over for a late levelling try, in their tie with Clonmel.

Tyrone side Omagh Academicals will aim to finish stronger this week, as they host Tullamore at Thomas Mellon Playing Fields.

Despite scoring four tries against Skerries, the side failed to answer to a late 29 point run by the Dublin side, they will hope for a better result at home this weekend.

Tullamore on the other hand picked up their opening win last weekend, the Offaly men triumphed 23-19 at Spollanstown. A game which saw six tries and six yellow cards, six league debutants helped them secure the win.