Three crucial playoff AIL wins for Limerick sides but Young Munster lose semi final

YOUNG MUNSTER'S bid to reach the All-Ireland League (AIL) Division 1A ended in heartbreak after a 13-12 loss to Clontarf in the semi-final at Castle Avenue.

The Cookies lead 9-6 going into the final 20 minutes but Dylan Donnellan's try proved crucial in sending the champions back into another final. Elsewhere, there were wins in the respective promotion/relegation semi-finals for Shannon, UL Bohemian and Bruff .

Conor Hayes had a chance to put Young Munster ahead from the kicking tee but pushed his shot at goal to the right and Clontarf took full advantage moments later when Tadhg Bird sent a kick between the posts to put his side in front.

Hayes made amends, however, on 16 minutes to level the game and Young Munster began to grow into the game. Both sides struggled to adapt to the wet conditions but Bird nudged 'Tarf in front again with another penalty won at a scrum on the half hour.

Young Munster were handed another opportunity to level after Matt D'Aarcy's high tackle on Ronan O'Sullivan but missed the target for a second time.

Another penalty arrived for Munster's as the half drew to a close but a knock on after Hayes kicked to the corner saw that opportunity missed. 

However, the Young Munster full back did nail another opportunity right on the half time whistle to leave the score at 6-6 heading into the break.

Another penalty won by O'Sullivan at ruck time gave Hayes the opportunity to put the Cookies ahead for the first time and he obliged with an excellent kick from all of 40 metres.

Munster's dominated the opening 15 minutes of the half and looked in a good position when 'Tarf were reduced to 14 men following successive penalties.

However, that seemed to give the home side a lift and took advantage of a couple of scrum penalties to put Munster's on the back foot.

Pressure eventually told for Gearoid Prendergast's side and Dylan Donnellan crossed for his 21st try of the season to put them in front. A Bird conversion then put 'Tarf 13-9 ahead on 62 minutes.

Hayes responded with another penalty for Young Munster that cut the gap to just one point heading into the final 10 minutes but it was 'Tarf that held on for the win that sees them into the Division 1A Final.

Shannon remain on course to stay in Division 1A after they saw off Old Wesley's challenge at Thomond Park's back pitch to win 24-6 in their relegation/promotion playoff.

Two Ian Cassidy penalties had Shannon 6-0 down in the early stages of the half but they turned things around with two tries, one of which was converted by Mike Cooke, to go into the break 12-6 in front.

They doubled their advantage with two more tries in the second half, one of which came from Josh Costello. Cooke added another conversion to seal the win.

UL Bohemian tasted victory in their Division 2A clash with Sligo in Annacotty with Harry Byrne's late penalty seeing them to a 16-14 winning margin.

Bohs made a superb start to their game with Ignacio Garcia crossing for an early try that was converted by Byrne to put them 7-0 in front.

The Bohs out half then landed a penalty on 20 minutes to stretch the advantage to 10 points but a converted try for Sligo saw their advantage cut to three points but another Byrne penalty saw the Limerick side 13-7 ahead at the break.

Sligo made a solid start to the second half and took the lead with Bohs down to 14 with a converted try but a late Byrne kick helped the Limerick side to a 16-14 victory.

Bruff also got a victory after they beat Galwegians at Crowley Park in their Division 2C relegation/promotion playoff. Theyedged a tight first half with Galwegians and with the Galway side down to 14 men, the south Limerick side were awarded a penalty try that saw them 7-0 to the good.

The Galway side responded with an early second half try but Tom Quigley kept up his recent fine form with a score that saw Bruff seven points to the good a couple of minutes later.

A converted try by Pa Maher then had them 19-5 to the good in the second half. Galwegians did get another try but a fourth from Bruff saw them home to an impressive 24-12 win.