Limerick's Richmond RFC miss out in bid to gain All-Ireland League status

LIMERICK side Richmond RFC missed out in their bid to regain their Energia All-Ireland League status after suffering a 29-17 defeat to Midleton in their All-Ireland League Men’s Division 2C Promotion/Relegation play-off final at Towns Park on Saturday afternoon.

Munster Junior League champions Richmond fought back bravely after falling 14 points in arrears early in the second half to draw level with their opponents 17-17 in East Cork.

However, a run of 12 unanswered points, including two tries, ultimately helped Midleton retain their AIL Division 2C status for next season and end the Limerick's side's hopes of making a return to the league.

Home side Midleton took the lad when Stuart Lee crossed for an early try which the out-half also converted.

Richmond did reduce their appears to four points, 3-7, when out-half Tadhg Bennett landed a penalty goal towards the end of the opening quarter.

The see-saw nature of the scoring continued before half-time when the home side struck for their second try through Mark Stanton with Lee converting to stretch their advantage to 11 points at half-time, 14-3.

A penalty goal from Midleton out-half Lee saw the Cork side increase their lead to 14 points early in the second half.

The complexion of the game changed shortly afterwards when Midleton had a player yellow-carded and Richmond succeeded in taking full advantage.

Firstly, a Brian Mullins try, converted by Bennett left seven points between the sides at 17-10.

Things got even better for Richmond soon after when the Limerick side drew level as Shane Halpin dotted down with Bennett again adding the extras to tie the scores.

However, Midleton finished the game strongly to secure victory. The home side racked up a dozen unanswered points as Mark Corby and Ryan Lehane crossed for tries with Lee adding one conversion.

RICHMOND RFC: Ryan Meagher, Shane Halpin, Keelan Stephenson, Brian Mullins, Jeffrey McNamara; Tadhg Bennett, Thomas O’Brien; Nigel Clancy, Darragh Joyce, James Reeves; Conor McMahon, Barry Laffan; Graham Kirwan, Adam Somers, Eoin Hanley. Replacements: Eoin Daly, Sean Bennett, Sean O’Connell, Lee Bennett, Craig Carew, Jordan Dillon, Dillon Cotter, Ronan Kelleher.