Just two Limerick wins on dramatic day of All-Ireland League action

THERE were just two Limerick wins on a dramatic afternoon of Energia All-Ireland League action on Saturday.

In Division 1A, Young Munster remain in the top four play-off places despite suffering a 27-24 defeat to Clontarf at Castle Avenue. Crucially fourth-placed Munsters' picked up two bonus points from their trip to Dublin to sit two points in front of fifth-placed Ballynahinch.

Also in Division 1A, free-scoring Shannon recorded one of the two Limerick wins as the league resumed after a two week break when scoring a precious 43-17 bonus point victory over Dublin University at Thomond Park.

Despite the five point haul from the game, ninth-placed Shannon remain in the relegation play-off position, two points off eighth-placed UCD.

Meanwhile, also in the top flight, Garryowen's hopes of pulling off their own version of 'the Great Escape' grew even more slim as the bottom-placed Light Blues fell to a crushing 52-12 defeat to UCD at Belfield.

The result sees Garryowen, who have won just one of their AIL fixtures this season, sit 18 points off the relegation play-off position and 20 points behind UCD in eighth. There are now just five series of AIL regular season fixtures to come. 

Meanwhile, in Division 2A, seventh-placed Old Crescent fell to a comprehensive 28-7 defeat at the hands of Nenagh Ormond at New Ormond Park.

The result has seen Crescent lie 13 points off the promotion play-off places.

Also in 2A, UL-Bohemian boosted their survival hopes after recording a comprehensive 31-19 bonus point victory over QUB at UL North Campus.

While the Red, Red Robins continue to prop up the 2A table, they have drawN level on points with 9th placed Dolphin, who occupy the relegation play-off position. Both sides are a full 12 points behind eighth-placed Ballymena.

In Division 2C, Bruff suffered a 19-33 defeat to high-flying table toppers Instonians at Kliballyowen Park.

The result sees Bruff remain in fifth place in the table, seven points behind Clonmel who occupy the last of the promotion play-off places.

In Division 1A, Young Munster had their two game winning run ended by new table toppers Clontarf at Castle Avenue.

Munsters', who led 12-10 at half-time, raced into a 12-0 lead early on with tries from Steve Lyons and Conor Hayes, with Evan Cusack adding a conversion.

'Tarf hit back with two converted tries in the third quarter to race into a 27-12 lead. To their credit Munsters' hit back with a try from Jack Lyons which was also converted for 27-19.

The Munsters' revival continued when Hayes crossed for his second try of the contest to leave three points between the sides at 27-24.

'Tarf ultimately held on to record a bonus point victory, with Munsters' picking up two precious points in their battle to make the play-offs.

Also in 1A, Shannon racked up seven tries in recording a thumping 26-point victory over Dublin University in the Parish side's battle to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Shannon led 10-5 at half-time on Thomond Park's back pitch, with first half tries from Lee Nicholas and Jordan Prenderville.

The Parish side took a firm grip on the game in the second half adding further tries from Luke Rigney, Dan Hurley, a second for Jordan Prenderville, while Daniel Okeke also touched down, while Shannon were also awarded a penalty try late on in a comprehensive victory.

Next up for Shannon is a crucial Limerick derby meeting with great rivals Garryowen at Dooradoyle on Saturday next.

Basement side Garryowen face into that game on the back of a heavy 40-point defeat to UCD at Belfield Bowl.

Garryowen, who scored their first win of the campaign against Lansdowne last time out, trailed 0-26 to the free-scoring students at half-time in Dublin, while UCD added a further 26 points in the second half. Garryowen did reply with 12 points of their own, through tries from Sean Rennison and Neil Cronin, while Tony Butler added a conversion.

In Division 2A, Old Crescent left themselves with a mountain to climb when trailing hosts Nenagh Ormond 0-21 in North Tipperary.

Crescent did hit back with a try from Jack O'Mahony, converted by Ronan McKenna, to cut the deficit to 14 points, 7-21.

A late John Hayes try sealed the bonus point for Nenagh as Crescent were unable to take anything from their latest away fixture.

Next up for Old Crescent is a Limerick derby meeting with UL-Bohemian at Takumi Park on Saturday next.

UL-Bohs will arrive in Rosbrien in upbeat mood following their exciting victory over third-placed Queen's University.

Home side UL-Bohemian, who are bottom of the table by virtue of their inferior points difference, led Queen's 21-12 at half-time at ULs North Campus. 

The Red, Red Robins, raced into a 14-0 lead with two early tries, including a five-pointer off a well-executed maul, while Darragh O’Gorman added a second. Harry Byrne converted both, while he also added the extras to Paul Clancy's try for the home side.

After QUB hit back to reduce their arrears to nine points, 12-21, by the interval, UL-Bohs regained the initiative with a try from Ihechi Oji which secured the bonus point. 

A Harry Byrne penalty rounded off the scoring for the home side who celebrated a maximum five-point haul at full-time.

Meanwhile, in Division 2C, Bruff trailed high-flying Instonians 0-19 at half-time. The visitors moved 33-0 to the good after the restart with two further tried before Bruff opened their account.

The South Limerick side, who face a trip to Ballina next weekend, scored 19 points in all courtesy of tries from Craig Finn, Ross O'Brien-May and Sean Hartigan. Paul Collins added two conversions.

Energia All-Ireland League Results:

Saturday, February 18 –

DIVISION 1A:

Ballynahinch 10 Terenure 8, Ballymacarn Park
Clontarf 27 Young Munster 24, Castle Avenue
Lansdowne 25 Cork Constitution 19, Aviva Stadium Back Pitch
Shannon 43 Dublin University 17, Thomond Park
UCD 52 Garryowen 12, College Park

DIVISION 1B:

City of Armagh 34 Banbridge 12, Palace Grounds
Malone 17 Old Wesley 17, Gibson Park
Old Belvedere 22 Highfield 7, Ollie Campbell Park
St. Mary’s College 20 Naas 27, Templeville Road
UCC 10 Buccaneers 19, The Mardyke

DIVISION 2A:

Cashel 10 Dolphin 10, Spafields
MU Barnhall 31 Ballymena 14, Parsonstown
Navan 21 Blackrock College 31, Balreask Old
Nenagh Ormond 28 Old Crescent 7, New Ormond Park
UL Bohemian 31 Queens 19, UL Arena

DIVISION 2B:

Belfast Harlequins 20 Enniscorthy 14, Deramore Park
Galway Corinthians 21 Dungannon 24, Corinthian Park
Malahide 23 Galwegians 7, Estuary Road
Rainey Old Boys 14 Greystones 19, Hatrick Park
Sligo 13 Wanderers 12, Hamilton Park

DIVISION 2C:

Bruff 19 Instonians 33, Kliballyowen Park
Clonmel 34 Ballina 12, Ardgaoithe
Midleton 37 Bangor 29, Towns Park
Omagh Academicals 17 Skerries 22, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields
Sundays Well 11 Tullamore 27