Clontarf maintain league challenge

CLONTARF kept up their challenge for AIB league honours when they proved too strong for Buccaneers at Castle Avenue on Saturday.

Dungannon were unceremoniously dumped from third to fifth spot in the table when they failed to score as champions Shannon romped to a 31-0 victory at Thomond Park.

Andrew Thompson once again led the scoring charge to remind the national selectors of his talents.

Andrew Finn, another member of that Ireland squad, weighed in with one of Shannon’s other tries.

Clontarf are now the only non-Munster team hanging on to a place in the top four. Shannon jumped from fifth to second and UL Bohemian, despite a loss to Garryowen, and remain in the group in third position.

At the other end of the table, Belfast Harlequins had a much-needed win when they accounted for St. Mary’s at Deramore Park, but UCD also managed to win away to Galwegians, so the fight continues to avoid relegation.

Buccaneers and St. Mary’s both lost and are now also in the drop zone in a slightly less favourable positions than Dolphin, who had to be happy with a losing bonus point away to Terenure.

In division two, Old Belvedere strengthened their hand with a powerful victory over Barnhall at Anglesea Road. Greystones, with a game in hand, appear to be closing fast after they registered a facile 56-10 win over Malone. Assuming they win that extra game, they have a superior points difference to Belvedere, so there should be plenty of interest in that two-club battle for the title in the coming weeks.

Clonakilty are third but 11 points adrift. After being held to a draw by Young Munster, it seems their chances of promotion are now all but gone.

Midleton at least got an important victory at Towns Park. The 21-17 win against DLSP gives them some hope of overhauling the Leinster side in the coming weeks and of avoiding relegation.

Wanderers showed no mercy to leaders Ballynahinch in the third division top of the table clash at Lansdowne Road. Wanderers won that match by 42 points to 13 and are now just a point adrift of the Ulster club.

Sundays Well secured just their second win of the campaign — an important result away to City of Derry.

Portadown remain rooted to the bottom after their twelfth straight defeat at home to Waterpark, while Sunday’s Well pulled four points clear of Derry after the weekend’s 21-10 victory.