Deasy’s stunner helps Con to morale-boosting triumph
The Munster Academy utility back’s second-half effort from near halfway proved the crucial seven-pointer, after his goalkicking, plus a Richie Lane try, had left the sides tied at 10-10, with Ronan O’Mahony’s try and five points from the boot of Conor Murray coming in reply.
Gerry Hurley’s penalty set up a grandstand finale, but Brian Walsh’s side held out for a morale-boosting victory.
Shannon also halted their recent slide, scoring five tries in a 38-19 win over bottom-of-the-table neighbours UL Bohemian.
Tries from Richie Mullane and Mossie Lawler helped Shannon to a 13-9 interval lead, but they pulled away after the break as David Quinlan, Andrew Finn and Jason Cronin all touched down, with Cian Aherne and Danny Riordan replying for Bohs.
The top tier’s increasing competitiveness was once more in evidence at Castle Avenue, where Martin Dufficy kicked Clontarf to a 9-3 win over previously unbeaten Blackrock College.
UCC’s upward mobility continued in Division 1B, where they saw off Dungannon 20-3 at The Mardyke thanks to tries from James Ryan and Shane O’Sullivan, with former Ireland U20 out-half Andrew Burke contributing the rest of their points from the boot.
Old Belvedere survived a second-half rally from Ballymena to secure a 28-21 win at Anglesea Road that saw them extend their lead at the top to four points. Recent Ireland call-up Fergus McFadden starred for Belvo, claiming an 18-point haul, and his side led 22-11 at the break.
But the northerners, buoyed by the sharpshooting of David O’Hara, rallied and were only denied a shot at a draw by a late knock-on.
Young Munster put in their best shift of the league campaign to date to swat aside Ballynahinch 33-5.
Ballynahinch had a mountain to climb at half-time, having leaked tries to centre Clem Casey and the industrious Neville Melbourne.
Losing 21-0 at that stage, all ‘Hinch could muster was an unconverted second half try from centre Stuart Morrow as they fell to their third defeat in Division 1B.
With Prendergast supplying two drop goals and centre Matthew Costelloe booting two conversions and a penalty, a prized bonus point was secured when wingers Derek Corcoran and Aaron Carroll sped through for further tries.
The Connacht bragging rights went to Buccaneers after their 15-8 victory over Galwegians, with tries in each half from South African fly-half JH Potgieter and player-coach Colm Rigney doing the damage.
Lansdowne are still in command of Division 2 having seen off Terenure College 23-3 at Lakelands, but Bruff claimed the win of the weekend with a 24-12 dismissal of UCD.
Thomond have lost ground on the leaders after being held to a 26-all draw by Highfield, while Clonakilty’s 9-6 win over Dublin University got their campaign off the mark.
Midleton are the new leaders in Division 3 after spanking County Carlow 43-11, while Sunday’s Well recorded a notable 25-10 win over Ards.
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