Lane main man as Con stay top after tough battle with resurgent Shannon

IT was as coach Brian Walsh predicted – difficult – but Cork Constitution were resilient enough to secure the 26-20 victory over Shannon that was required to keep them on top of Division 1A of the All Ireland League.

Saturday’s clash was hard-fought and Shannon ‘s display a total contrast to the shocking 53-0 defeat to St Mary’s College last week. This time they fought back from a 13-3 deficit at half-time and outscored Constitution three tries to two.

Richard Lane was the major difference between the sides as he contributed 21 points to Constitution’s total of 26.

He grabbed and converted a try, converted another from Cyprian Jouve and also kicked four penalties. Jouve, the 20-year-old from Tralee, who has a French father and a Kerry mother, caused Shannon considerable problems.

Unfortunately he had to retire injured 10 minutes into the second-half , but not before he had scored a crucial try.

Shannon’s three tries came from Sean Armstrong, Mossie Lawlor and David Quinlan while Tadhg Bennett kicked a penalty and conversion.

Second placed Old Belvedere proved too much of a handful for Young Munster at Clifford Park although their 31 points total failed to yield a bonus point. They had to be happy with three tries, from Richie Leyden, Jason Riddon and Leo Auva’a. Conal Keane kicked four penalties and a conversion while Andy Dunne also added a conversion.

It was a disappointing afternoon for Dolphin at Musgrave Park as they fell by a single point (9-10) to St. Mary’s, for whom Shaun McCarthy scored the only try of the game.

McCarthy completed his side’s total with a conversion and penalty, while Barry Keeshan kicked three penalties for the home side.

Bruff hauled themselves off the bottom of division 1B table when the Cahill brothers went on a mini scoring spree at Kilballyowen Park against UL Bohemian. Eoin grabbed a try and both brothers Brian (2) and Tony kicked penalties in response to a try by Ed Kelly, a conversion and two penalties from young JJ Hanrahan.

UCC were on the receiving end of a hiding at Dubarry Park when Buccaneers romped to a 45-15 victory to push into pole position and leave the students propping up the table.

Clontarf came a cropper for the first time this season when Dungannon proved their match at Stevenson Park , and Lansdowne found a winning formula when they scored six tries and beat Galwegians 46-14 at the Aviva Stadium.

Ballynahinch edged home against Ballymena at Eaton Park and the win was enough to push them into first place in division two with UCD moving into second courtesy of a strong victory over Bective Rangers. Midleton sneaked a win over Dublin University and move into fifth place but otherwise it’s not so good for Munster clubs Old Crescent , Thomond and Clonakilty, all of whom lost and prop up the table.

In Division 3, Instonians won again and remain in top place after their 24-13 success over Rainey OB.

Sundays Well dropped a place to fourth after losing away to Naas (11-20), but Highfield had a decent 26-12 win over Wanderers.