Old Belvedere find the going tough

LIFE in the fast lane is proving difficult for Ulster Bank champions Old Belvedere, as their Dublin rivals Clontarf and league specialists Shannon set the early pace.

A third successive defeat to Lansdowne leaves them struggling near the foot of the table with only three losing bonus points a source of consolation.

Former Constitution winger Richie Lane kicked Clontarf to victory against Garryowen at Dooradoyle, his three penalties proving to be invaluable contribution.

Shannon, under player-coach Stephen Keogh, have also hit the ground running after an ODM Munster Cup defeat to Bruff. At Thomond Park on Saturday it wasn’t all positives against St Mary’s, who scored the only try of the game, but the home side secured their third win through the boot of Gareth Quinn-McDonagh, who kicked four penalties and a David O’Donovan drop goal. Rob Sweeney got the sole try for the visitors and Gavin Dunne kicked two penalties to help his side to a losing bonus point.

With Clontarf and Shannon on 12 points each at the top, Young Munster are trailing them just two points further back thanks to a bonus point win away to Blackrock College, 37-13.

Matthew Costello scored two tries while Darragh O’Neill had another and the bonus point was secured through a penalty try. Willie Staunton converted all four tries, two penalties and a drop goal.

In fourth are Cork Constitution, whose Friday night success over Dolphin (17-10) was hard fought. But, having lost at home to Shannon, it was a step back in the right direction.

“We took our chances, scored three very good tries but I was disappointed with the way we started the second half after what I thought was a comfortable first half in defence,” said coach Brian Walsh.

“We hadn’t much possession in the first half but made it pay when we got into their territory. However we gave away our momentum in the spell after half time, leaked a very soft try.”

But Walsh was happy to see his side bounce back up the table. “We’re now back in the ball park and the thing about this league is that it’s all about consistency. You’ve got to bang out results and see where you are at Christmas. The next two matches – against Garryowen away and Clontarf at home — are going to be big; we’ll know a lot more about ourselves after those,” he said.

Ballynahinch and Buccaneers are forcing the pace in Division 1B, while DLSP, Queens and Corinthians take top spots in Division 2A. Cashel have done well to take up leadership spot in Division 2B ahead of Rainey Old Boys, Connemara and Nenagh Ormond, with Sunday’s Well also hovering in the promotion area.