AIL Review: UCD edge out Garryowen and move top of table

UCD may have been in free-scoring form of late in Ulster Bank League Division 1A, but they showed their ability to win a tight contest when coming from behind to defeat Garryowen 13-6 at Dooradoyle on Saturday.

Noel McNamara’s students now top the table, taking advantage of Clontarf’s draw with Lansdowne, as second- half tries from hooker Sean McNulty and scrum-half Jamie Glynn proved crucial.

UCD were unable to take advantage of a strong first-half wind, penalties from Neil Cronin giving Garryowen a 6-3 half-time buffer. Leinster’s Ross Byrne sandwiched in a place-kick for the visitors, and early pressure on the restart saw hooker McNulty pile over from a rolling maul. Glynn, a former Garryowen player, sealed the result for UCD with a 79th minute unconverted try.

At Crowley Park, Connacht squad member Shane O’Leary made the most of his late inclusion in the Galwegians team as his 18-point haul, including a try, helped them beat Ballynahinch 33-16.

Lansdowne captain Scott Deasy converted Joe O’Brien’s late try to secure a 23-23 draw with Clontarf in a super-charged clash at the Aviva Stadium. ‘Tarf will be kicking themselves as a lapse in discipline saw their Leinster hooker Aaron Dundon sent-off and lock Tom Byrne sin-binned, with the 13 men — defending a 23-16 lead — unable to prevent Lansdowne flanker O’Brien from going over.

Experienced full-back Daniel Riordan’s brace of tries drove Old Belvedere to a hard-fought 19-17 win against Cork Con at Anglesea Road, while Ireland Sevens international Gearóid Lyons scored a try, two conversions and four penalties as in-form Young Munster beat Terenure College 26-8 at Lakelands Park.

Shannon are up to fifth in Division 1B after coming from behind to beat Dolphin 30-19 at Coonagh. A penalty try, and a late effort from converted scrum-half David O’Donovan, sealed the bonus point triumph.

Martin Irwin and Rodger McBurney kicked brilliant drop goals as second-placed Ballymena battled their way to a 15-6 win over UL Bohemians.

Five-try Blackrock College survived a secon-half fightback from bottom side Belfast Harlequins, winning 36-32 at rain-soaked Stradbrook. Forwards Mikey Carroll, Conor Kilcoyne and Joe Scott-Lennon were among their try scorers.

The Dublin University juggernaut rolled on at Dubarry Park where they finished strongly to pocket a 27-6 bonus point win over disappointing hosts Buccaneers and climb into third.

St. Mary’s stayed top of Division 1B with a 19-9 win over Old Wesley at Templeville Road.