AIL review: Old Belvedere edge way to summit after rivals lose

The ultra-competitive fare in Ulster Bank League Division 1A has seen Old Belvedere edge their way to the summit.

Just four points separate the top six sides who can now draw breath during a two-week break in fixtures.

Benefiting from Lansdowne and Young Munster’s away defeats, Belvo have moved from third to first thanks to Willie Staunton shooting Terenure College down with a six-penalty salvo on Friday night.

Munsters had Dan Goggin and Cian Bohane in their midfield against Dublin University on Saturday, but the students have a gem of their own in young centre Michael Courtney, whose classy injury-time try secured a rousing 32-27 bonus point win at College Park.

Colm Hogan and Courtney both scored their third tries of the campaign as promoted Trinity climbed into second place, a point ahead of the Cookies.

Rob Keogh’s right boot came to Clontarf’s rescue again as his injury-time drop goal edged them past Garryowen (16-14) at Castle Avenue. Matt D’Arcy and Munster’s Alex Wootton scored two eye-catching tries from inside their own half. Second half tries from forwards Kevin Sheahan and Cathal O’Flaherty steered St. Mary’s College to their first win in three outings — a 19-13 win over UCD at Belfield.

Meanwhile, a late penalty from Rick McKenna maintained UL Bohemians’ run at the top of Division 1B, as they claimed a hard-fought 27-23 success against Galwegians in Glenina. Brian Walsh pocketed one of Bohs’ three tries, a tally matched by improving ‘Wegians who had influential Connacht prop Conan O’Donnell stretchered off in the second half.

UL’s talismanic scrum-half Cathal Sheridan also picked up an injury. Centre James Beattie crossed for two tries as Ballymena came from behind to defeat Dolphin 24-16 at Eaton Park.

Connacht Academy prop Saba Meunargia made a try-scoring return from injury as Buccaneers ran out six-try 49-36 winners over UCC at Dubarry Park. There was another free-scoring contest at Donnybrook where Old Wesley and Ballynahinch shared out eight tries, and two closing penalties from Wesley winger Barry McLaughlin proved decisive in a 35-32 victory.

Shannon are rooted to the bottom of the table after tumbling to a 14-10 home defeat at the hands of Naas, who had second-half tries from winger Rob O’Connor and player-coach Johne Murphy.