UCD win with late try

County Carlow 22 UCD 29

County Carlow almost slumped to bottom spot in the AIB League Division One standings as they conceded a late try to UCD's Stephen Grissing in the students' 29-22 triumph at Oak Park.

Ireland Under-21 Grissing grabbed his second of the match in the closing minutes to chalk up a meaningless bonus point win for the former leaders, but plunge Carlow closer to a relegation-promotion play-off with Division Two side UCC.

News soon filtered through that Lansdowne and Dublin University had drawn at headquarters, leaving the former to fight for their top flight status rather than the midlanders.

It looked far from good for Ray Ward's side in the first half as Grissing and centre Ken Kennedy nipped in for UCD tries and a 15-6 half-time lead.

Carlow fly-half Richie Murphy had kicked two penalties. He added three more in the second half, and allied to Padraig Brennan's sole try for the home side, Ward's men levelled things up at 22-22 with ten minutes to go, and UCD scrum-half Cillian Willis on target for the visitors.

Grissing sent hearts aflutter late on, but Carlow are secure for next season's 16-team top tier.