AIB League round-ups

Greystones 18 Clonakilty 14, Dr. Hickey Park

Clonakilty's bid to become Division Two champions, just twelve months after they took the Division Three title, was ended at Dr Hickey Park this afternoon by a hungry Greystones side.

Already assured of promotion back to the top flight, 'Stones did well to come from behind, when playing into the wind in the second half, to beat Clon 18-14 and book their place in next Saturday's final at Templeville Road.

A well-taken try from experienced winger Ronan Carroll saw the Wicklow men take a 7-0 lead into the break, but Clon hit back quickly with two Gary Cribb penalties.

An unconverted try from centre Paul Dillon nudged the vistors into a 11-7 lead, but Cribb then missed a kickable penalty and 'Stones, the Division Three champions in 2005, took their cue.

Out-half James Power took his tally for the league campaign to 116 points by kicking two penalties and converting Carroll's second try. While the backs took the scoring plaudits, 'Stones had two match-winners in back rowers Greg Herrera and John O'Beirne, who put in a massive effort in defence and attack.

Scorers: Greystones: Tries: Ronan Carroll 2; Con: James Power; Pens: James Power 2

Clonakilty: Try: Paul Dillon; Pens: Gary Cribb 3

Div Two semi-final:

Old Belvedere 23 Young Munster 21, Anglesea Road

Table-toppers Old Belvedere were in danger of missing out on a place in the Division Two final this afternoon, but Mike O'Donovan's side came with a second half charge to pip Young Munster 23-21 at Anglesea Road.

It was agony for the Cookies as a try, five minutes into injury-time, propelled 'Belvo into next weekend's decider, which will be an all-Leinster affair as Greystones won the other semi-final.

Munsters looked on course for a shock win, considering Belvedere came into today's game on the back of a 14-match winning streak in the league.

Tries from wingers Derek Corcoran and Darren Classens, allied to five points from the boot of full-back Mark Connolly, had the Limerick side 15-3 in front at the break.

Summing up the game, 'Belvo director of rugby O'Donovan said: "Young Munster really caught us on the hop. But in the second half, we came out and started playing the rugby we know we can and thankfully it was enough to get us through."

Winger Kevin Barden, lock and captain Scott Hutton and out-half Andy Dunne all crossed the Munsters' whitewash as O'Donovan's men came good. Dunne also kicked two penalties, while player-coach Richie Murphy struck a crucial late conversion - it was needed as 'Belvo trailed 21-16 before they mustered a last-gasp seven-pointer.

Scorers: Old Belvedere: Tries: Kevin Barden, Scott Hutton, Andy Dunne; Con: Richie Murphy; Pens: Andy Dunne 2 Young Munster: Tries: Derek Corcoran, Darren Classens; Con: Mark Connolly; Pens: Mark Connolly 3

AIB League Div Three semi-final:

Ballynahinch 3 Bruff 29, Ballymacarn Park

Scrum half Tony Cahill emerged as Bruff's hat-trick hero at Ballymacarn Park as he bagged three tries in the Limerick side's surprise 29-3 play-off defeat of Ballynahinch.

'Hinch's first ever appearance in an AIB League play-off turned into a nightmare as player-coach Daniel Soper registered his side's only points with a first half penalty strike.

The County Down men were the form team in Division Three for much of the season and had won seven of their eight home games in the league before today's encounter.

But Bruff, coached by Eugene Murnane and Eoin Cahill, came with a storming finish to the league's regulation phase, winning three games on the trot to grab third spot in the table.

Cahill was at his elusive best, behind a workhorse pack, and he dotted down after 10, 24 and 66 minutes to help Bruff to a memorable victory in what was only the club's second ever appearance in the play-offs - they lost in last year's semis to Clonakilty.

Winger Finbarr Hogan took his try tally for the league campaign to 11 with a 54th-minute effort and the remainder of Bruff's points came from the boot of out-half Brian Cahill, a brother of Tony and Eoin.

Bruff is a well-known 'family' club. As well as the Cahills, there are four Carroll brothers - Michael, Brian, John and Tommy - in their current senior squad.

Scorers: Ballynahinch: Pen: Daniel Soper

Bruff: Tries: Tony Cahill 3, Finbarr Hogan; Cons: Brian Cahill 3; Pen: Brian Cahill

Div Three semi-final:

Wanderers 47 Instonians 29, Merrion Road

Wanderers had a degree of comfort in their 47-29 victory over Instonians in this afternoon's Division Three semi-final at Merrion Road.

The Dublin 4 side chalked up their ninth win in nine home games in AIB League competition this season to win through to a final clash with Bruff at Templeville Road next Saturday.

Wanderers out-half Billy Tracey had an afternoon to remember as he crossed for two tries and also kicked five conversions and four penalties for a personal haul of 32 points.

Garrett Fitzgerald, Hugh Davies and Pom Simone were the other try scorers for Andrew Spraggon's home side, who led 30-3 at half-time.

Jamie Chapman (2) and Greg Mitchell both notched tries for 'Inst, who also added a penalty try in a strong second half display. Owen McMurray converted three of the Belfast outfit's tries, adding to his single penalty.

Scorers: Wanderers: Tries: Billy Tracey 2, Garrett Fitzgerald, Hugh Davies, Pom Simone; Cons: Billy Tracey 5; Pens: Billy Tracey 4

Instonians: Tries: Jamie Chapman 2, Greg Mitchell, Penalty try; Cons: Owen McMurray 3; Pen: Owen McMurray