Flanker Shine scores brace against Galwegians

Two tries from flanker John Shine helped Bruff come from behind to beat Galwegians 21-12 in Ulster Bank League Division 1B today.

Bruff suffered an early fright at Kilballyowen Park when visitors 'Wegians jumped into a 6-0 lead with penalties by centre Tadgh Leader after 15 and 29 minutes.

But man-of-the-match Shine got in for a Bruff try five minutes before the interval. Penalties by out-half and captain Tony Cahill during a profitable three-minute spell had Bruff 11-6 ahead at the break.

The gap was cut to two points after 47 minutes when Leader popped over another penalty for 'Wegians and when he struck his fourth, 10 minutes later, Bruff looked in trouble.

But Cahill again came to his side's rescue and his well-struck penalty made it 14-12. Galwegians were reduced to 14 when their lock Liam Scahill was shown a yellow card for going off his feet in the 64th minute and while Bruff did not add to their tally while he was absent, they did so within a minute of his return.

Shine got in for his second try following persistent pressure by the Limerick side's now dominant pack and when Cahill converted, it left 'Wegians with nothing to show for their trip south.

Meanwhile, at Annacotty, Dungannon could not celebrate their centre Paul Magee's 100th league appearance with a victory as UL Bohemians took a 12-5 verdict.

An outstanding performance by prop David Kilcoyne inspired UL during this wind and rain-blighted tie. Dungannon opened their Division 1B run with an emphatic home win over UCD last Saturday.

Picking up points on the road is another matter and when 'Gannon got in for a try after barely a minute, such a result seemed a possibility.

Full-back Conor Gaston made a darting run and then laid off the perfect pass to send Adam Duhig over. That score served as a wake-up call for Bohs whose forwards dominated all the way.

Sean Renisson and Niall Kindregan gave great support to Kilcoyne. For all their good work up front, UL did not score until just before half-time when young out-half JJ Hanrahan landed a penalty.

He levelled the game four minutes into the second half and the Ireland Under-20 international slotted a huge penalty from near halfway to put the home side in front. Hanrahan made sure of the points with a successful fourth kick after 68 minutes.

Meanwhile, Buccaneers did all of their scoring in the first half as they got the better of Ballymena at Eaton Park.

Hendre Marnitz’s side utilised their advantage in the forwards to send front rowers Garrett Halligan and Martin Staunton over for unconverted tries in a 16-10 win.

Out-half Jack Carty kicked two penalties to one from David O’Hara as the Braidmen were left with a 16-3 deficit to overcome.

The best they could do was get in losing bonus point range, their South African centre Richard Aingworth touching down for his first Ulster Bank League try.

Ballynahinch moved to the top of the table following their workmanlike 27-16 victory over Ulster rivals Belfast Harlequins.

‘Hinch did most of the damage during a power-packed first half display, Ulster flanker Willie Faloon getting through plenty of work in the loose.

He was one of the hosts’ try scorers along with centre Stuart Morrow, while out-half James Lash weighed in with four penalties over the course of the game.

Harlequins had two penalties from scrum half Michael Heaney before the break. Their loosehead prop Richard Lutton rumbled over for a second half try, but the push for the bonus point never came.

Ireland underage starlet Sam Coghlan Murray dotted down twice in UCD’s 23-16 triumph over fellow students UCC at Belfield.

That try double and some pinpoint place-kicking from Niall Earls and replacement James Thornton did the trick for the Dubliners.

Brian O’Callaghan (try) and Brian Kingston (conversion and three penalties) accounted for the UCC points, with the Cork outfit now second-from-bottom in the standings.