AIL Men's Division 1A round-up: Clontarf land Bateman Cup and move top for Christmas

Meanwhile, Cork Constitution scored four second-half tries without reply to turn things around against UCD, emerging as 36-19 winners at the Bowl.

DOUBLE JOY: Clontarf's Dylan Donnellan celebrates with the Bateman Cup. Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor

Clontarf celebrated on the double as a hard-fought 21-16 win over Ballynahinch earned them their first Energia Bateman Cup and moved them to the top of Division 1A for Christmas.

Ballynahinch did everything they could to recapture the winning feeling of the club’s famous 2009 All-Ireland Cup triumph. They led for 75 minutes of a game that doubled up as an Energia All-Ireland League fixture and this season’s Bateman Cup decider.