St Mary' go top as Cork Con edge AIL final rematch with Clontarf

Munster's Ruadhan Quinn was unstoppable with four tries as Young Munster crossed for 12 tries in an 82-21 thumping of UCD, putting them fourth in Division 1A

TOP DOGS: St Mary's Myles Carey celebrates after scoring his side's third try in the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A win over Terenure College at Templeville Road. The win puts St Mary's top. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

A busy Energia All-Ireland League weekend delivered statement wins, with new leaders of Division 1A after

St Mary’s College defeating Terenure College 28-21 in a Dublin derby in Templeville Road. Myles Carey’s brace along tries from Jack Nelson Murray and Conor Pierce helped secure the win for Mary’s who jump to top spot.

Ballynahinch continued their top four hopes with a clinical showing in Ballymacarn Park as they defeated Nenagh Ormond 47-0. Seven different players crossed the line, Kyle Gill, Matthew Booth, Aaron Sexton, Paul Kerr, Pierce Crowe, Ryan Connolly and Reuben Crothers helping Hinch to a big bonus point win.

There was far more drama at Castle Avenue, where Cork Constitution defeated Clontarf 27-24 in a tense finish in their rematch from last season’s final. Tries from Killian Coghlan, Sean Condon and Sean French, allied to Dylan Hicks’ accuracy from the tee, proved just enough despite a late Clontarf rally sparked by tries from Dylan Donnellan, Jordan Coghlan and Conor Kelly.

Lansdowne and Old Belvedere served up one of the games of the round at the Aviva Stadium back pitch, with Lansdowne eventually prevailing in a try-laden Dublin derby. Bobby Sheehan led the charge with a brace, while Jack Matthews, Barry Fitzpatrick, Cillian Redmond and Stephen Madigan also crossed.

Belvedere responded with tries from Hugh O’Sullivan, Fionn McWey and Chris O’Connor, but were unable to rein in the hosts. Young Munster crossed for 12 tries at Tom Clifford Park, putting them fourth with a 82-21 win over UCD. Munster's Ruadhan Quinn was unstoppable with four tries, while Jake O’Riordan and Shay McCarthy also crossed twice, as Shane O’Leary landed 11 out of 12 conversions.

In Division 1B, UCC ground out a valuable away win at Queen’s University, with tries from Mark Hetherington and Sam O’Sullivan complemented by a decisive Harry Murphy penalty. Blackrock College defeated Naas in a back-and-forth encounter, Harry Waters' late try ensuring the result as Rock moved out of the relegation zone. In Dooradoyle, Garryowen picked up a 48-29 bonus point win over City of Armagh, keeping their play-off hopes alive.

OVER: Craig Adams of Terenure College scores his side's first try.  Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

In Division 2A, Shannon picked up another key result defeating Greystones 30-10 on the Thomond Park back pitch, tries from Darren Gavin, Jordan Prenderville, Callum Black and Jamie Gavin’s kicking secured their eighth win of the season.

Ballymena claimed a narrow but important 22-20 away win at Cashel, Callum Davidson’s late penalty seeing them move to sixth in the table. Old Crescent defeated Banbridge 26-22 at Takumi Park in their relegation clash to put a gap between the sides, while Wanderers completed the round with a narrow win 17-14 over Corinthians, to open up a gap in fourth spot.

Division 2B saw Galwegians secure their 13th win in a row with a 19-14 win over UL Bohemian. Tries from Cian Brady, Conor O'Shaughnessy, Andrew Sherlock built a 19-0 lead at the break, and while UL roared back in the final 20 minutes, they could not turn the tide. Clogher Valley enjoyed a 31-0 win over Enniscorthy at The Cran, while Rainey moved fourth win a 24-19 win over Navan, Jody McMurray crossing for a brace of tries.

In Division 2C, Clonmel jumped to top spot with a 29-19 win over Thomond, Henry Buttimer’s try on the hour mark and Joey O’Connor’s penalty in the closing exchanges ensured the result.

Monkstown built a first-half platform to see off Ballyclare 21-17 at Sydney Parade, Bective Rangers delivered a big response from being 10-0 down to overcome Dolphin 29-24, despite a late surge from the Cork side. Bruff and Malahide played out a thriller at Kilballyowen Park, Paul Collins' late penalty securing a 32-31 win.

Midleton moved out of the relegation zone with a 48-5 win over Belfast Harlequins at Towns Park as Alejandro Martinez Jimenez’s hat-trick headlined the result.

Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A: Ballynahinch 47 Nenagh Ormond 0, Clontarf 24 Cork Constitution 27, Lansdowne 41 Old Belvedere 34, Young Munster 82 UCD 21, St Mary’s College 28 Terenure College 21. 

Division 1B: Blackrock College 10 Naas 15, Dublin University 27 Old Wesley 7, Garryowen 48 City Of Armagh 29, Highfield 38 Instonians 35, Queen’s University 10 UCC 15; Division 2A: Cashel 20 Ballymena 22, MU Barnhall 51 Dungannon 31, Old Crescent 26 Banbridge 22, Shannon 30 Greystones 10, Wanderers 17 Galway Corinthians 14; Division 2B: Buccaneers 33 Skerries 14, Clogher Valley 31 Enniscorthy 0, Galwegians 1 UL Bohemian 14, Malone 29 Sligo 25, Rainey 24 Navan 19; Division 2C: Bective Rangers 29 Dolphin 24, Bruff 32 Malahide 31, Midleton 48 Belfast Harlequins 5, Monkstown 21 Ballyclare 17, Thomond 19 Clonmel 29.

All-Ireland League Women’s Division: Cooke 27 Ennis 31, Ballincollig 7 Old Belvedere 55, Galwegians 7 UL Bohemian 34, Tullow 0 Blackrock College 60, Wicklow 0 Railway Union 31.