All-Ireland League: St Mary's claim top spot, Cork Con miss out on Division 1A top four

Meanwhile, in Division 1B Old Wesley were crowned champions after a 45-0 win away to City of Armagh, with Tom Larke and Ethan Black both scoring twice in a seven-try victory

OUTSTRETCHED: St. Mary's College's Rob Gilsenan is blocked by Fionn Gilbert. Pic: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

The final round of the regular season across the Men’s Divisions in Energia All-Ireland League brought another weekend of significant movement, with sharp performances, important away wins and titles, play-off places and relegation now confirmed.

In Division 1A, St Mary’s College finished on top spot as they claimed a hard-earned 14-10 away success against Clontarf at Castle Avenue. Mark Fogarty and Mick O’Gara scored the Mary’s tries, with O’Gara also converting both, as the visitors came through a tense contest in which Clontarf replied through Jordan Coghlan and Daniel Magner.

Mary’s will now have a home semi-final tie against Terenure College as they secured fourth spot defeating UCD 19-15 at Lakelands Park in a tightly contested encounter. Adam LaGrue scored twice for the home side, with Luke Clohessy also crossing, while Caspar Gabriel added two conversions. UCD stayed in the hunt through tries from Evan Moynihan, Maxim Aschenbrenner and Daragh Gilbourne, but Terenure held firm to take the win.

Despite producing one of the standout displays of the round, overpowering Lansdowne 38-12 at Temple Hill, last season’s finalists Cork Con missed out on top four due to that Nure result.

Danny Sheahan crossed for a hat-trick in a devastating first-half performance, while Rob Hedderman, Aidan Moynihan and David Hyland also touched down. Lansdowne responded with tries from Cathal Eddy and James Tarrant, and now face an away trip to Clontarf in the semi-finals.

Old Belvedere were equally emphatic, running in nine tries in a 61-12 win over Nenagh Ormond. Jack Keating and Joshua Ericson both scored twice, while Morgan Meredith, Andre Ryan, James Dillon, Hugh Wilkinson and Fionn McWey also crossed in a dominant display at Ollie Campbell Park.

Young Munster completed the Division 1A action with a 22-12 win over Ballynahinch, building a 17-5 half-time lead before closing it out through tries from Andrew Smith, Orin Burke and Liam McMahon.

In Division 1B, Old Wesley were crowned champions after a 45-0 win away to City of Armagh, with Tom Larke and Ethan Black both scoring twice in a seven-try victory. Dublin University produced an impressive turnaround to beat Blackrock College 34-24 away from home. Despite trailing at the break, Trinity responded with tries from Johnny O’Sullivan, Mark Walsh and Jack O’Neill to take control in the second half, but had to settle for second place.

TRIUMPH: MU Barnhall captain Rob Holt and teammates celebrate with the Division 2 trophy in Parsonstown. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Naas delivered one of the most explosive first-half displays of the weekend, racing into a 42-5 interval lead on their way to a 47-26 win over Instonians to confirm their safety. Tadhg Brophy and Charlie Sheridan each scored twice, while Queen’s University defeated Highfield 31-19 and UCC Rugby beat Garryowen 24-10 after leading 17-0 at half-time, not enough to avoid a relegation play-off.

In Division 2A, Shannon recorded an important 24-12 victory against Cashel, with Jamie Gavin’s boot helping to guide them home to second place, they meet Dungannon in the playoffs as they defeated Greystones 33-14 after leading 21-0 at the break. 

MU Barnhall edged Wanderers 26-20 in another valuable result, as that result saw Galway Corinthians jump into the playoffs as they claimed a 31-5 away win over Banbridge. Elsewhere, Ballymena won 45-3 over Old Crescent.

Division 2B again delivered drama. Sligo secured fourth spot with a 39-7 win against Skerries, Matthew Earley scoring two tries. UL Bohemian will host Clogher Valley in the play-offs as they finished in second spot. Bohs were in rampant form, beating Navan 54-5 with Jordan Mills scoring twice, while Clogher Valley beat Rainey 19-14.

Enniscorthy defeated Malone 36-25, and Buccaneers earned a 20-7 win away to Galwegians.

In Division 2C, Dolphin beat Belfast Harlequins 31-14 with Max Abbott grabbing a hat-trick to confirm the final semi-final spot. That result doubled with Malahide’s 31-25 win over Monkstown relegated Harlequins to the Junior grade, a miraculous turnaround by the Dublin side to go into a play-off.

Clonmel edged Ballyclare 32-29 in a close contest to confirm top spot in the table and will meet Dolphin next, while Bective Rangers defeated Thomond 30-12 in a dress rehearsal for a semi-final in two weeks. Midleton won 26-14 away to Bruff elsewhere.

Energia All-Ireland League Div 1A: Clontarf 10 St Mary’s College 14, Cork Constitution 38 Lansdowne 12, Old Belvedere 61 Nenagh Ormond 12, Terenure College 19 UCD 15, Young Munster 22 Ballynahinch 12. 

Div 1B: Blackrock College 34 Dublin University 24, City Of Armagh 0 Old Wesley 45, Naas 47 Instonians 26, Queen’s University 31 Highfield 19, UCC 24 Garryowen 10.

Div 2A: Ballymena 45 Old Crescent 3, Banbridge 5 Galway Corinthians 31, Cashel 12 Shannon 24, Spafield Dungannon 33 Greystones 14, MU Barnhall 26 Wanderers 20.

Div 2B: Clogher Valley 19 Rainey 14, Enniscorthy 36 Malone 25, Galwegians 7 Buccaneers 20, Sligo 39 Skerries 7, UL Bohemian 54 Navan 5.

Div 2C: Ballyclare 29 Clonmel 32, Bective Rangers 30 Thomond 12, Bruff 14 Midleton 26, Dolphin 31 Belfast Harlequins 14, Malahide 31 Monkstown 25.