Dungannon rejoin the elite next season as AIB League Division Two champions following Saturday's 33-8 victory over UCC at the Mardyke. Willie Anderson's team scored five tries in overcoming a students' team shorn of nine regulars.
In mitigation, the Ulster side were also significantly depleted but managed the task in hand in some style. They received the ideal start when promising wing Johnny Davis gathered a loose ball and raced 40 metres for a try. UCC out-half Brian O'Mahoney kicked a penalty, but the visitors replied with a try from Michael Patton, converted by Ashley Blair.
A try from UCC centre Aidan O'Shea produced the last points that Dungannon would concede as they pulled away with tries from Johnny Patterson, Allen Clarke and a penalty try. Blair added three further conversions.
Dungannon will determine who will accompany them to Division One as they host promotion aspirants Wanderers next Saturday. The Dublin club trail DLSP by two points following Saturday's 16-10 victory over City of Derry, but can snatch that coveted second spot by virtue of a superior points differential if they beat Dungannon.
Wanderers faced a tricky assignment last Saturday against a City of Derry side with a formidable home record, but escaped with a win thanks to the excellent placekicking of out-half Eric Olazabal, who managed three penalties and a conversion, a 100 per cent success rate. Nigel Osborne scored his side's only try. Now only a victory will suffice against Dungannon to earn them a place in Division One.
Elsewhere in Division Two early pace-setters Malone finished the season in style with a 24-17 victory over Old Crescent at Gibson Park. They enjoyed tries from Richard Mackey (2), Scott Carroll and Richard Scott.
Dolphin preserved their Division Two status and in doing so condemned Skerries to relegation with a 12-6 victory over Ballynahinch at Ballymacarn Park. Greystones saw their five-match unbeaten run come to an end when they lost 19-15 to Portadown. The Ulster side had a try from Alan Eagleson and four penalties and a conversion from Ricky McIlmoyle.
Limerick junior side Thomond ensured that they would join the senior ranks next season in Division Four when they beat Collegians 38-7 in the play-off at Westmanstown on Saturday.
In the Leinster Senior Cup, UCD thrashed Suttonians 52-27 with tries from Aidan Kearney (2), Jake Smith, Paddy Wallace, Simon Doggett, Philip Bredin and Ronan McCormack.
In the Munster Senior Cup, Highfield enjoyed an 18-12 victory over Richmond.
