ST MARY’S COLLEGE overcame a difficult start to record a seventh successive Ulster Bank Division 1A League victory with a 27-10 win over Old Belvedere at Anglesea Road on Saturday.
The league leaders trailed 7-0 to the bottom side in the table at the end of the first quarter. Had Old Belvedere outhalf Aidan Wynne not missed a relatively easy penalty, they would have been further behind. But Old Belvedere, having held their own in the forward exchanges, were driven off the ball on their own put-in after 20 minutes. It was a major turning point. From then on, the home side experienced all sorts of problems in the scrum. They still led 10-7 at the interval but inevitably the pressure exerted by the St Mary’s forwards told in the second half.
The league leaders had looked in trouble, conceding a 12th-minute try. Darren Hudson, moved to fullback from the wing because of an injury to Gavin Dunne, tried a delicate chip around his own 22. It was intercepted by Old Belvedere centre John Kennedy who went over for a try. Wynne added the extras.
St Mary’s drew level after 26 minutes with a try from Hudson following good work by the pack. Ray Crotty’s conversion drew them level but Old Belvedere hit back with a penalty from Wynne to lead 10-7 at the break.
The pressure from the St Mary’s forwards told in the second half as prop Colm McMahon and outhalf Philip Brophy scored tries, Brophy’s effort coming in the dying minutes. Crotty took over the goalkicking from the injured Dunne and landed both conversions and two penalties.
Clontarf stay second with a 22-14 away win over Shannon on Saturday. Clontarf led 22-0 at the break. Flanker Barry O’Mahony went over for two tries with a third from Tim McCoy. Richie Lane added two conversions and a penalty. Shannon had late converted tries from Kevin Griffin and David Quinlan.
Third-placed Young Munster defeated Blackrock College 25-10 at Clifford Park. Mark Doyle and Shane Hassett got a try in each half, with the remaining points coming from the boot of Willie Staunton. Outhalf Darragh Fitzpatrick was once again Blackrock’s main contributor with a try, conversion and a penalty.
Cork Constitution stay in touch with the leaders by beating Lansdowne 19-13 at Temple Hill with two tries in the final quarter from wing Cathal Quinn settling matters. Lansdowne had led 13-9 early in the second half with a try from wing Matt Healy.
Declan Cusack’s goalkicking proved crucial in Garryowen’s 19-13 win over Dolphin at Dooradoyle. The outhalf landed four penalties and converted a first-half try by Paul Neville. Dolphin’s reply came via a try by John Quill and the goalkicking of Barry Keeshan.
Just two points separates the top five teams in Division 1B. Ballynahinch top the table on points difference from the Belfast Harlequins side that beat them 19-13 at Deramore Park. Michael Allen got the all-important try.
A second-half try from Andrew Kerr helped Ballymena edge out Buccaneers 8-6 at Dubarry Park.
The big shock was UL Bohemians’ 20-12 away win over Dungannon, with tries from Martin McPhail and Rory White.
WATERLOGGED: Schools game postponed
YESTERDAY'S opening match of the Leinster schools senior cup between Blackrock College and Terenure College was postponed due to Donnybrook's waterlogged pitch, writes Gavin Cummiskey.
A decision on the fixture’s rescheduling will be made today. Wednesday is a possibility, although that would mean playing three games over three days on the already damaged surface. St Mary’s are due to face Castleknock at Donnybrook tomorrow, with defending champions Clongowes Wood up against Belvedere on Thursday. The other option is next Monday, February 6th.
