ALL IRELAND LEAGUE: MUNSTER'S MONOPOLY of the top four places in the AIB League Division One continues apace after victories for leaders, Cork Constitution, and second-place Shannon and Garryowen. The only interlopers are Blackrock College, who occupy the final play-off position with three, four or five rounds of matches remaining – it varies from team to team but the leading quartet have all played 11 matches.
Shannon embarked on the long journey to Eaton Park and managed to come away with a narrow 7-6 victory over Ballymena, a match played in horrendous conditions. The Limerick club were grateful for a try from wing Richie Mullane, which outhalf Tadgh Bennett improved upon.
Craig Woods replied with a penalty to leave Ballymena trailing 7-3 at the interval, but all they could muster was a second Woods penalty despite incessant pressure in the closing stages.
The win allows Shannon to stay in close pursuit of leaders Cork Con, who came from behind to beat Clontarf 17-13 at Temple Hill.
The Dublin visitors led 13-7 at half-time with a try from hooker Aaron Dundon and eight points from the boot of Darragh O’Shea while Con registered their first score with a superb individual try from Cronan Healy.
Peter Broughan converted as he would do again on the hour following a try from centre Tim Kenneally. Dara Lyons kicked a late penalty.
Kevin Hartigan was a try scorer for Garryowen as they beat Young Munster 20-13 in a keenly-contested Limerick derby at Dooradoyle. The visitors showed great spirit to claw their way back into a game they looked like losing heavily at one point after tries from Hartigan and Lorcan Burke.
Munsters claimed a penalty try on 66 minutes after Garryowen infringed at a scrum and Mike Prendergast’s late penalty ensured they managed a losing bonus point; an important consideration in their battle against relegation.
Blackrock thumped Galwegians 48-10 at Stradbrook, former Ulster Heineken Cup winner Stanley McDowell and Niall Morris grabbing a brace of tries apiece while David Rowan and Simon Morrissey also crossed the whitewash.
UL Bohemian beat Terenure College 34-0, guaranteeing that it would be a minor miracle if the latter were to escape relegation. The students had tries from Kieran Essex (2), Tommy O’Donnell (2) and Finbar Ahern.
Dungannon enjoyed an important win away to Old Belvedere, eventually prevailing 6-5 despite being under pressure for most of the match.
John Muckian kicked two penalties in response to a try from Kevin Bardon, but the home side will rue a host of missed opportunities with the placed ball.
St Mary’s College put themselves firmly in play-off contention with a fine 21-6 victory over Buccaneers at Dubarry Park. The Dublin club trailed 6-3 at the interval but managed 18 points without reply after the break, including tries from Shaun McCarthy and captain Philip Brophy.
Finally Dolphin moved to fifth place in the table with a bonus point 29-12 victory over UCD at Musgrave Park yesterday.
Paul Hurley grabbed a brace of tries, while Barry O’Mahony and Rory Kenneally also crossed the UCD line.
Barry Keeshan added three conversions and a penalty, while the students could only muster four penalties from wing Noel Reid.
