Sport

St Mary's go down to third loss in a row

St Mary’s College’s hopes of retaining the Ulster Bank League Division 1A title have been dealt another severe blow with a third…

Mon Nov 05 2012 - 00:00

St Mary’s College’s hopes of retaining the Ulster Bank League Division 1A title have been dealt another severe blow with a third successive defeat, this time at the hands of Dolphin.

Dolphin’s 32-14 Musgrave Park victory means that St Mary’s now lie second from bottom with just one win in their four games. Dolphin, in contrast, have won three on the trot to move up to third in the table.

They were well worth their bonus point success. James Cronin, Chris Bannon and Eamonn Mills went over for tries and they were also awarded a penalty try.

Barry Keeshan showed his usual composure to kick the remainder of their points. Next up for Dolphin is a crunch derby meeting with another of the leading contenders Cork Constitution next Friday night.

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Clontarf are back in the running following a fine 18-11 away success over Young Munster at Clifford Park. Young Munster got away to a great start to lead 11-0 but Clontarf rallied with fullback Tim McCoy crossing for a vital second-half try.

So, after losing their opening two games, Clontarf are up to sixth spot and within range of leaders Lansdowne. The two sides will meet at Castle Avenue on Friday night.

Elsewhere, Shannon’s dismal campaign continues following a 45-13 hammering by Old Belvedere at Anglesea Road. Old Belvedere finished with seven tries, two of them from wing Eddie Devitt.

Unfortunately, Shannon already look odds on to be relegated. They lie bottom, without a point, and have conceded a massive 160 points in losing their four games.

Remarkably, the away teams won all five matches in Division 1B.

Leaders Malone suffered their first defeat, 18-15 to UCD at Gibson Park. James Thornton’s injury-time penalty was the difference as Malone drop to third with UCD fourth.

Ballynahinch now top the table on points difference from Dublin University. The Ulster side ran riot against bottom outfit Blackrock College at Stradbrook, with Chris Quinn crossing for four tries in a 52-19 victory.

Dublin University found themselves in a harder match, winning 12-6 at Bruff. Buccaneers defeated Ballymena 17-13 and Belfast Harlequins got the better of Dungannon 23-13 in the remaining games.