YOUNG MUNSTER continued their impressive opening to Division One A of the Ulster Bank League with a 16-14 success over the holders St Mary’s College at Clifford Park on Saturday.
Not only did the victory put the Limerick outfit up, alongside Lansdowne, at the top of the table but it also avenged a 36-11 humiliation by St Mary’s at the same venue last season.
This time around there was precious little between the sides.
Young Munster, in fact, only snatched victory with a penalty by scrumhalf Brian Haugh three minutes from time after St Mary’s had taken a 14-13 advantage. Haugh was very much the Young Munster hero, converting a second-half penalty try and landing three penalties in all.
It proved to be a good day for the Limerick sides as Garryowen and UL Bohemians also recorded fine victories. Garryowen travelled to Castle Avenue to inflict a 23-13 success over last season’s runners-up Clontarf.
Centre Conan Doyle crossed for two tries with Jamie Galvin kicking the remainder of the points. Garryowen, under the new coaching partnership of Tom Tierney and Paul Neville, have now won two out of two.
Clontarf, by comparison, are still searching for their first win.
Their next opponents UL Bohs again showed that they are well capable of making an impression at this level by defeating Cork Constitution 23-15 at Annacotty.
Former Shannon man Mossie Lawlor and Martin McPhail secured tries with outhalf JJ Hanrahan kicking the remainder of the points. Robert Clune and Darragh Lyons scored tries for Cork Con.
In the final Division One A game played on Saturday, Dolphin recorded their first win with a 21-15 home victory over Old Belvedere.
As usual, Barry Keeshan had a big influence, contributing 11 points with the boot while Harry Fleming and Cian Bohane scored tries.
Malone and UCD head Division One B following further bonus point victories. Malone anihiliated Ballymena 60-3 away with Glen Moore grabbing a hat-trick of tries.They got nine tries in all.
UCD had to settle for six in their 42-10 home victory over Bruff, wing Sam Couglan-Murray again getting on the scoresheet.
Dublin University also recorded a second straight success by by beating Dungannon 22-14 at Stevenson Park.
Blackrock College suffered a second successive defeat, losing 23-14 at home to Buccaneers while Ballynahinch beat Belfast Harlequins 13-11 in the Ulster derby.
