St Mary's the early pacesetters

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ROUND-UP : ST MARY'S College sit proudly atop the AIB League Division One table after a 31-20 victory over Ballymena at Templeville Road, managing a bonus point for the second successive week in the process.

St Mary's scored five tries with four coming from half-backs Matt D'Arcy and Shaun McCarthy, the latter also adding two conversions and a penalty. St Mary's led 24-7 at half-time. Tommy Seymour scored two tries for Ballymena.

Cork Constitution edged out UCD 9-7 at Belfield. UCD took the lead with a try from hooker Conor Geoghegan, converted by Killian Lett, but Con responded with a couple of penalties from Jeremy Manning and a vital drop goal from Dara Lyons.

Old Belvedere made it a second straight victory with a 13-9 win against Young Munster at Clifford Park thanks to a couple of second-half tries from Leinster Academy prospect Felix Jones and wing David Mongan. Another academy prospect, centre Eoin O'Malley, accounted for the visitors' other score. Mark Connolly kicked three penalties for Munsters.

Blackrock College took the scalp of Garryowen (30-26) in Limerick. Former Ireland Under-20 wing Shane Monahan and Kyle Tonetti scored tries while Darragh Fitzpatrick kicked five penalties and a conversion. Conor Kilroy scored 16 points for the losers.

Clontarf wing Michael Keating's injury-time try gave the visitors a 19-16 win over Terenure College at Lakelands. David McAllister looked to have given the home side victory with a 45-metre drop goal but Keating's second try proved key. Shannon called upon Munster duo Tony Buckley and Donnacha Ryan as they edged Buccaneers 25-21 at Coonagh while Galwegians defeated Dungannon 27-21 at Crowley Park.

Dolphin survived a brave comeback by UL Bohemians to claim an exciting 35-33 victory at Musgrave Park yesterday. Dolphin led 29-7 at the interval thanks to tries from Kevin Lynch, Gary O'Keeffe, Fergus Gately and Barry O'Mahony. Bohs comeback came via tries by centre Giles Boland, Shaun Payne (twice), Martin McPhail and a penalty try but Barry Keeshan, who kicked 16 points, edged Dolphin home.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times