ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE ROUND-UP:ST MARY'S COLLEGE and Cork Constitution are within touching distance of AIB League play-off spots following an entertaining Division 1A clash at Templeville Road on Saturday which the home side won 24-20.
Cork Con had the consolation of a losing bonus point, which looked unlikely when they trailed 24-6 midway through the second half. Missing Duncan Williams and Billy Holland, they struggled to come to terms with a revitalised St Mary’s outfit which led 14-6 at the interval through tries from number eight Hugh Hogan and centre Mark Sexton, both converted by fullback Gavin Dunne.
Scott Deasy kept Cork Con in touch with two penalties, and, with the wind behind them in the second half, you would have expected them to close the gap further. Instead, it was St Mary’s who came out of the traps much the better.
Prop Rob Sweeney and impressive wing Darragh Fanning added unconverted tries to make the score 24-6.
Only then did Constitution get their act together, Deasy switching to outhalf to orchestrate matters.
A score from number eight Frank Cogan was followed by a penalty try. Both were converted by Deasy to reduce the deficit to 24-20.
Only Dolphin of the chasing pack got the victory they needed.
Shannon went down to a shock, 32-26 home defeat to a Clontarf side that hasn’t given up hope of avoiding relegation, while at Dooradoyle, Garryowen lost 16-13 to bottom-of-the-table UL Bohemians.
Dolphin trounced Blackrock College 31-13, picking up a bonus point. Their tries came from Dave Ryan (two), Sam Cronin and Rob Allen against a Blackrock outfit which now is only one point clear of second-from-bottom Clontarf. They do have a game in hand against Garryowen.
But Clontarf must be hugely encouraged by their second-half comeback. Trailing 18-10 at the interval, they secured a bonus point with tries from Michael Keating (two), Martin Dufficy and Seán Carey.
Old Belvedere took a major step to securing the play-off spot from Division 1B by scoring eight tries in their 57-38 Anglesea Road victory over Ballynahinch.
They go into their final game three points ahead of Young Munster. The latter kept in touch by defeating Galwegians 18-9 at Clifford Park, outhalf Alan Kingsley again proving a key figure.
