With two matches still in hand, Blackrock crowned themselves as Division Two champions of the All-Ireland League when they comprehensively beat Greystones in Dr Hickey Park yesterday evening.
They scored seven tries, with two replies from Greystones, and out-half Emmet Farrell added the gloss with three conversions and a penalty.
Farrell himself scored a corner-flag try just on half-time, to add to a penalty try after 12 minutes and a Gary Halpin pushover try on 18 minutes, to leave the half-time score at a slightly flattering 5-17.
Maurice Logue had given the home side an early lead with a fine try from the full-back position but their only other score came from Nobile McNaughton.
Strong defending kept Blackrock out for 20 minutes in the second half, but a try by centre, Michael Price, opened the gates.
Greystones: M Logue; G Keogh, W Robertson (capt), E O'Brien, N McNaughton; R Spillane, P Deady; R Maybury, V Nelson, A O'Donnell, J Mullins, C McGuckian, D Hall, P Dunne, J O'Beirne. Replacements: M Hogan for O'Beirne, M Hanley for Dunne, S Scanlon for Deady, M Phelan for Maybury.
Blackrock: T Keating; M Price, M Jackson, D Quinlan, P Drew; E Farrell, J Ferris; O McSweeney, S Byrne, G Halpin, R Casey, H Kos, G McCarthy, R Rogers, L Cullen (capt). Replacements: A McGowan for Keating, M Roche for Jackson, I McLoughlin for Halpin, G McEvoy for Rogers, R Murphy for Kos.
Referee: T Redmond (Leinster Branch).
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