Kelly secures home semi for Shannon

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE ROUND-UPLIMERICK GAELIC footballer Stephen Kelly may have to turn his full attentions to rugby if he keeps this up. The Shannon winger crossed for two crucial tries to secure a home semi-final for Geoff Moylan's team after a 27-17 bonus point victory over Dolphin at Coonagh on Saturday.

It means Garryowen must travel to Shannon’s second ground, not Thomond Park, next Saturday for the All-Ireland league semi-final in a repeat of last year’s tie.

Last year’s semi-final line-ups are repeated though just 20 points separated fourth-placed Clontarf and fifth-placed St Mary’s who, like Garryowen, finished up on 51 points with Cork Con and Shannon a point ahead.

Blackrock, Dolphin and UL Bohemians had already secured their places in the new eight-team Division One A for next season.

Clontarf now travel to Temple Hill to face defending champions Cork Constitution.

Down at the bottom UCD join Terenure in Division Two, which is really Division Three after the new split, as Young Munster beat the students on their own patch 17-14 to stay in Division One B. Buccaneers’ 22-16 defeat of Old Belvedere secured their safety.

UCC secured promotion to Division One B with a 24-14 win over DLSP but the second promotion spot will not be decided until AIB Cup champions Ballynahinch play Highfield in a rescheduled fixture. At present they are four points adrift of Lansdowne, while Ballynahinch beat Clonakilty 48-15. The Ulster clubs superior points difference means they just need a straight victory against Highfield.

Wanderers and Instonians are replaced in the new third tier by Corinthians and Old Wesley, while Waterpark drop out of the league.

Division one semi-finals(Saturday, April 25th, both 2.30pm): Cork Constitution v Clontarf, Temple Hill; Shannon v Garryowen, Coonagh.

Relegated: UCD, Terenure College.

Teams to compete in Division One Section A next season: Cork Constitution, Shannon, Garryowen, Clontarf, St Mary's College, Blackrock College, Dolphin, UL Bohemians.

Teams to compete in Division One Section B: Galwegians, Old Belvedere, Dungannon, Buccaneers, Ballymena, Young Munster, UCC, Lansdowne or Ballynahinch.