RUGBY: ULSTER BANK LEAGUE:OLD BELVEDERE won an extraordinary final Division One A match 25-19 against St Mary's College at Anglesea Road on Saturday to make certain of a home semi-final.
They will face Division One B winners Clontarf at the same venue on Saturday week, with the holders Cork Constitution taking on Young Munster at Temple Hill in the other semi-final.
The big losers are St Mary’s.
After spending virtually the entire season in the top three, last year’s beaten finalists have been pipped on the final day for third spot by Young Munster. St Mary’s just couldn’t get the job done, losing their final three games.
Maybe if they had started a bit better on Saturday, things could have been different. They were 20 points down after 26 minutes, having conceded three tries. But, inspired by outhalf Ian McKinley, who scored two brilliant tries, they reduced the deficit to 20-19 by the midway stage of the second half.
An increasingly exciting match then could have gone either way before Old Belvedere number eight Leo Auva’a settled matters with yet another spectacular individual effort in the final minute.
Coach Phil Werahiko will realise Old Belvedere must show more consistency if they are to beat Clontarf and hopefully go on to win the trophy. But at least the confidence returned after failing to win their two previous games.
They played excellent rugby to cross for three well-worked tries through fullback Danny Riordan and wings Dave Mongan and Eddie Devitt in the opening half hour. With outhalf Conal Keane adding a conversion and a penalty to make it 20-0, there seemed no way back for St Mary’s. But the Templeville Road outfit came to life before the interval, McKinley weaving his way through the Old Belvedere defence for a try which fullback Gavin Dunne converted.
Their supporters’ hopes were raised even more when Old Belvedere had Keane sinbinned early in the second half. St Mary’s took full advantage, prop Robert Sweeney and McKinley crossing for tries, one of which McKinley converted to reduce the deficit to 20-19.
Suddenly the comeback was on, even more so when Old Belvedere scrumhalf Simon Keogh was yellowcarded with 10 minutes left. But St Mary’s were then to see their number nine David Campbell binned and Auva made certain of an Old Belvedere victory when running in from near halfway for a try in the final minute.
Werahiko, having spent six successful seasons coaching Clontarf, knows they are capable of providing extremely tough semi-final opposition. “It’s a knock-out, and in those situations it’s very often the side that wants it most comes through.” he pointed out. “We very nearly beat St Mary’s in the semi-final last season after qualifying out of Division One B. Clontarf are a much improved side and I anticipate a really hard game.”
OLD BELVEDERE:D Riordan; E Devitt, J Kennedy, B Woods (K Barden 66), D Mongan; C Keane (A Dunne 66), S Keogh; V Soden, D Gilchrist (K Buckley 57), S Maguire, D Moore, R Leyden, J Slattery (E Jackman 64), J Rison, L Auva'a.
ST MARY'S:G Dunne (P Brophy 44); D Hudson, S Grissing, M Sexton, R Doherty; I McKinley, D Campbell; J McGrath, D Kilbride, R Sweeney, C Ruddock, D Hall (S Bradshaw 38), K Sheahan, P Nash (Capt), H Hogan.
Referee: S McDowell.
League Round-Up
YOUNG MUNSTER came from behind to beat Garryowen 23-18 at Clifford Park and snatch the third Division One A semi-final spot. They trailed 12-0 at the interval but a storming second half brought them victory and an away semi-final against Cork Constitution. Young Munster’s tries came from Craig O’Hanlon and Matthew Costelloe, with Alan Kingsley kicking two penalties and two conversions, and Willie Staunton landing a drop goal.
Declan Cusack landed all of Garryowen’s points, but these were not enough to stop them from finishing last in the table. They face a promotion/relegation play-off against the third-placed side in Division One B, Buccaneers.
Cork Constitution made certain of top spot with a 33-16 victory over Blackrock College at Temple Hill. The superior ability of Cork Con told with tries from Seán Scanlon and Duncan Williams adding to an early effort by Simon Zebo.
Elsewhere in the top flight, Shannon move clear of Garryowen at the bottom by beating Dolphin 28-18 at Coonagh. Tries from Gareth Quinn-McDonagh, Dave Quinlan and Luke O’Dea gave them a half-time lead of 21-6.
Clontarf and Lansdowne will join them in a 10-strong top flight next season. Clontarf, having already won Division One B, had little at stake when they lost 17-11 to bottom side Bruff at Kilballyowen.
In a straight shoot-out for the second promotion spot, Lansdowne came good in the final quarter to defeat Buccaneers 15-0 on the back pitch at the Aviva Stadium.
John Cooney and Eamonn Sheridan scored late tries. Some consolation for Buccaneers is the two sides that could have overtaken them for third spot in the table, UL Bohemians and Dungannon both lost.
UL Bohemian were well beaten by Galwegians 37-18 at Crowley Park, while Dungannon went down 32-11 at home to UCC.
The great news for Galwegians and UCC is that they have stayed clear of relegation. So, Bruff’s victory over Clontarf counted for little and they must now face a relegation/promotion encounter against the still to be decided fifth placed team in Division Two.
