Clontarf show character

All-Ireland Cup: The only game of substance on the opening Saturday of the AIB Cup came at Castle Avenue as Clontarf overcame a 20-point deficit to progress to the quarter-finals at the expense of fellow Division One side Dungannon.

It finished 30-20 with a late try from winger Peter Woods putting a gloss on the final scoreline.

Malone pushed Terenure at Lakelands before the Division Two leaders pulled away in the final quarter with Mark Mahony crossing for their second try while a Brian Flanagan drop goal pushed them to a 19-12 victory.

Belfast Harlequins, Buccaneers and Garryowen swept past Division Two opposition. Quins are now Ulster's sole representative in the competition after they crossed for eight tries in the 50-12 destruction of Suttonians at the Grafton Arena. Buccaneers defeated DSLP in Kilternan, 50-13, with Tom Cregan crossing for three and converting five of the Pirates' eight tries.

Garryowen arrived at Musgrave Park with too much firepower for Dolphin to handle as a quality backrow of Anthony Kavanagh, John O'Sullivan and Paul Neville ensured a back line, conducted by Paul Burke, was presented with plenty of go-forward ball. It was 26-0 by the break after tries from John O'Sullivan, Kavanagh, Kevin Hartigan and Cillian O'Boyle. O'Boyle twisted the knife with a second try.

The Greystones versus St Mary's fixture has been rescheduled for Thursday, December 29th.

The draw date for the quarter-finals will be announced this week, expected to take place in early January, with the games to be played on February 11th.