LEAGUE ROUND-UP: A RESURGENT Blackrock College clipped the wings of AIB All-Ireland League champions, Cork Constitution to throw open the surge for play-off places.

The Stradbrook side moved into second place on the table as a result of their 23-7 win. Tries from Gary Brown, Shane Monahan and Kyle Tonetti ensured that the visitors, who were unbeaten in the competition since last December, would go home empty handed.

The visitors led Blackrock 7-3 at the interval courtesy of a 60-yard dash from Darragh Lyons, whose intercept after six minutes gave Cork Con their only try of the match. But as the second half progressed Blackrock forwards, led by Des Dillon and Shane Byrne, gave their side the required platform for a heartening win.

But it was Garryowen, who took full advantage of Cork Constitution’s bad slippage and they raced to the top of the table in some style, blitzing Ballymena 45-7. Under strength to the tune of nine regular players and having to play a back row player in the centre, the Ulster side conceded six tries to the home team, Kevin Hartigan getting over twice for Garryowen.

It was the Limerick side’s 10th straight win, with the bonus point helping their rise to the top above Blackrock and Cork Constitution.

In Dublin Clontarf also ran away with their match against Buccaneers. Some slip shod defending from the visitors allowed Clontarf chalk up their bonus point inside the first quarter. Tries from Niall O’Brien, Ben Reilly, Daragh O’Shea and Phil Howard ensured the home side took a 24-0 lead and after that there was no looking back.