Second-half tries from wingers Shane Donovan and Harry Moore made all the difference as Terenure College beat hosts St Mary's College 20-14 in Saturday's "Battle of Dublin 6W" at Templeville Road.
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt was the guest speaker at the pre-match lunch and his prediction on Irish Rugby TV that Terenure would overturn a 8-3 half-time deficit rang true.
The result continues ’Nure’s excellent start to life in Division 1A and extends their enviable winning run in the Ulster Bank League to a mammoth 25 matches – their last defeat was against Corinthians in Division 2A back in February 2013.
St Mary’s were boosted by Stuart O’Flanagan’s 16th-minute try and a Gavin Dunne penalty, while Terenure had to wait until first-half injury time for Mark O’Neill to open their account.
O’Neill and Dunne exchanged further penalties before Terenure’s attack suddenly sparked, with Cathal Marsh having to prevent an almost certain try for ’Nure full-back James O’Donoghue.
Soon after, an overlap from an attacking scrum saw centre Stephen O’Neill offload for Donovan to cross for his second try in as many games. Mark O’Neill’s conversion put James Blaney’s side ahead for the first time.
The result was effectively put beyond doubt when Moore cut through with five minutes left. With that, the Dr Mick Smyth Cup and local bragging rights were in Terenure’s grasp, although Mary’s managed to register their second losing bonus point on the bounce, thanks to Dunne’s third penalty.
Terenure are now third in the table behind Clontarf and leaders Lansdowne, who both negotiated trips to Cork to make it two wins from two outings.
Scott Deasy held his nerve to convert an 84th minute penalty for Lansdowne and hand his former club Cork Constitution their second defeat on the trot (16-13). It was a bitter pill for Con to swallow as they had fought valiantly following lock Graeme Lawler’s red card.
Outhalf David Joyce racked up 17 points, including two tries, as Clontarf saw off Dolphin’s determined challenge in 22-16 victory at Musgrave Park.
Winger Ross Adair’s second try of the season, coupled with an eight-point kicking contribution from Stuart McCloskey, steered Ballynahinch past Old Belvedere for their first win of the new league campaign, 13-8.
Outhalf David O’Mahony was the toast of Young Munster after kicking two late penalties to overhaul UCD on a 24-19 scoreline at Tom Clifford Park.
It is as you were in Division 1B with leaders Galwegians, Ballymena and UL Bohemians all picking up their second wins on the road.
Winger Jerome Harimate bagged two of Wegians’ five tries in their 29-25 defeat of Shannon on Thomond Park’s back pitch, while Ballymena’s own two-try hero Tim Small scored 17 points in their 22-14 success at Belfast Harlequins.
Scrumhalf Mark Dolan’s 65th-minute try was the decisive score in a six-try thriller between Buccaneers and Garryowen, as the hosts prevailed on a 25-22 scoreline.
Corinthians also had their first league win after James Buckley’s brace helped them overcome Malone 29-25. Dublin University were edged out 16-13 by UL Bohemians whose try came from David Johnston.
