AIB ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE/Blackrock College 9 St Mary's College 26:ST MARY'S College are within range of a semi-final spot in the AIB All-Ireland League following their Division One A success at Stradbrook on Saturday.
The victory moves them up to second in the table with only two rounds remaining.
Yet coach Peter Smyth only has to reflect on the season to date to realise how quickly things can change.
St Mary’s have gone through a campaign which saw them open with four victories, and then lose four out of five, before regrouping. The momentum of their improved form now sees them in a strong position to claim one of the top three spots.
“We know that it is in our own hands,” Smyth reflected. “It’s a matter of winning our remaining games, but the fact is that our next game is against Cork Constitution who are the best team in the country.”
Cork Constitution apart, no one really knows what to expect in Division One A of the league. Just look at Blackrock’s contrasting fortunes.
A few weeks back they travelled to Shannon to produce a stunning 25-3 success. But on Saturday they just never got their act together.
While there was the obvious excuse that Blackrock were without some of their top players required by Leinster, they should really have been capable of more. Brian Gibney, one of their joint coaches, admitted as much.
“It’s difficult but that’s something we have to deal with. The guys who come in might not be as good as the players they have replaced but they still have to perform.
“Today we didn’t perform. We made a lot of mistakes, had two sinbinnings, and gave away a lot of penalties. St Mary’s put a lot of pressure on us and we didn’t have an answer.”
All true, although Blackrock led 9-8 at the interval through three penalties from outhalf Darragh Fitzpatrick, with St Mary’s replying through a try from right-wing Ronan Doherty and a penalty from Gavin Dunne.
What’s more, by that stage the scrums were uncontested following injuries to both Blackrock props. It was an aspect which hardly suited the more powerful St Mary’s pack.
Even so, St Mary’s eventually won comfortably with tries from the players who seem to get most of their scores, secondrow Robin Copeland and left-wing Darragh Fanning, one of which was converted by Dunne.
Fanning’s try, following a pass from Copeland, did not come until the final minute but by then Blackrock were well-beaten.
While St Mary’s can now aim for a play-off spot, all that remains for Blackrock is to stay clear of the relegation zone in their remaining three games. With Clontarf losing again, the Stradbrook outfit should at least be capable of that.
BLACKROCK: N Morris; S McDowell (D Madigan 54), K Tonnetti, J Power, S Monahan; D Fitzpatrick, D Moore (A Henry 63); J Barretto (A Dunlop 41), C Culleton, A Lyons (S Cahill 24), D Dillon (capt), P Huntly, P Ryan (J Mannion 49), M Carroll, Z Farivarz.
ST MARY’S: G Dunne; R Doherty, S Grissing, M Sexton (P Brophy 61), D Fanning; S McCarthy, C McPhillips (C Quinn 78); J McGrath, Richie Sweeney (D Kilbride 78), Rob Sweeney, G. Logan, R Copeland, D Hall, P Nash, H Hogan.
Referee: J Lacey.
Cork Constitution consolidate strong position at the top
CORK CONSTITUTION remain on course to add the league title to the cup following a crucial 17-10 victory over an injury-hit Shannon at the Mardyke on Saturday.
The victory moves Con three points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand on their closest rivals. So they look set fair to take a play-off spot.
But just who is going to take the other two Division One A semi-finals spots remains unclear. Shannon have dropped to third, a point behind St Mary’s, with Dolphin a point behind them and Garryowen, in fifth spot, not out of the running.
Again, Cork Constitution proved their strength-in-depth. Despite their Munster absentees, they could call on someone of the calibre of Jeremy Manning to play a major role. Manning landed three penalties and a drop goal, with Frank Cogan scoring a try.
Shannon replied with a try from Luke O’Dea and a penalty and conversion from Dave O’Donovan.
Dolphin remain in contention after beating UL Bohemians 32-14 at Thomond Park. Behind 14-0 at one stage, the Cork outfit picked up a bonus point in a remarkable final quarter with a penalty try, and efforts from Sam Cronin, Danny Barnes and Rory Kennelly.
Garryowen continued their surge up the table by edging out Clontarf 15-14 at Castle Avenue. The result means Clontarf are virtually certain to be relegated.
Garryowen went into a 15-0 lead with tries from Ronan Murphy and Conan Doyle, both converted by Conor Murray, before they had to withstand a Clontarf fightback.
Old Belvedere and Young Munster are promoted from Division One B following their away victories over Dungannon and UCC respectively. Old Belvedere are favourites for top spot and a play-off place. They remain two points clear after a 22-17 success over Dungannon.
They scored three tries with Andy Dunne inspirational at outhalf. Young Munster edged out third-placed UCC 14-12 at the Mardyke. Outhalf Alan Kingsley contributed three penalties with Shane Hassett getting the all-important second-half try.
Elsewhere, Galwegians pipped Ballymena 17-16 at Crowley Park, while Buccaneers defeated Ballynahinch 22-17.
