There was rugby action in all provincial conferences of the Energia Community Shield last weekend. Here is a summary of the action along with all the results.
Munster Conference
Young Munster’s dominant scrum had a big influence on their 27-15 derby win over Garryowen in Greenfields in the Energia Community Series. They dismantled the visitors’ set-piece for two penalty tries as they kept a tight hold of top spot in Munster Conference 1.
A massive power-surge from the Young Munster scrum earned them their first penalty try, just before half-time. Garryowen had forwards Pat O’Toole and Bailey Faloon sin-binned as they trailed 13-3.
Six minutes into the second half, Munsters’ Welsh number 8 Huw Worthington sped over from a maul. The visitors hammered back with a 12-point push, including tries from hard-working youngsters Evan Maher and Cian Huxford.
Yet, Gearóid Prendergast’s charges got back on top and their strong scrum eked out a 76th-minute penalty try. Munsters are on their travels in the next round, visiting a Cashel side who gave Cork Constitution plenty of trouble.
Former Con favourite Darragh Lyons, now Cashel’s player-coach, can be justly proud of his team’s performance in a 28-17 defeat to the Division 1A heavyweights. Powerhouse second row Cathal O’Flaherty charged over for two of Con’s four tries.
Old Crescent battled back for a deserved share of the spoils away to UCC, with replacement lock Seán Monaghan and flying winger Val McDermott both crossing during the final 11 minutes to make it 26 points apiece.
Leinster Conference
In Leinster, Dublin University came through their stiffest test yet in the Energia Community Series when edging out Terenure College in a 10-try classic at Lakelands Park.
Terenure’s barnstorming start, including two Levi Vaughan tries, had them 17 points clear, but Trinity turned the tables to take a 36-31 verdict. Rob Russell set up two tries for Ronan Quinn – one with a sublime one-handed offload – and kicked 11 points.
Ireland Under-20 scrum half Ben Murphy touched down during Old Wesley’s 30-18 bonus point success against Old Belvedere, while replacement Charlie Tector’s two closing penalties saw Lansdowne prevail 13-10 at St. Mary’s College.
Captain Matt D’Arcy and hooker Dylan Donnellan bagged a brace of tries each in Clontarf’s 34-7 bonus point win over Naas.
Connacht Conference
Kiwi winger Calum Goddard’s hat-trick helped Sligo beat Ballina 36-14 to stay in control of Connacht’s Conference.
Ulster Conference
Kyle Faloon’s late try kept City of Armagh at the summit of Ulster Conference 1 after a 24-all draw with Banbridge. Ritchie McMaster scored 10 points, including the clinching penalty, as second-placed Queen’s claimed the scalp of Ballynahinch in a 20-17 victory.
ENERGIA MEN’S COMMUNITY SERIES – THIRD ROUND RESULTS:
CONNACHT CONFERENCE:
Ballina 14 Sligo 36
Galwegians v Galway Corinthians (Match cancelled – 0-0. Both teams awarded two points)
Buccaneers – Bye
LEINSTER CONFERENCE 1:
Clontarf 34 Naas 7
Old Wesley 30 Old Belvedere 18,
St. Mary’s College 10 Lansdowne 13
Terenure College 31 Dublin University 36
UCD – Bye
LEINSTER CONFERENCE 2:
Blackrock College v Navan (Match cancelled – 0-0. Both teams awarded two points)
Greystones 24 Wanderers 38
Malahide 21 Tullamore 10
Skerries 5 MU Barnhall 52
Enniscorthy – Bye
MUNSTER CONFERENCE 1:
Shannon v Highfield (Match cancelled – 0-0. Both teams are awarded two points)
Cork Constitution 28 Cashel 17
UCC 26 Old Crescent 26
Young Munster 27 Garryowen 15
MUNSTER CONFERENCE 2:
Bruff 20 Midleton 19
Nenagh Ormond 14 UL Bohemians 8
Sunday’s Well v Clonmel (Match cancelled – 0-0. Both teams awarded two points)
Dolphin – Bye
ULSTER CONFERENCE 1:
Ballynahinch 17 Queen’s University 20
City of Armagh 24 Banbridge 24
Rainey Old Boys 17 Malone 10
ULSTER CONFERENCE 2:
Bangor 41 Ballymena 34
City of Derry v Belfast Harlequins (Match cancelled – 0-0. Both teams awarded two points)
Omagh Academicals 10 Dungannon 13
