AIB League – Another Late Late Con Show

A try from centre Jean-Vincent Igarza in the eight minute of added time gave Cork Constitution a 29-26 win over Clontarf at Castle Avenue to keep them on top of Division One.

It was the sixth time in nine games that Con have waited until the very death to secure a victory but it was one that keeps them top of the league, one point clear of Shannon. Con led 17-5 at the break thanks to tries from Ultan O’Callaghan and Cian Mahony but Tarf came right back into in the second half scoring three tries – two from Niall O’Brien in the space of five minutes. On the hour mark, Ben Wakeley’s try, converted by David McAllister, had the home side 26-22 in front and it stayed that way until Igarza’s late strike.

In Templeville Road, Tommy Cregan scored two tries and was responsible for a final tally of 19 points as Shannon swept to a 34-13 victory over St Mary’s. Full-back John Lacey also scored a brace of tries for the winners.

In Dubarry Park, Buccaneers survived a late Ballymena rally to emerge 23-17 winners and remain in third spot. They are seven points adrift of second placed Shannon and have in turn opened a five point gap back to Belfast Harlequins who beat Dolphin 33-16 in Musgrave Park.

Garryowen led 19-10 at half-time of their game with UCD at Dooradoyle. The students struck back however with a Phillip Bredin penalty and a try from hooker David Blaney but Alan Purcell then landed a penalty for the home side to ease them home.

In Oak Park, Andy Tallon struck with a late penalty to earn Lansdowne a share of the spoils and in Stradbrook, tries from Michael Price, Pedro Fonseco and Emmet Farrell helped Blackrock come from behind to win 27-16.