‘Stones Close Out Rampant Season

Greystones certainly went on the rampage in Division Three this season. Fifteen wins out of sixteen, 546 points scored, eleven bonus points and a first class ticket back to Division Two secured.

Having missed out on promotion by a single point to Highfield last season, the Wicklow men have taken revenge on almost every side they have faced since last May’s 18-11 Division Three final win over Ards.

Last Saturday’s 18-13 defeat of Suttonians was the Liam Murphy-skippered ‘Stones’ fourteenth straight since October’s 26-22 collapse to Queen’s University.

Ironically Stones’ success at Suttonians – thanks to tries from David McKechnie and Rob Connolly – sets them up for a home semi-final crack at the same Dublin 13 opposition at the end of the month.

Clonakilty v Instonians will be the other final four pairing, with Inst bagging third spot thanks to a healthier points difference over the Cork men.

Inst whitewashed Portadown 41-0 in their final league outing, as flankers Mike Hill and Craig Simeon, hooker Fergus Gallagher (2), prop Brian Barratt and number 8 Mike Smith pounced for a hatful of tries at Chambers Park.

Queens – out of contention for the business end – tallied up an impressive 66-0 troucing of bottom side Ballina, who have slumped out of the AIB League reckoning to be replaced by the round robin winner.

Queen’s skipper Glen Moore, Dylan Carleton, Derek Hall, who scored the students’ bonus point try on 28 minutes, Michael Rainey, James Ritchie, Jeff Wong, Aaron Ferris and hat-trick scoring number 8 Timmy Smith were all on target for the home side.

Ards were outstanding in their 52-29 dismissal of Sunday’s Well at Hamilton Park, but it was to no avail – as Inst and Suttonians secured the final play-off spots by a single point – 48 to 47.

Ards right wing Neil Beggs picked off three excellent tries though, with team captain Michael Creighton crossing for one in each half.

Elsewhere, Old Wesley ended the season on a high note as they got the better of Banbridge – scoring four unanswered tries in the second half from winger Alan Dunne, centre Mark Heap, number 8 Kurt Steinbach and flanker Chris McClean, for a 33-12 victory at Donnybrook.

2004/05 Season Ups And Downs:

Division Three:
Promoted: Greystones
Semi-finals: Saturday, April 30: Greystones v Suttonians, Clonakilty v Instonians (both kick-offs 2.30pm)
Div Two Relegation-Promotion Play-off: Saturday, April 23: Barnhall v Clonakilty (kick-off 2.30pm)
Relegated: Ballina

AIB LEAGUE: Saturday, April 16 Results:

DIVISION THREE:

Ards 52 Sunday’s Well 19, Hamilton Park
Clonakilty 17 Corinthians 15, Shannonvale Cross
Old Wesley 33 Banbridge 12, Donnybrook
Portadown 0 Instonians 41, Chambers Park
Queen’s University 66 Ballina 0, Dub Lane
Skerries 26 Connemara 19, Holmpatrick
Suttonians 13 Greystones 18, John J MacDowell Park
Wanderers 22 Bruff 35, Merrion Road