AIB League: Another Bonus Point For ‘Tarf

…Clontarf winger Derek Keane takes on James Norton of St. Mary’s College…

There seems to be little stopping Clontarf’s march towards a home semi-final berth as they got the better of St. Mary’s for their ninth straight win in Division One.

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, April 15-Sunday, April 16

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 23 CLONTARF 32, Templeville Road

Scorers: St. Mary’s: Tries: John McWeeney, James Norton; Cons: Jonathan Sexton 2; Pens: Sexton 3

Clontarf: Tries: Darragh O’Shea, Derek Keane 2, Niall O’Brien; Cons: O’Shea 3; Pens: O’Shea 2

‘Tarf repeated their recent Leinster Senior Cup triumph over Mary’s to secure a play-off spot. Beefy winger Derek Keane scored two of their four tries – taking his tally to 13 in 14 League games.

Mary’s captain John McWeeney scored his first of the campaign – an 80-metre intercept effort – but there was no joy for the Templeville Road hosts. Clontarf full-back Darragh O’Shea led the scoring with a try, three conversions and two penalties (17 points).

Leinster recruit Jonny Hepworth came off the bench to make a telling contribution for ‘Tarf – he set up winger Niall O’Brien for the bonus point-clinching try in injury-time. It is the fourth time in five seasons that Clontarf have finished in the top four in Division One.

BELFAST HARLEQUINS 33 BLACKROCK COLLEGE 19, Deramore Park

Scorers: Harlequins: Tries: Johnny Lowe 2, Chris McCarey, Roger Kirkwood; Cons: Johnny McClaughlin 2; Pens: McClaughlin 3

Blackrock: Tries: Dave Dillon, Adam Byrnes, Fionn Carr; Cons: Paddy O’Toole 2

Leinster lock Adam Byrnes crossed for a try but Blackrock could not beat a gritty Belfast Harlequins side at Deramore Park.

‘Quins, who led 15-7 at the interval, mustered tries from winger Johnny Lowe (2), new scrum half Roger Kirkwood and back row Chris McCarey to maintain their run in sixth in the Division One table.

Player-coach Dave Dillon and Ireland Under-21 flyer Fionn Carr also crossed for ‘Rock tries. Johnny McClaughlin top-scored, kicking three penalties and two conversions for ‘Quins.

Andy Ward’s ‘Quins side have a big date on Friday as they contest the First Trust Ulster Senior Cup final against Malone.

GARRYOWEN 54 COUNTY CARLOW 7, Dooradoyle

Scorers: Garryowen: Tries: Pat Humphries 2, Gerry Hurley 2, Kevin Hartigan, Ciaran O’Boyle, Damien Varley, Paul Neville; Cons: Conor Kilroy 4; Pens: Kilroy 2

Carlow: Try: Ross Jackson; Con: Greg Jacob

Garryowen eased their way into the Division One semi-finals as they ran in eight tries past bottom side Carlow.

The Limerick men ran amok at Dooradoyle as their 13th win in 14 League games saw them move back into first place in the table.

Early tries from hooker Pat Humphries (2) got them on their way. Garryowen led 35-7 at the break with scrum half Gerry Hurley, winger Ciaran O’Boyle and centre Kevin Hartigan also touching down.

Winger Ross Jackson grabbed Carlow’s only score. The Sky Blues’ dominance continued in the second half with tries from replacement hooker Damien Varley and back row Paul Neville.

LANSDOWNE 34 DUNGANNON 32, Lansdowne Road

Scorers: Lansdowne: Corey Burt, Vinnie O’Dowd, Ken Kennedy, Justin Meagher; Cons: Burt 4; Pens: 2

Dungannon: Tries: Neil Patterson, James Bates, Andrew Kirkpatrick, Andrew Hughes; Cons: Gareth Steenson, Patterson, James Sheills; Pens: Steenson 2

Lansdowne and Dungannon scored four tries apiece as the headquarters side picked up their sixth AIB League win.

All eight tries were scored in a lively second half after the sides had ended the first at 6-6. Out-halves Corey Burt and Gareth Steenson kicked two penalties apiece.

Lansdowne’s Burt took his season’s tally to 171 points as he scored a try and added four penalties. Flanker Vinnie O’Dowd, centre Killian Kennedy and winger Justin Meagher also touched down for Lansdowne.

Centre Andrew Kirkpatrick and Neil Patterson, scrum half James Bates and skipper Andrew Hughes bagged tries for ‘Gannon, who had trailed 34-13. But a late burst helped them gain a bonus point.