AIB League: Bohs Triumph In Last Outing At Thomond

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, March 3

UL Bohemians 15 Shannon 6, Thomond Park

Scorers: UL Bohs: Tries: Ian Hanley 2; Con: Ben Martin; Pen: Martin
Shannon: Pens: Andrew Thompson 2

Ian Hanley touched down twice as UL Bohemians beat their Limerick rivals Shannon in the last ever match at the old Thomond Park.

Hanley struck the crucial blows as Bohs beat the Division One champions for the second time this season. They also won the Limerick Charity Cup.

Bohs led 5-3 at the break as Hanley bagged his first try and Shannon veteran Andrew Thompson landed a penalty.

Shannon’s pack failed to take control after the break and Ben Martin converted Hanley’s second try and added a penalty see Bohs leapfrog their Thomond Park co-tenants in the table.

St. Mary’s College 27 UCD 20, Templeville Road

Scorers: Mary’s: Tries: Gareth Logan 2, Ronan Doherty, Jonathan Sexton; Cons: Sexton 2; Pen: Sexton
UCD: Tries: Vasily Artemiev, Penalty try; Cons: Fergus McFadden 2; Pen: McFadden; Drop: Ian Keatley

It may have been Ladies Day at Templeville Road but St. Mary’s captain Gareth Logan took centre stage as he bagged a brace of tries against UCD.

Mary’s recovered from going 10-0 down to ease their relegation worries. Russian-born winger Vasily Artemiev was off the mark early for the students.

But with UCD’s Richie Mandeno in the sin bin, his second row rival Logan touched down and winger Ronan Doherty followed suit as Mary’s led 17-10 at half-time.

The UCD pack eked out a penalty try before out-half Jonathan Sexton, who scored 12 points in all, made the game safe for the hosts.

Lansdowne 8 Belfast Harlequins 5, Lansdowne Road (back pitch)

Scorers: Lansdowne: Try: Gavin O’Meara; Pen: Andrew Geraghty
Harlequins: Try: Keith Pyper

Four players saw yellow as Lansdowne dug deep to end Belfast Harlequins’ recent winning run.

‘Quins lost for the first time in six AIB League and Cup outings as the hosts’ replacement hooker Gavin O’Meara scored late.

Front row rivals Paul Doran-Jones and Niall Conlon were sin-binned in the 17th-minute, and ‘Quins player-coach Andy Ward (21) and Lansdowne winger John Coleman (38) were also flashed yellows.

After a scoreless opening half, Andrew Geraghty kicked Lansdowne in front before ‘Quins centre Keith Pyper cut through for a 47th-minute try.

However, a powerful lineout drive saw Vinnie O’Dowd pass for O’Meara to clinch the win.

Galwegians 13 Terenure College 25, Crowley Park

Scorers: Galwegians: Try: Anthony Barrett; Con: Nick Wakley; Pens: Wakley 2
Terenure: Tries: Alex Dunlop 2, Adam Hughes 2; Con: Rob McCarthy; Pen: McCarthy

Alex Dunlop and Adam Hughes scored two tries apiece as Terenure College got the better of Galwegians at Crowley Park.

The Dubliners struck for tries after 9 and 24 minutes to lead 10-6 at the break.

Two Nick Wakley penalties kept the hosts in contention, although they did lose Connacht flanker Matt Lacey to a yellow card.

‘Nure prop Stephen Nolan also spent time in the sin bin and the Dubliners had to cope with losing player-coach James Blaney through injury.

‘Wegians saw Anthony Barrett cross the whitewash but they had Lacey sent-off for earning his second yellow late on.