Students overcome Dungannon
UCC 20 Dungannon 3
Tries in each half from back rowers James Ryan and Shane O’Sullivan helped UCC gain back-to-back wins in AIB League Division 1B this afternoon.
The Cork students proved too strong for a Dungannon side that broke their duck in the second half with an Ali Birch drop goal.
‘Gannon had won their previous two matches and were building momentum but they came unstuck at The Mardyke, particularly in the second half when Munster prospect Andrew Burke put his stamp on proceedings.
The UCC out-half converted both tries and kicked two penalties, taking his tally for the league run to 30 points.
Scorers:
UCC: Tries: James Ryan, Shane O’Sullivan; Cons: Andrew Burke 2; Pens: Andrew Burke 2
Dungannon: Drop: Ali Birch
***
St Mary’s College 19 Dolphin 10
St Mary's College made it four AIB League Division 1A wins on the spin at Templeville Road this afternoon, defeating a highly-regarded Dolphin outfit 19-10.
In an interesting encounter, St Mary's struck for tries at crucial times and defended with admirable conviction during a tense finale.
The opening quarter was packed up honest rugby as both teams enjoyed small pockets of dominance. But it was the hosts who grabbed the early scores.
Dolphin were on the front foot initially with Munster's Nick Williams providing plenty of aggression, but St. Mary's defended well.
Having absorbed Dolphin's enthusiastic start, the Dubliners then showed a few glimpses of skill with player-coach Shaun McCarthy probing from his out-half station.
St. Mary's were rewarded in the 15th minute when second row Robin Copeland pinched a lineout and crashed through for an opportunistic try - his third of the league campaign.
Full-back Gavin Dunne added the extras from an acute angle and St. Mary's were armed with a seven-point lead.
That advantage was extended just three minutes later, when Stephen Grissing made a dashing break which fashioned a chance for wide man Darragh Fanning who scampered clear for a crafty try.
Dolphin required a score and their captain Barry Keeshan stroked over a 26th minute penalty to cut the deficit to 12-3.
Keeshan was kicking into the corners was trademark precision and though the home side dealt with the resultant lineouts impressively, Dolphin still nicked a try three minutes before the interval.
Scrum half Sam Cronin's neat reverse pass found flanker Barry O'Mahony who touched down under the posts, ensuring Keeshan easily converted.
Though St Mary's were under pressure, they claimed a try on the stroke of half-time when Copeland scooped up a loose ball and finished with a flourish.
Dunne's conversion was good and St Mary's went in at the break with a 19-10 advantage.
After the restart, the weather deteriorated as rain poured from a grim, grey sky, making underfoot conditions extremely difficult.
The Mary's pack kept the contest tight, completely aware that unbeaten Dolphin needed to register scores rapidly. But they did not arrive and improving home side prevailed by nine points.
Scorers:
St. Mary’s College: Tries: Robin Copeland 2, Darragh Fanning; Cons: Gavin Dunne 2
Dolphin: Try: Barry O’Mahony; Con: Barry Keeshan; Pen: Barry Keeshan
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