LEINSTER CLUB RUGBY
IN the second series of games in the AIL Round Robin tomorrow, Ashbourne travel to Bandon in their quest for a place in the Ulster Bank League but to achieve a positive result the Meath club will have to overcome the scars inflicted by Enniscorthy in a heavy Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup semi-final defeat last Sunday at Cill Dara Rugby Club.
Ashbourne came from ten points down on three occasions in their opener at home against Instonians a fortnight ago, including inside the final ten minutes when they snatched two late tries to secure a
24-24 draw that included seizing a precious four-try bonus point.
As a result, they sit on three points, two behind leaders Ballina who bagged the maximum haul when they beat Bandon 45-26; indeed the visiting Co Cork club also picked up a four-try bonus point to give them something to latch onto ahead of their final two games at their Old Chapel home.
Enniscorthy were totally dominant in every facet of their Towns Cup victory at wind-swept Silken Thomas Park on Sunday as they inflicted a 36-5 defeat on Ashbourne while holders Tullow defended stoically against a second-half Wicklow onslaught to record a 14-5 win and set up a repeat of the 2012 decider in Wicklow Rugby Club’s grounds at Ashtown Lane on Sunday week.
Indeed it will be a unique occasion as the final will be broadcast live for the first time ever on eir Sport where it will be available free-to-air as well as on the Bank of Ireland Facebook page.
The Metropolitan Cup is the city equivalent of its country cousin and Terenure etched their name on the plinth for the ninth time when they beat debutant finalists De La Salle Palmerston 36-20 in last Sunday’s final at Energia Park (Donnybrook).
The Kilternan club had led 17-15 at half-time but tries from replacement flanker Paddy Thornton, outhalf Conor Pender, wing-forward James O’Neill, lock forward Rob Lalor and flank forward Niall Lalor ensured that the trophy was headed for Dublin 6W. The other 6W club, St Mary’s College set the tone for the locality on Friday when they won the Moran Cup (J3) for the tenth time beating De La Salle Palmerston
18-13 at Energia Park.
Two Metro League Finals were decided last Saturday. AIB won Division 9 when they withstood a late Clondalkin charge at their DCU base to prevail on a 24-23 scoreline, while Terenure College won 14-12 away in Estuary Road against Malahide to secure the Division 10 crown.
The Albert O’Connell Cup Final
(J2) is being staged tonight in Energia Park where holders Clontarf and Wanderers will lock horns. The Metro Plate Final (J1) between Clontarf and MU Barnhall will be played at Castle Avenue, this evening.