O’Neill leads charge to keep Con ahead of chasing pack

IT was business as usual for Division 1A’s leading three clubs, Cork Constitution, Lansdowne and Clontarf, as they all posted home wins on the resumption of league action.

Table toppers Cork Con maintained their five-point lead over Lansdowne thanks to a 28-5 bonus-point victory over bottom side Terenure. Flanker Ross O’Neill’s 22nd-minute charge-down try set them on their way. Their starting XV contained Munster’s Duncan Williams, Kevin O’Byrne and Liam O’Connor, who could all be involved in the PRO14 against the Dragons next Saturday.

Hat-tricks from wingers Peter Sullivan and Daniel McEvoy were the highlights of Lansdowne’s stunning 66-33 success at home to Dublin University. It was 10 tries to five at the end, with Scott Deasy finishing with 19 points.

The surprise result came at Dooradoyle, where UCC claimed their second win of the campaign, overcoming Garryowen 23-22 thanks to James Taylor’s late penalty.

Out-half Ben Daly kicked nine points on his senior debut in Shannon’s 24-20 triumph away to UCD.

Third-placed Clontarf completed the double over Young Munster, winning 24-20 at Castle Avenue.

Remarkably, the ten teams in Division 1B are covered by just nine points. St Mary’s have fallen from top spot to seventh after Old Wesley’s impressive 41-15 bonus-point win at Templeville Road.

Wesley are level on points with new leaders Malone, who defeated Ulster rivals Ballynahinch 15-8.

Naas and Banbridge complete the top four, with Peter Osborne kicking the Cobras past Old Belvedere (20-18) and Bann recording an excellent 32-15 win over City of Armagh.

Buccaneers won the basement battle, prevailing 20-16 at Ballymena.