AIB CUP ROUND-UP: A FEW MILDLY surprising results were evident in round two of the AIB Cup this past weekend.
UL Bohemians are the first Division 1A team to crash out but then they don’t possess the squad to survive the loss of frontline players like Michael Essex and Tommy O’Donnell to Munster A duty (Anthony Foley’s men beat Leinster A 21-15 on Friday night).
UL Bohs were comfortably beaten 26-7 by the visiting Belfast Harlequins, the Icarus club of Irish rugby having dramatically tumbled from the top tier in recent seasons. The victory earned them a home tie against Dolphin when the third round takes place on November 7th.
The other eyebrow-raising result saw Dungannon lose at home to Queen’s University, 31-23. Queen’s have been drawn against fellow students UCC next.
Elsewhere, Cork Constitution just knocked out the defending champions Ballynahinch on their own patch. The 18-16 result saw Con set up a mouth-watering third round game against Shannon – the 2008 champions buried their poor start in the league by hosing Buccaneers 49-26 at the alternative venue of St Munchin’s College.
The other interesting third round fixtures, from a Leinster perspective, sees Lansdowne provided with an opportunity to prove they should be contesting top flight rugby as they have been given a home tie against Blackrock, who continued their recent good form with a 49-13 defeat of Malone.
Old Belvedere got Clontarf, who, like Shannon, can’t seem to win in the league but racked up 50 points down in Old Crescent.
Garryowen at home to St Mary’s completes the main events in the next round but a lull in A fixtures and the Heineken Cup allows the focus to switch back to the All-Ireland league this coming weekend.
AIB CUP THIRD ROUND DRAW( Matches to be played on November 7th): A: Lansdowne v Blackrock College; B: Old Belvedere v Clontarf; C: Cork Constitution v Shannon; D: Ballymena v Young Munster; E: Garryowen v St Mary's College; F: Belfast Harlequins v Dolphin; G: UCD v Galwegians; H: Queen's University v UCC.
Quarter-finals draw(Matches to be played on November 21st): Winners F v Winners G; Winners A v Winners E; Winners C v Winners H; Winners D v Winners B
