The third round of league games were played in Cork on the 20th of November. Going into the weekend all four teams had 4 points. The games opened with Connacht playing Leinster in the season's most defensive encounter. Both teams struggled to break down strong defences and it wasn't until the last quarter that Leinster pulled away for the win.
Next up was Munster V Ulster. Munster had a large squad for the weekend and built up a good lead in the first quarter. Ulster, who were missing some senior players, managed to hang on during the early onslaught and at half time were still in the game. The match turned on the sin binning of Alan Dineen for a flagrant foul, which resulted in 5 turnovers. Munster never recovered and Ulster hung on to win the match and a valuable 2 points.
After a large and delicious lunch, Leinster played Ulster. The winner of the match would top the league. The first half was close with both teams playing some good hard rugby. In the end though Ulster missed the experience of Bernard Rooney and Leinster pulled away to win the match and top the league.
The final and most exciting game of the day was Munster v Connacht. The winner of the match would avoid the wooden spoon and a semi final against Leinster. Connacht started strongly with John Finn and Aidan Hynes combining well to give Connacht a commanding lead going into half time. The home team came out at the start of the 2nd half determined not to lose two in a row on their home patch. Munster upped their intensity and forced Connacht into unforced errors. With two minutes left Conancht led by 1 and had possesion, as they attacked Munster's line a Munster hand reached in and managed to earn a jump ball, giving possesion to Munster. Munster urged on by the home crowd scored to draw the game level. Both teams scored again to bring the game into overtime. The teams were still inseparable after three minutes of overtime and the game was declared a draw. With both teams level on 5 points Munster finished ahead of Connacht with a superior points difference.
Final Table
Leinster 8
Ulster 6
Munster 5 +3
Connacht 5 -8
Final Round Irish League
IWA Sports Hall, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin
December 17th
Morning
11 am Munster v Ulster
12pm Leinster v Connacht
After Lunch
3rd/4th Playoff
Final
After a large and delicious lunch, Leinster played Ulster. The winner of the match would top the league. The first half was close with both teams playing some good hard rugby. In the end though Ulster missed the experience of Bernard Rooney and Leinster pulled away to win the match and top the league.
The final and most exciting game of the day was Munster v Connacht. The winner of the match would avoid the wooden spoon and a semi final against Leinster. Connacht started strongly with John Finn and Aidan Hynes combining well to give Connacht a commanding lead going into half time. The home team came out at the start of the 2nd half determined not to lose two in a row on their home patch. Munster upped their intensity and forced Connacht into unforced errors. With two minutes left Conancht led by 1 and had possesion, as they attacked Munster's line a Munster hand reached in and managed to earn a jump ball, giving possesion to Munster. Munster urged on by the home crowd scored to draw the game level. Both teams scored again to bring the game into overtime. The teams were still inseparable after three minutes of overtime and the game was declared a draw. With both teams level on 5 points Munster finished ahead of Connacht with a superior points difference.
Final Table
Leinster 8
Ulster 6
Munster 5 +3
Connacht 5 -8
Final Round Irish League
IWA Sports Hall, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin
December 17th
Morning
11 am Munster v Ulster
12pm Leinster v Connacht
After Lunch
3rd/4th Playoff
Final
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