AIB League: Promoted ‘Stones Lift Division Three Title

Already assured of promotion and unbeaten since October, Greystones deservedly reclaimed the AIB League Division Three trophy at Lansdowne Road today, as they brushed Instonians aside 39-20.

Already assured of promotion and unbeaten since October, Greystones deservedly reclaimed the AIB League Division Three trophy at Lansdowne Road today, as they brushed Instonians aside 39-20.

AIB League Division Three Final: Saturday, May 7
Greystones 39 Instonians 20, Lansdowne Road

Scorers: Greystones: Tries: Dave McKechnie 2, David Popplewell, Dan McGettigan, Rob Connolly, Nathan Beuck, Stewart O’Connell; Cons: Warren Edwards 2
Instonians: Tries: Craig Simeon, Quentin Caulfield, Michael Orchin-McKeever; Con: Sean Flynn; Pen: Flynn

Inst, whose director of rugby John McKibbin and coach Bruce Cornelius were both in charge for a final time, did make a fight of it at the death as winger Michael Orchin-McKeever grabbed their third try to reduce the deficit to 27-20.

But the lighting pace of ‘Stones right winger Nabile McNaughton eased any worries the Wicklow men had as his mazy run set up replacement flanker Nathan Beuck for a quick reply, and left winger Stewart O’Connell then made the result safe with a touchdown in the right corner in injury-time.

‘Stones roared into a 22-5 half-time lead, with Dave McKechnie (2), David Popplewell and Dan McGettigan on target. Prop Pierre du Toit’s sin-binning before the interval allowed Inst back into it.

Kiwi flanker Craig Simeon grabbed a try in the 16th-minute of the first half, then fly-half Sean Flynn added a penalty to replamacent Quentin Caulfield’s try on the restart to keep the Belfast side’s hopes alive.

‘Stones flanker Rob Connolly – bagging an incredible eighteenth try of the season – broke past a high tackle to score before Orchin-McKeever further hacked away at the champions’ lead with a well-taken try.

Nonetheless, Beuck and the elusive O’Connell crossed in the closing minutes to post up ‘Stones’ fifth and best-celebrated win over Inst in five league meetings.

‘Stones fly-half Warren Edwards claimed the man-of-the-match award for his marshalling of a fleet-footed backline.

Greystones: D McKechnie; N McNaughton, C McNaughton, A Higgs, S O’Connell; W Edwards, D Popplewell; L Murphy (Capt), R Willis, P du Toit, D McGettigan, G Murphy, S McEntee, R Connolly, C McEntee.
Subs used: N Hopkins for du Toit (53-58 mins), Hopkins for Murphy (65), N Beuck for S McEntee (68) B Holmes for McGettigan (78).

Instonians: A McKinney; M Orchin-McKeever (Capt), N Stewart, M Young, G McClintock; S Flynn, A Craig; B Barrett, J Craig, G Mitchell, J Gardiner, K Morton, M Hill, C Simeon, M Smith.
Subs used: D Sloan for A Craig, D Brownrigg for Barrett, F Gallagher for J Craig, Q Caulfield for Smith (all half-time), B Wallace for McKinney (56), McKinney for McClintock (69).

Sin-bin: Pierre du Toit (Greystones) (36 mins)
HT: Greystones 22 Instonians 5

Referee: George Clancy (Munster)