The Leinster League got underway last weekend with last year’s Division 1A runners up Enniscorthy laying down a marker that they will be serious contenders again this season while newly promoted Gorey produced the opening day shock with victory away at Ashbourne.
At Suttonians a pair of first half tries each scored by winger David O’Dwyer and out half Ivan Poole ensured the 4-try bonus point was in the bag for the county Wexford club by half time as the visitors led 31-5 at the break.
Centre Killian Lett touched down soon after the resumption before O’Dwyer completed his hat trick late on to secure a 44-10 win for Enniscorthy.
Gorey travelled to Ashbourne and made an instant impression on their Division 1A debut as they beat their hosts 22-9 at Milltown House.
The hosts led 6-0 at the interval but a brace of second half tries from scrum half Stephen Horan as well as another by his replacement Garett Bater wrapped up the precious inaugural victory at this level for the visitors.
Monkstown gained maximum points with a 4-try 22-13 win at home in Sydney Parade against a battling Kilkenny side who were playing at this level for the first time since 2007 after winning Division 1B last term.
Lock forward Mick Carroll put the home side in front just before the interval at which stage they led 5-3 but the visitors continued to make life difficult nudging ahead again before tries from prop forward Aaron O’Callaghan and replacement three quarter Mick Nevin put the home side back in control.
The visitors continued to press scoring a late try before winger Joe D’Arcy gleaned the bonus point by touching down with the last play of the game.
At home in Kirwan Park De La Salle Palmerston sneaked past Clondalkin 15-13 as they made a winning start to life outside of the AIL.
A first half try scored by flank forward Shane Tynan helped the Kilternan club into an 8-3 lead at the break and winger Gav Beere’s touch down on the resumption proved to be enough to keep a late surge from the west Dubliners at bay.
Tomorrow Enniscorthy welcome Ashbourne to Ross Road, Monkstown are away to Clondalkin at Gordon Park, Gorey entertain De La Salle Palmerston at Clonattin while Suttonians travel to Foulkstown to tackle Kilkenny.
In Division 1B Sunday was a good day for travelling teams as three out of four won and the other game ended level.
Malahide led 20-7 at half time away in Mullingar but the home team battled back in the second half to force an exciting 20-20 draw.
Elsewhere Coolmine grabbed a late penalty to win 18-15 at Cill Dara in the battle of the two relegated clubs, Wicklow overcame a stern home Longford challenge 17-6 while North Kildare are the early pacesetters following their bonus point 34-20 victory at Tullow.
In Division 2A all home teams won with 4-try bonus points; Newbridge, Portlaoise, Portarlington and Railway Union are all on maximum points after opening day wins.
Division 2B is divided into two sections, in Pool 1 there were victories for Athy, Roscrea and Arklow while in Pool 2 the winners were Swords, Midland Warriors and Balbriggan.
