We haven’t covered any of the men’s All Ireland this season but a bit of local interest from one of our photographers got us along to the promotion play off between Belfast Harlequins and omagh Academicals.

Belfast Harlequins were looking to retain their place in Division 2B after finishing second from bottom and Omagh Academicals looking to move up from Division 2C after finishing 2nd from top in that division.

Brief match report from the IRFU

Belfast Harlequins avoided a third straight relegation, getting the better of Ulster rivals Omagh in a 26-20 home win which keeps them up in Division 2B. Accies full-back Ali Beckett‘s try before half-time gave the underdogs a 13 – 7 advantage, with the hosts having a man in the sin-bin for a high tackle.

However, ‘Quins outscored Omagh by three tries to one in the second half as prop Rory Harrison, who crossed from a lineout maul, replacement winger James McConnell and centre Mark Gribben all touched down. Winger Matty Eccles hit back late on for Omagh, but they were unable to gather the kick-off and Nick Wells‘ men held onto their lead.

Or as our photographer summed it up, “Nearly a disaster after 80 mins for Quins when their attempt to kick to touch went badly wrong and was almost recovered by Accies!”

GALLERY BELOW

Photo credit – Ian Humes Photography