AIL boost with relief for Instonians following ‘massive amount of luck’

Paul Pritchard’s side had to survive a fightback from the Cork students after the game was marred by an injury to Inst scrum half Ruairi O’Farrell just after half-time which caused a long delay.

Inst are third going into the final weekend of regular season games, three points ahead of Garryowen but would have dropped to fourth if the UCC penalty with the last kick off the game went over instead of cannoning of the upright.

“I said to the lads there at the end of the game that it was probably about time that we got a little bit of luck,” said Pritchard. “You think back to a couple of games where we haven't been at our best and it's been a few points and things haven't really gone our way.

“We had a massive amount of luck there at the end and sometimes you need that, it's hard with the conditions there a lot of emotion and a large stoppage in the game for Ruairi's injury.

"And it's this time of the year where you'll take the points and the wins where they come.”

Inst scored all their 19 points in the first half.

“We probably feared the wind a little too much, I think it was gusty and at times we had opportunities to exit and we didn't manage that very well and that's something that we'll certainly need to address,” he said. “First half, I think I would have liked us to have been a little bit more clinical.

“I’m immensely proud of the lads, seeing one of our guys down for a long time, there was a lot of concern in that which brought a lot of emotion for us to then go out and have to put your body on the line.

“Our D (defensive) sets on our five-metre line were outstanding, some of the physicality was brilliant and I think for guys who are amateur rugby players watching a guy they spend a lot of time with go down with a head and neck injury to then be able to come out and be that physical to get the result speaks volumes for the lads.”

Oli Clarkee, Mark Lee and Bradley McNamara got the Inst tries.

City of Armagh’s hopes of a top-four finish were ended with a 26-17 defeat at Trinity and Queen’s lost 68-21 in Garryowen.

Ballynahinch beat Old Belvedere 28-12 in Division 1A.

Ballymena will remain in 2A next season after John Nicholl’s side guaranteed their safety with a 24-22 win at Greystones.

A third consecutive defeat means Dungannon must better Corinthians’ result on the final day if the Stevenson Park side are to make the play-offs.

Gannon went down 22-7 at Corinthians and are just a point in front of the Galway side.

Banbridge lost 41-19 at Wanderers.

Malone kept their Division 2B hopes alive with an 24-15 Ulster derby win over Clogher Valley.

Malone are fifth - two points behind Sligo, Rainey were beaten 40-30 at home to Galwegians.

Belfast Harlequins, at best, face a relegation play-off to preserve their senior status but could still be automatically relegated if they get no match points on the final day and Malahide get five.

The Deramore side lost 36-22 at home to the basement club.

Ballyclare’s slim play-off hopes ended with a 17-10 defeat at Thomond.