Ulster clubs suffer AIL play-off pain at semi-final stage as dream ends in disappointment for Instonians, Dungannon and Clogher Valley

It brought the curtain down on a disappointing season for Ulster clubs in the AIL with none promoted and three relegated.

Queen’s will play in Division 2A next season, Banbridge will be in the newly-formed Division 2B North while Belfast Harlequins lost their senior status and drop into the junior ranks.

The only bright spark came from Enniskillen, who will play in the AIL for the first time in their history after beating Boyne in the play-off final to become a senior club.

Instonians travelled to College Park to face Trinity in the 1B semi-final.

Paul Pritchard’s players were chasing a fifth consecutive promotion but there was no happy ending on the player/coach’s 200th AIL appearance as the Shaw’s Bridge club went down 32-21.

Inst had led twice in the game, but the Dublin students finished strong in the last quarter.

Hooker Oli Clark gave Instonians an early boost when he picked over an overthrow from a Trinity lineout and crossed from five metres for the game’s opening try.

Josh Eagleson went on to add the conversion.

Trinity captain David Walsh went after the home side patiently worked the ball through a number of phases.

Ulster full back Bradley McNamara restored the Inst lead with the visitors second try from a well=worked move.

Eagleson landed the conversion to give the Belfast side a 14-7 lead at the interval.

The were tied again shortly after the restart as Trinity winger Johnny O’Sullivan raced onto a chip to touchdown for a converted try.

Home scrum half Oscar Crawley caught the Inst defence off guard when he surged over from quick tap penalty from 10 metres out for a converted try.

Playing with a penalty advantage Eagleson scored Instonians third and the out half’s conversion tied the scores again.

Trinity out half Matty Lynch restored the students lead with a penalty from in front of the posts.

Winger Hugh Goodard added Trinity’s fourth try as the students spun the ball wide from a free kick.

The conversion was missed but Lynch added a late penalty to seal the victory.

Dungannon were chasing back-to-back promotions but lost 34-22 to a resurgent Shannon at Thomond Park in the Division 2A play-offs.

Shannon openside flanker Oisin Minogue scored all four of his sides tries, out half Jamie Gavin converted all four and added two penalties.

James Gamble got two tries for Dungannon with Sam Montgomery also touching down.

Ben McCaughey converted two and added a penalty.

Clogher Valley suffered a second consecutive Division 2B semi-final defeat.

Last season the Fivemiletown club lost with the last kick of the game against Dungannon.

This time around they travel to Limerick to face UL Bohs.

The students outscored Clogher by four tries to two in a 27-15 victory.

As a result, meaning the Co Tyrone side will play in Division 2B North.