RETURNING Young Munster suffered a narrow 35-33 away loss to Ballynahinch in the opening round of the new Division 1A All-Ireland League season.
The Cookies trailed 28-7 at the turnaround, but their second half fight back just came up short as they picked up two points from the contest.
Hubert Gilvary scored two tries for Ger Slattery’s side, while Shay McCarthy, Christian Foley and Paul Allen got one apiece.
Kelvin Lenihan kicked four conversions.
In Division 1B, Garryowen won their Munster derby clash at home to UCC, 22-19.
The students led 12-8 at half-time.
Garryowen replied with tries from Alan Fitzgerald, Max Clein, and Mark Fitzgerald. Tom Woods kicked two conversions, and Lachlan Stewart added a penalty for the Light Blues.
Shannon playing their first game in Division 2A, got off to a losing start, when a second half revival saw Cashel come from 16-12 down at half time to win 26-19.
Josh Costello scored Shannon’s try. Cillian O’Connor converted and kicked three penalties and Neil Cronin also kicked a penalty.
Old Crescent started their campaign with a 16-11 home win over Ballymena. Timmy Duggan scored Crescent’s try and Jeff Williams kicked the conversion and added three penalties.
A fighting second half comeback saw UL Bohemian come from 21-12 down at half-time to beat Navan 33-21 at Balreask Old in their Division 2B encounter. Oisin Fagan was Bohs’ hero, scoring two tries and four conversions.
Joel Rowentree, Joe Johnson and Zac O’Loughlin also scored tries for the winners.
In Division 2C, Thomond defeated Bective Rangers 29-22 at Liam Fitzgerald Park. Suliano Mainavolau, Ryan O’Donovan Ahern, Riann O’Dwyer, and Colin Slater were Thomond’s try scorers. Evan Cusack kicked three conversions and a penalty.
A strong finish by Midleton saw them defeat Bruff 40-25 at the Towns Park. A try by Shane Duggan and two penalties by Paul Collins gave Bruff an early 11-0 lead, but the home side fought back to triumph.