LONGHORNS 52 BANBRIDGE BRONCOS 24
CRAIG BEST, Garda Westmanstown RFC, Saturday

LONGHORNS, who had finished third, completed a memorable run through the play-offs by comfortably accounting for the league leaders and defending champions.

A strong start in which an 18-0 lead was established with tries by James Buckeridge, Sean Mahon and Luke Carton – with Conor Colman adding the first three of his eight goals – put Longhorns firmly in the driving seat.

But the Broncos were only 24-12 behind early in the second period, Evin Ratchford having converted tries either side of the break for Matthew Coulter and Isireli Matea, with Graeme O’Reilly dotting down by way of response.

Longhorns, however, went 46-12 up with touchdowns for Michael Power, Jake Murray, Linden Bichel and Buckeridge.

And although Banbridge closed strongly with tries by Coulter and Aaron Falloon – both improved by Ratchford – the Ireland League’s leading try-scorer Hamish Walker crossed in between, his ninth touchdown of the campaign bringing up the half-century and sealing a sixth title.

LONGHORNS: Shane Clarke, James Buckeridge, Jake Murray, Conor Creaby, Seán Mahon, Conor Colman, Hamish Walker, Graeme O’Reilly, Conor Mahon, Luke Carton, Dominic Greene, Aaron Beirne, Oisín Carroll. Subs: Daryl Maxwell, Linden Bichel, Michael Power, Aaron Smith, Max Samuel

BRONCOS: Aaron Falloon, Ethan Whyte, Grant Murphy, Kyle Gallagher, Cody Waters, Isireli Matea, Eoin Ratchford, Jonny Campbell, Johnny Dunlop, Morisi McGoon, Jon Sturgeon, Joshua Moore, Wayne Kelly. Subs: Aaron McMaster, James Welling, Pat Quigley, Matthew Coulter, Lorcan Kelly

Referee: Liam Diskin

Dublin City Exiles beat Galway Tribes 30-24 in the Women’s Grand Final.