Junior Rugby News

Bandon lift the O’ Neill Cup defeating Ballincollig, while Mallow deny Cork Transport the double by winning the J4 Cup

O NEILL CUP FINAL

Ballincollig 3 Bandon 11

Bandon collected the O Neill Cup after a thrilling game at Musgrave Park on Sunday. Despite a fantastic first half performance by Ballincollig, the score remained locked on 3-3 at half time. Bandon s patience paid off, and the revitalised West Cork side sealed the victory in the second half. Having beaten Douglas and Old Christians in the run up to the final, Bandon had cause to celebrate after a somewhat disappointing league campaign.

Bandon had the first opportunity to put points on the board after two minutes, but kicker Kevin Lucey missed the kick. Despite this early signal of intent, Ballincollig quickly turned things around and dominated for most of the first half. Playing against a bigger Bandon pack, Ballincollig had some trouble with the set pieces, with the lineouts in particular denying them clean possession. Bandon made some excellent ground with rolling mauls down the pitch, which caused untold problems for Ballincollig. Despite this, Ballincollig did manage to hold the ball for long periods in the half. Centre Damien Howig came close to the line early in the first half only to be tackled close to the line. Ballincollig put the first score on the board, with Ken O Connell converting a penalty after seven minutes. Five minutes later Bandon responded with Lucey making no mistake this time around and levelling the score. Ken O Connell continued to impress, with his kicking for yards particularly effective in keeping play well inside the Bandon half. Unfortunately, he didn t have the same result in his place kicking, uncharacteristically missing three kicks before half time to keep the sides level at the break, with the Bandon defence firmly holding.

After the restart, a rejuvenated Bandon launched their attack, and in a reverse of the first half, it was a case of Bandon keeping play well inside the Ballincollig half. Particularly impressing for Bandon were No. 8 Mark O Mahony and wing forward James Desmond. Both back rows had a busy day, with Barry O Connell and Willie Schubert showing class for Ballincollig. There was a deadlock for much of the second half, with Bandon keeping sustained pressure on the Ballincollig defence. With Lucey missing another attempt at goal after 23 minutes, the try eventually came after 29 minutes, with prop Ollie Aherne getting the touchdown after some excellent forward play. A drop goal from Lucey after 33 minutes sealed the victory for Bandon, with Ballincollig failing to make any real headway in the second half. The sides finished Bandon 11 Ballincollig 3.

Bandon: 15. Eoin Verline, 14. Pat O Connell, 13. Kevin Lucey, 12. Pat Prendergast, 11. Marius Cornelius, 10. Alan Johnson, 9. Anthony Neville, 1. Ollie Aherne, 2. Tim O’Callaghan, 3. Tim Crowley, 4. Bryan Graham, 5. Matt O Driscoll, 6. James Desmond, 7. Garrett O Driscoll, 8. Mark O’Mahony. Subs: Niall O Flynn for Alan Johnson, Colm Hurley for James Desmond, Willie O Donovan for Ollie Aherne, Des Prendergast for Bryan Graham

Ballincollig: 15. Owen Cahill, 14. Owen Crowley, 13. Damien Howig, 12. Darren Keohane, 11. Ronnie Murphy, 10. Ken O Connell, 9. Darragh Lancaster, 1. Danny Gleeson, 2. Barry Stevenson, 3. John Redmond, 4. Colm O Mahony, 5. Fergus Lordan, 6. Matt Chapman, 7. Willie Schubert, 8. Barry O Connell Subs: Rudi Connachey for Barry Stevenson, Fergal Thompson for Fergus Lordan

JUNIOR 4 CUP FINAL

Cork Transport 10 Mallow 17

Mallow put an end to Cork Transport s hopes of completing the J4 league and cup double after a tough game in Musgrave Park on Sunday. With the sides remaining within a score of each other for most of the game, it was Mallow s out half Richard Dorgan who gave them the edge, kicking twelve of their seventeen points.

Mallow had the first opportunity to put points on the board after three minutes, but Dorgan was unable to convert his first attempt. Ten minutes later, his opposite number Mark Bevan also missed a kick at goal to keep the side scoreless. For much of the opening quarter, Mallow were put under considerable pressure, with play kept well inside their half. The North Cork side soaked up the pressure with some excellent defence, before launching their own attack. Two penalties awarded for high tackles brought Mallow inside Transport s half. Transport were alert however, and quick to swallow up attacking runs by centres Clive Kerrisk and Brendan O Brien. Mallow came close to scoring a try when Cork Transport s full back Shane Desmond s clearing kick was blocked down and chased by Jim Maloney at No. 8 for Mallow. Maloney was tackled on the line, but a penalty was awarded and outhalf Richard Dorgan put the first points on the board, giving Mallow a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes. Transport came straight back with some excellent play, bringing them within 10 metres. A quick tap penalty was taken, but some die hard defending by Mallow drove them back outside the 22 and forced a knock on. Transport kept on the attack however, and continued to drive for the line. Their patience was rewarded and the try eventually came close to the half hour mark, with stalwart second row Kevin Deasy crossing the line and giving Transport a two point advantage. Play immediately came back to the other end of the pitch, with a determined Mallow aiming for a score before half time to reclaim the lead. It looked like the try was on when the ball was let out the back line to winger Aidan Buckley, but a push into touch inches form the try line denied him the score. At the end of first half, Mallow continued to push for the line, and held possession. A penalty close to half time taken by Dorgan gave them another three points, giving them a one point edge heading into the break.

Both sides grappled for possession early in the in the second half, with Mallow just getting the edge. Dorgan added another three points to his tally twelve minutes into the second half from a penalty, and again after 18 minutes to stretch their lead to 12-5. Transport made a number of attempts to strive for the line, but some handling errors and a solid Mallow defence contrived to make it very tough for them. However, when the opportunity came, Transport were quick to take full advantage. A fantastic interception by Transport s full back Shane Desmond brought him over the half way line from his own 22. A quick thinking kick to his winger James Deasy saw Transport score a fantastic try, giving them a great boost going into the last quarter just two points behind. Mallow had an opportunity to stretch the lead once more after 28 minutes, but Dorgan s kick going just left of the posts. Transport kept the pressure on, and brought play back into the Mallow half. With Bevan missing a penalty in the 37th minute, Transport found themselves running out of time despite a supreme effort. Mallow finished with a flourish, with a great break by centre Clive Kerrisk setting up Conrad Barry for a fantastic try. The game finished Cork Transport 10 Mallow 17.

Mallow Team: 15. Pat Dockery (capt), 14. Aidan Buckley, 13. Brendan O Brien, 12. Clive Kerrisk, 11. Niall Coughlan, 10. Richard Dorgan, 9. Steve Nolan, 1. Ben Shannon, 2. John Barry, 3. Ian Vaughan, 4. Nick Tarrent, 5. Gavin Lynch, 6. Conrad Barry, 7. Trevor Costelloe, 8. Jim Maloney. Subs: Tony Gore for Steve Nolan, Des O Sullivan for Pat Dockery

Cork Transport Team: 15. Shane Desmond, 14. James Deasy, 13. Paidi Corkery, 12. Paul Gardiner, 11. Patsy Ryan, 10. Mark Bevan, 9. Niall Kiely, 1. Ger Wade, 2. Denis McCarthy, 3. Niall Butt, 4. Barry Murphy, 5. Kevin Deasy, 6. Philip Scott, 7. Kevin Mulcahy, 8. Michael Curtin Subs: Mark McCarthy for Paul Gardiner, Pat Coughlan for Kevin Mulcahy, Jer Dunlea for Kevin Deasy, Michael Murphy for Niall Butt

Referee: Tim O Brien