Junior Rugby News

The Heineken Munster Junior Cup final fell victim to the weather, but a number of crunch games did take place.

What had promised to be a busy weekend of Junior rugby was hampered by the inclement weather conditions, forcing many games to be postponed.

The big game of the weekend, the meeting of Cork Constitution and UCC in the final Heineken Munster Junior Cup was one of the casualties, as was the J2 Cup final. Both games had been scheduled to be played in Musgrave Park. In North Munster, the Junior Two Webb Cup final also fell victim to the weather.

In the Division Three decider, Douglas earned promotion in an 11-5 victory over Presentation. DJ Cronin scored two penalties sin the first half, with Oisin Dineen adding a try. Ian Wallace scored Presentation s only try in the second half, but it wasn t enough to stop the Cork side.

The second semi final of the Liam Fitzgerald Cup also went ahead, with Charleville having a 13-5 win over Bandon, and booking themselves as place in the final against Crosshaven. Tries from Don Cagney and Barry Crowley gave Charleville a 10-0 half time lead, but Bandon s Mark O Mahony reduced the deficit with a try. However, James Leahy s penalty ensured Charleville stayed out of reach.

In the Junior Three Cup semi finals, Skibbereen had a 17-15 win over Midleton, with tries from Gearoid Calnan, Donal Meehan and Vincent Goggin and a conversion from Mark Kingston ensuring the win for the home side. For Midleton, Roger Harty and Keith Cocking scored the tries, with Keith Birthistle kicking a penalty and converting both tries. In the other half of the draw, Killorglin s fixture against league champions Castleisland was postponed.

In the Tait Cup, Highfield had a 27-6 win over Bandon in Woodleigh Park, with Niall O Brien, Mick Cummins, Jonathon O Callaghan, Johnny Sheehan and Conor O Leary all scoring tries for the winners and Micky Flaherty kicking a conversion to earn them a semi final place. The UCC v Corca Dhuibhne match was postponed.

Only one of the County Cup games went ahead, with Crosshaven winning 36-6 away to Muskerry. At half time, two Ian O Sullivan penalties gave Crosshaven a 6-0 lead, but Crosshaven came back in the second half, with Eamon Ring, Michael Buckley, Peter Morrissey, Pierce O Brien and captain Robert Barry all scoring tries. Richard Daly kicked four conversions and a penalty.

In the Ballyrandle Cup semi final, Clonmel had a 25-14 win at home over Fermoy. In the O Sullivan Cup, Carrick on Suir went down 5-8 to Newport after extra time.