Weekend Rugby Roundup

Highfield consolidate position in the All Ireland League, seven of the quarter finalists in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup are known as contenders for Junior League title record bonus point victories.

Highfield defeated Corinthians 31-22 in the All Ireland League Division 2A to confirm their second place in in the table seven points behind leaders Malone and twelve points ahead of their nearest challengers with just four games remaining.

Luke Kingston and Chris Bannon each scored two tries for Highfield and Eddie Earl one. Bannon converted three of the tries.

Mitchelstown came very close to a major shock at Dooradoyle as a late try saw Garryowen snatch victory on a 20-16 score line. Barry McNamara, Robert Meyer and Brian Fitzgerald scored tries for Garryowen and Lorcan Burke kicked a conversion and a penalty. Sean Coughlan replied with a try for Mitchelstown and Patrick McGee converted and added three penalties.

Trailing 20-5 after thirty minutes Cashel rallied to beat Tralee 32-20 with two tries from Sean O’Connor and one each from Paul Hayes, Ryan O’Donnell, Brian Fitzpatrick and Paul Perrin. Fitzpatrick converted one of the tries.

Young Munster defeated Sunday’s Well 38-10 at Irish Independent Park. Mark O’Mara (2), Rob Guerin, Adam Guerin, Cian Clohessy and Michael Madden were Munster’s try scorers. Adam Guerin converted four of the tries. Conor Kelleher and Danny Courtney replied with tries for the ‘Well.

Tries from Oisin O’Meara, Jack McLoughlin and Jamie Heuston, plus two conversions and two penalties by Jamie Heuston earned Kilfeacle a 25-0 away win at Castleisland. Kilfeacle must face Shannon to decide the last quarter final place.

Clonmel received a walk over from Cobh Pirates.

The quarter final line up which is scheduled for 18^th March is Young Munster v Cork Constitution; Clonmel v Cashel; Garryowen v Richmond; Shannon or Kilfeacle v Newcastle West.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate, holders Thurles defeated Waterford City 26-15. Kevin Maher scored three tries for the winners and Conor O’Hagan got one. John Lillis converted three of the tries. Jake O’Neill replied with two tries for Waterford City and Aidan Power got one. John Foskin kicked one conversion.

In the First Division of the Munster Junior League leaders Richmond defeated St. Senan’s 33-20. Pat Humphries and Jeff McNamara each scored two tries for Richmond and Jack O’Hanlon got one. Tadgh Bennett converted four of the tries. Warren Kelly scored a try for Senan’s who were also awarded a penalty try. Declan Rowe kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Bandon are five points behind the leaders after their 26-17 bonus point home win over Waterpark, but they do have a game in hand on the leaders. Scott Kingston, Aidan Slattery, Santiago Gonzalez and Enda Phelan scored tries for Bandon and Kerry Desmond converted three of them. Waterpark replied with tries from Alex Deegan and Glen Kavanagh. Tom Kiersey converted both and also added a penalty.

Holders Clonmel are now seven behind the leaders with a game in hand and Kilfeacle with two games in hand are eleven points behind Richmond.

Galbally eased their relegation worries with a 46-7 home win over Skibbereen. Michael Donovan (2), Jack Donovan, Tommy Childs, Brendan Childs and Oisin Walsh were Galbally’s try scorers. Liam Casey kicked five conversions and two penalties. Greg O’Mahony scored Skibbereen’s try and Ger Hurley converted.

Kanturk could be drawn into the relegation battle after they lost 43-14 at home to Newcastle West. Sean Ivess scored three tries for the visitors, Sean Murphy two and Martin Mullane and Brian O’Sullivan one each. Sean Herlihy kicked four conversions. Conor Cremin scored a try and a conversion for Kanturk who were also awarded a penalty try.

In Division Two Mallow eased their relegation worries with a 19-16 home win over Ballincollig. Jimmy Glynn was Mallow’s hero scoring a try, conversion and four penalties. Ballincollig had a try from Fionn McDermott and John Sheehan converted and also kicked three penalties.

In Division Three Ennis defeated Fermoy 26-7 with tries from David Flynn, Ronan O’Halloran and Enda Galvin. O’Halloran kicked two conversions and two penalties. Fermoy led 7-0 at half time with a try by Dylan Foley which Dylan Lacey converted.

Dungarvan defeated Killorglin 57-5. Pat Connors scored four tries for Dungarvan and Cillian Corkery, Dave Hickey, Martin Houlihan and Declan Fennell got one each. Hickey kicked seven conversions and a penalty. Dave Coffey replied with a try for Killorglin and Luke O’Shea converted.

In the O’Neill Cup Crosshaven got revenge for last season’s final defeat by Kinsale with a 36-5 home win to book their place in the decider. Adam Kent, Conor Dunlea, Shane Bushe, James Bourke and Tim Marron scored tries for Crosshaven and Mick Lynch kicked four conversions and a penalty. Billy Hayes was Kinsale’s try scorer.