Weekend Rugby Roundup

23rd March 2004 By Munster Rugby

Despite the appalling weather conditions that marred several games, there was plenty of excitement in several of the games that did go ahead.

Despite the appalling weather conditions that marred several games, there was plenty of excitement in several of the games that did go ahead.

Nenagh Ormond reached their third Junior Cup Final in five seasons after their 5-0 win over Shannon at Clifford Park. A try from Liam Delaney mid way through the opening half settled this tie and Nenagh will now face the winners of next week’s semi-final encounter between Tralee and Bruff at Musgrave Park on a date yet to be decided.

The meeting of the First and Second Division Champions looked like it was heading for extra time with two minutes remaining, but Bruff preserved their unbeaten record this season with two late converted tries to give them a 24-10 win over Skibbereen. Michael Lynch put the home side ahead with a penalty, but a try from Sean Coppinger, converted by Tyrone Taipa gave the West Cork side a 7-3 half time lead. Taipa increased his side’s lead with a penalty after 53 minutes and they held this lead until the 65th minute, when Gearoid Ryan got in for a Bruff try, which Lynch converted. Then came those late tries from Cathal O’Regan and Cormac Hayes, both converted by Lynch.

Charleville reached their first Munster Final, when they caused a major shock at Dooradoyle to defeat Garryowen 6-0 in the semi-final of the Munster Junior Plate. A magnificent performance by the pack in particular Barry Crowley, Kevin Forde, Brendán O’Laoithe, Ger Collins and David O’Connell. Two second half penalties by James Leahy made sure of a famous victory for the North Cork side.

Mallow advanced to a quarter final meeting with Bandon next week after their 20-15 away win over Waterford City. A Try from John Singleton and a conversion and penalty from Andrew Cashman gave the visitors a 10-5 interval lead. Len Power scored a try for Waterford. A second try from Mallow’s Padraig McGowan and a conversion and penalty from Cashman, was enough to see the North Cork side advance, as the home side replied with a try from Brendan O’Meara and a conversion and penalty from Gary Keane.

Cork Constitution and Garryowen must meet in a play off to decide the winners of the Munster Seconds League, after the Temple Hill side completed their program with a big win over Dolphin to finish level on points with the Limerick side.

Cashel continued their good run with an 11-7 win over Kilfeacle in the final of the Garryowen Cup. Playing with the win Trevor Breen kicked two penalties for the winners and an intercept by Charlie Walsh saw him score a try on the stroke of half time and Derek Ryan converted to leave Kilfeacle ahead 7-6. Despite the advantage of the elements after the break, Kilfeacle failed to add to their total and a try from John Ryan earned Cashel victory.

Bruff’s great run at all levels continued with their second string reaching the final of the Webb Cup with a 9-7 victory over Garryowen at Dooradoyle. Tony Trechy kicked three penalties for the winners. They will now face Thurles in the decider, after the Tipperary side’s surprise 3-0 win away to Presentation.

Bruff are also through to the quarter finals of the Millennium Cup where they will face Blackrock. They booked their place with a 19-10 home win over Corinthians. Garryowen had an easy 46-8 win over Young Munster in their play off and their reward is a trip to Dublin to face U.C.D. The South Western Conference winners U.C.C have a home tie against Cooke and they prepared for their quarter final tie with a 25-8 win over Cork Constitution in the final of the Under 20 South Cup. The students were always in control of this game and tries from Denis and Paul Hurley and Rory Geoghan and two penalties and two conversions from Barry Keeshan made sure of victory over the holders.

Junior Two Cup holder’s Crosshaven made their exit at their first defence when they lost at home to Bandon 19-16. Playing with the wind the home side led 16-5 at the break with Andrew O’Sullivan scoring a try and Ritchie Daly kicking a conversion and three penalties. Barry O’Sullivan replied with a crucial try for Bandon. Further tries from Eoin O’Callaghan and Kevin Lucey both converted by Mark Chambers made sure of victory for the visitors. League winners Cobh Pirates had an easy 48-6 win away over Youghal. Ken McNamara scored three tries for the winners and James O’Hanlon, Finbarr Dorgan, Shane O’Donovan and Paul Moynihan got one each. Conor O’Regan kicked six conversions and two penalties.

Tries from Eddie Ryan and Stephen Dennehy earned Fermoy a 10-5 win over Carrigaline in Division Two of the Junior Three League and as a result of Skibbereen beating Kanturk 8-7, it’s Fermoy who won the League title.

Kilfeacle were crowned All Ireland Under 18 Champions at Nass, when they defeated New Ross 15-13 in an exciting final. A try and a conversion from Ian Hanly and a penalty from Michael Collins had Kilfeacle level 10-10 at the break. Collins added a try in the second half to make sure of victory for the Tipperary club. Not so fortunate were Clonakilty who lost the Under 16 decider to the home Side Nass on a 9-3 score line. Ciarán Callanan kicked a penalty for the West Cork side in the opening half.

Weekend Roundup:

Munster Junior Cup Semi-Final: Shannon 0 Nenagh Ormond 5;

Munster Junior Cup Quarter-Final: Bruff 24 Skibbereen 10;

Munster Junior Plate Semi-Final: Garryowen 0 Charleville 6;

Munster Junior Plate: Waterford 15 City Mallow 20;

Munster Seconds League Division 1: Dolphin 12 Cork Constitution 32;

Garryowen Cup Final: Cashel 11 Kilfeacle 7;

Junior Two Cup: Crosshaven 16 Bandon 19; Youghal 6 Cobh Pirates 48;

Webb Cup Semi-Final: Garryowen 7 Bruff 9; Presentation 0 Thurles 3;

Junior 3 League South Division 2: Carrigaline 5 Fermoy 10; Kanturk 7 Skibbereen 8; Sunday’s Well 19 Corca Dhuibhne 32;

Under 20 League Play Offs: Bruff 19 Corinthians 10; Garryowen 46 Young Munster 8;

Under 20 Cup South Final: Cork Constitution 8 U.C.C. 25;