Provincial Rugby Roundup

8th January 2023 By Leonard Allen

Clonakilty recorded a 27-26 win over Skibbereen in the Munster Junior League at the weekend. Photo Credit: Dave Sheehan

There was plenty of drama and excitement in both the Munster Junior League and the opening round of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup , as Newcastle West’s efforts to reach the final of the All Ireland Junior Cup, just fall short.

Defending champions Clogher Valley booked their place in the final of the All Ireland Junior Cup against Enniskillen after a dramatic 18-17 away win at Newcastle West. The visitors were 18-0 but had to withstand a late Newcastle west rally that yielded tries from Keelan Headd, and Evan Donovan, both of which Shane Airey converted. Airey added a late penalty but it was not enough to keep the home side in the competition.

Section A Junior League leaders Bandon are joined at the top of the table by Richmond, after the West Cork side lost a thrilling league encounter away to Kilfeacle 25-24. Kilfeacle had tries from Kevin Kinane and Cillian Noonan, and they were also awarded a penalty try. Luke Heuston kicked a conversion and two penalties. Bandon replied with tries from Mathew Crowley, Ben Ridgeway, and Sean Galvin. Ridgeway kicked two conversions and a penalty, and Crowley also added a conversion.

Richmond took maximum points from their trip to Clanwilliam with a 33-24 victory to go level with Bandon, but with a game in hand. Darragh Joyce scored two tries for the Limerick side and Thomas O’Brien, Brian Mullins, and James Reeves also scored tries. Tadhg bennet kicked four conversions. Jack Ryan, Brian Kissane, and Gavin Downey replied with tries for Clanwilliam. Niall Leahy converted all three tries, and also added a penalty.

The shock of the day was at Abbeyfeale, where the bottom side recorded their first win if the campaign with a 22-15 victory against top-four chasing Mallow. Jamie O’Sullivan scored two tries for the winners, and Jaques van Wyngaard got one. Sean Kilbridge kicked two conversions and a penalty. Mallow replied with tries from Owen Glynn and Sean O’Riordan. Sam Glynn kicked a penalty, and Dave Cogan added a conversion.

A late rally by Clonakilty saw them snatch victory in the west Cork derby away to Skibbereen 27-26, with two late tries in the final two minutes. Darragh O’Connor, Cathal O’Regan, Niall Barrett, and Rory Fletcher. Eoin Downey kicked two conversions and a penalty. Skibbereen replied with tries from Kieran Shannon, and Tom Beare. David Shannon added two conversions and three penalties, and Jack O’Driscoll kicked a drop goal.

Muskerry took a step close to a place in the top section next season with a 13-10 home win against Thurles. Lewis Grice scored a try for the winners and Rob Cahill converted. Cahill and Ciaran O’Connor kicked a penalty each. Owen Byrne replied with a try for Thurles, and Conor O’Hagan kicked a conversion and a penalty.

A last-minute try from Ross Kelly converted by Paul Loughran earned St. Mary’s a 19-15 home win against Old Christians. Loughran kicked four penalties for the Saints, Old Christians replied with tries from Niall McCarthy and Les Rabatin. Conor Dolan kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Waterpark defeated Crosshaven 27-20 to make sure of their place in the top flight. Willie Walsh and Paddy Kiersey scored tries for Waterpark and they were also awarded a penalty try. Walsh converted both tries and also added two penalties.

Two of the eight scheduled Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup ties were postponed and have been rescheduled for Sunday 29^th January along with the other second-round ties. These were Carrick-on-Suir v Douglas, and Waterford City at home to Scariff.

It was a mixed day for the four Kerry clubs, with Tralee and Killorglin advancing to the next round.

A last-minute try by Richard Liston converted by Seamus Lyne earned Tralee a 26-19 home win over Cobh Pirates. Gavin Peevers scored two tries for Tralee and Alistair Hoban got one. Lyne converted two of the tries. Ben Kennedy, Cian McNamara, and George Rasmussen replied with tries for the Pirates and Rory Pierce kicked two conversions.

Killorglin who trailed Sunday’s Well 3-0 at halftime to a Ben O’Connor penalty staged a great fightback in the final quarter to win 10-3. Cian Corcoran scored the home side’s try, and Luke O’Shea kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Tries from Adam Jensen and John Bell, both converted by Joe Sheehy gave Castleisland a 14-7 interval lead at home to Kinsale. The visitors rallied with tries from Paul Graham, Dan Graham, and Billy O’Riordan. Dylan lacey converted two of the tries and also added a penalty.

Killarney were well beaten 26-0 away to Midleton. Josh Deady, Luke Dineen, Kieran Lambert, and Fionn O’Connell scored tries for the East Cork side. Michael White kicked three conversions.

Ennis proved too strong for Clonmel at the Clare venue winning 36-10. Jack Scahill, Ben Quinn, Colm Kearney, David Reynolds, Oisin Mangan, and Cian Guilfoyle scored tries for Ennis. Kearney converted three of the tries. Brandon Delicato replied with a try for Clonmel and Ross Slattery kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Youghal proved too strong Bruff at Kilballyowen Park emerging 32-7 winners. Kevin Yellop, Conal Doyle, Conor Butler, Oran Finn, Alan Frahill, and Olan Coleman scored tries for Youghal. Doyle kickd four conversions and two penalties. Tommy Carroll replied with a try for Bruff.

Dungarvan booked their place in the final of the Junior Clubs Challenge Shield with a 27-22 away win at Fermoy. Laurance Houlihan, Adam Power, and Michael Hayes scored tries for Dungarvan and Hayes converted all three and also added two penalties. Eoin Lacey replied with two tries for Fermoy and Peter Finn got one. Ben Twomey kicked a conversion and a penalty, and Eoin Healy also added a penalty.

The draw for the second round of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup which is scheduled for 29^th January is-

Charleville v U.L. Bohemian;

Dungarvan v Ballincollig;

Fermoy v Dolphin;

Galbally-Mitchelstown v Youghal;

Kanturk v Carrick-on-Suir or Douglas (date to be confirmed);

Killorglin v Midleton;

Kinsale v Fethard;

Nenagh Ormond v Ennis;

St. Senan’s v Old Crescent;

Thurles v Cashel;

Waterford City or Scariff v Tralee (date to be confirmed);