Provincial Rugby Roundup

The opening round of games in the Munster Junior League got underway this weekend, with five of the seven Division 1 games finishing with bonus point victories.

Thomond were very impressive in their 57-3 home win over Clonakilty running in eight tries. Luke Costelloe got two and the others were scored by Evan Maher, Joe Costelloe, Pa Ryan, Jake Connolly, Darren Radcliffe and Kieran McMahon. Evan Cusack converted six of the tries. Eoin Downey kicked a penalty for Clonakilty.

Sunday’s Well also scored eight tries in their 52-3 win at home to Charleville. Mike McCarthy, Shane O’Neill, Evan O’Connell, Jamie O’Leary, Conor O’Brien, Logan Henry, Gary Downey and Emeka Asiegbu were the Well try scorers with Henry converting six of the tries. Jessie Smith kicked a penalty for Charleville.

Mallow probably caused the upset of the day with a 25-22 bonus point home win against Newcastle West. Dylan Walsh, James Hall, Ryan Stewart, and Chris O’Regan scored tries for Mallow, with Sam Glynn kicking a conversion and a penalty. Alan O’Riordan, Cian Tierney, and Keelan Headd replied with tries for Newcastle West. James Guina kicked a penalty and Shane Airey added two conversions.

Defending champions Richmond found themselves trailing 26-0 after thirty minutes at home to Kilfeacle after the Tipperary side had tries from Dubhan O’Grady, Gavin Heuston, Kevin Kinane, and Brendan Barron, With Luke Heuston converting three of them. Richmond did rally with tries from Jeff McNamara and Dillon Cotter and a Sean Considine conversion, but Kilfeacle held on for a 26-12 win.

Skibbereen and Bandon played out an 18-18 draw in a game that marked the opening of Skibbereen’s new floodlights. Dan Lane and Hugh O’Mahony scored tries for Bandon and O’Mahony kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Clanwilliam defeated Muskerry 20-12 to get their campaign of to a winning start. Darragh Crowe, Jack Quinlan, and Niall Sharpe were Clanwilliam try scorers while Darragh Burke kicked a conversion and Ben Downey added a penalty. Aaron Desmond scored Muskerry’s try, and Rob Cahill kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Three sides share top spot in Division Two. Crosshaven were worthy 40-15 winners away to Abbeyfeale. Niall Deane scored three tries for the winners, and Graham Smith, Mikey Collins, Jason Brady and Kealan Daly were the other try scorers. Jack O’Conell kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Jack O’Sullivan and Jamie O’Sullivan replied with tries for Abbeyfeale, and Jamie O’Sullivan kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Tralee had a 29-3 away win against Galbally-Mitchelstown. Ben O’Neill (2), Robbie Murphy, Mikey Lyne and Danny Morse scored tries for Tralee. Kieran Cunningham added two conversions. John Kerins kicked a penalty for Galbally-Mitchelstown.

Ballincollig defeated Youghal 26-12 under lights at Tanner Park to share top spot.

Old Christians proved too strong for Fethard winning 30-10. Conor Pearson and Richie Anglim scored tries for Fethard and Peter Wall converted both and also added a penalty.

Kinsale defeated Cobh Pirates 21-17. The home side led 14-0 at half time and had tries from Ian Costello, Mark O’Connell, and Brian O’Donnell, with Dylan Lacey converting all three tries. Cillian O’Connell, Ben Kennedy, and Josh Crone replied with tries for Cobh, and Adam Devlin kicked one conversion.

St. Mary’s defeated St. Senan’s 22-14 with Paul Loughran, Callum Wrixon and Rob Guerin scoring tries for Mary’s, and Loughman added two conversions and a penalty. Mikey Lynch and Roberto Kelly replied with tries for Senan’s and Jamie McNamara converted both.

Waterpark had a narrow 13-11 home win over Fermoy. The winners led 10-0 at half time with a try from Mick Hayes and a conversion and penalty by Willie Walsh. Walsh added a second penalty after the break. Jack Duggan scored Fermoy’s try and Eoin Healy kicked two penalties.

In Division 3, Castleisland defeated Killorglin 24-7, with two converted tries in the final ten minutes deciding the contest. Donnacha McSweeney, Shane Brosnan and Donal Geaney scored tries for Castleisland, and John Bell converted all three tries and also added a penalty. Timmy Lynch was Killorglin’s try scorer and Luke O’Shea converted.

Dungarvan ran in nine tries in their 58-7 win over Killarney in a game that was played at Youghal. Alan McMahon (3), Brendan Cullinane (2), Donnacha Dunphy, David Hickey, Ricardo Lopez and Maurice Daly were Dungarvan try scorers. Hickey kicked five conversions and Joey Doherty added a penalty.

Scariff defeated Douglas 24-7, with tries from Cian Foley, Aaron Hogg, Paul O’Sullivan, and Martin Daly. Conor Bourke kicked two conversions. Dave Sweetnam replied with a try for Douglas and Anton Brennan converted.