Weekend Rugby Roundup

The final scheduled round of games in the Munster Junior League produced some dramatic finishes with only one outstanding issue to be resolved and that is which team will be relegated from Division 1 along with Crosshaven.

Thomond already confirmed as champions, concluded their campaign with a 59-5 home win against Skibbereen and thus became the first side to win all thirteen games with bonus point victories.

Werner Kruger, Ryain Ahern and Jason Kiely each scored two tries and Luke Costelloe, Cillian Moughty and Evan Maher got one each. Kiely kicked seven conversions. David Shannon replied with a try for Skibbereen.

Kilfeacle already assured of the runners up spot, had to come from behind to defeat Kanturk 38-27 at the Duhallow venue and thus dent the home side’s hopes of a top four finish. Kanturk who led 12-7 at half time had tries from Brian (Castle) O’Sullivan, James Moylan, Ronan O’Brian and Brian (Kilbrin) O’Sullivan. Eoin Goggin kicked two conversions and a penalty. Kilfeacle replied with two tries from Jacques van Wyngaardt and one each by Shane Farrell, Kevin Kinnane, Killian Noonan and Gavin Heuston. Luke Heuston kicked four conversions.

St. Mary’s, who were in sixth place, recorded a 33-32 away win at Virgin Media Park against Sunday’s Well to move into fourth place and a place in next years All Ireland Junior Cup. Ruairi O’Donnell, Nicky Hogan, James O’Brien and Stephen Hayes were try scorers for the Saints who were also awarded a penalty try. Adam Guerin kicked three conversions. Dylan Cooper, Fabien Loughrey, James Barrett and Andrew Mintern replied with tries for the ‘Well. Ciaran Maguire kicked three conversions and two penalties.

A try deep in injury time by Dan Normoyle gave Newcastle West a 19-13 home win over Muskerry. This result-maintained Newcastle West’s status as a First Division side for next season and meant that Muskerry missed out on a top four finish. Shane Airey and Sean Murphy were Newcastle West’s other try scorers and Airey kicked two conversions. Frankie Horgan and Rob Cahill replied with tries for Muskerry and Cahill also added a penalty.

A try in the last minute by Shane Halpin helped Richmond to a 25-25 home draw against Clonakilty, a result that makes the West Cork side favourites to be relegated. Jack Cross and Graham Kirwin were Richmond’s other try scorers and Cross kicked two conversions and two penalties. Kieran McCarthy and Conor Hayes replied with tries for Clon’ and they were also awarded a penalty try. Mark Purcell kicked two penalties and a conversion,

Mallow kept their hopes alive of staying in the topflight with an impressive 38-7 home win over Bandon. A point from their final game away to Newcastle West will be enough to retain their status and relegate Clonakilty. Stephen Finn, Jimmy Glynn, Dave Walsh, Michael Hayes, Bill Taylor and John Willis were try scorers for Mallow and Hunter Cowan kicked four conversions. Rory Golden was Bandon’s try scorer and Hugh O’Mahony converted.

Thurles defeated Crosshaven 30-19. Sonny Dwyer, Luke Fogarty, Roy Stanley and Jack Flanagan scored tries for Thurles. James Maher kicked two conversions, and a penalty and Flanagan also added a penalty. Graham Smith, Adam Kent and Anthony Sheehan replied with tries for Crosshaven. Fergal Conway and Kealan Daly each kicked a conversion.

Old Christians won the Second Division title with a hard earned 32-28 away win against Waterpark. Cian Smith, Jack Lonergan, Laszio Rabatin and Conor Dolan scored tries for the Old Boys and Harry Martin kicked three conversions and two penalties. Ed Wall, David Pierce and Donagh O’Connor (2) were Waterpark’s try scorers. Willie Walsh kicked two penalties and Ben Daly a conversion.

Clanwilliam were comfortable 54-22 home winners against Fethard. Niall Leahy contributed two tries and seven conversions to Clanwilliam’s tally, with Jack Ryan, Niall Sharpe, Gavin Downey, Ben Downey, Tom Rhatigan and Johnny Richardson being their other try scorers. Andrew Wall scored two tries for Fethard and David Morgan and Robert Wall got one each. Paddy Gaynor kicked a conversion.

Kinsale defeated Ballincollig 58-27 at Snugmore. Joey O’Callaghan (3), Dave Looney (2), Dan Graham (2), Dan Horgan and Cathal O’Leary were the Kinsale try scorers. Dylan Lacey added five conversions and a penalty. Oscar Earley, Michael O’Shea and Louis Herdsman replied with tries for Ballincollig. Diarmuid Phelan converted all three tries and kicked three penalties.

Fermoy’s 20-15 home defeat by Ennis has meant that the North Cork were relegated to Division 3. Cian Guilfoyle, Jack Dillon and Shane Punch scored tries for Ennis and Punch also added a conversion and a penalty. Eoin Healy replied with five penalties for Fermoy.

Abbeyfeale preserved their second Division status with a 48-12 home win over already relegated Tralee. James O’Sullivan scored two tries for Abbeyfeale and Jimmy Kelly, Phillip Collins, John Forde, Caomhin Barron, James Cullinane and Mike Daly were the other try scorers. Barron converted four of the tries. Tralee had tries from Liam Ganon and Yuri Volosov, with Seamus Quilter adding one conversion.

Charleville ensured their safety with a 30-26 home win over Cobh Pirates. Matt O’Neill and Jack Barrett scored tries for Charleville, and they were also awarded a penalty try. DJ Colins kicked three penalties and two conversions. Ben Kennedy replied with two tries for the Pirates and Charle Rasmussen and Kevin Murphy got one each. Rory Pierce converted three of the tries.

St. Senan’s defeated Castleisland 14-13 with tries from Jamie McNamara and James O’Shea. Declan Rowe converted both tries.

Carrick-on-Suir were crowned Third Division champions after their 43-17 home win against Chorca Dhuibhne. Roanan O’Connell, Jack O’Connell, Matthew Cavanagh, Ryan O’Donoghue and Shane Fitzgerald scored tries for Carrick’ and Fionn Barry kicked three conversions and four penalties. Sean Long, Seamus Hanafin and Brian Devine replied with tries for the Kerry side with Devine converting one of the tries.

Killarney finished their campaign with a 48-7 home win over Dungarvan. Donnchadh Grealy scored two tries and four conversions for Killarney, with Finn Kenneally, Dion O’Neill, Aaron Jones, Sam Buckley and Ronan Buckley getting a try each. Brendan Cullinane was Dungarvan’s try scorer.

Waterford City defeated Ardscoil Old Boys 24-17 in Limerick with tries from Mikey O’Connor, Seaghan Walsh and Peter Walsh. O’Connor converted all three tries and also added a penalty. Evan O’Callaghan scored two tries for Ardscoil and Mike Hoare got one, with Jamie Moore adding a conversion.

Galbally Mitchelstown defeated Killorglin 21-15 at the Kerry venue. Pa Shanahan and Davey Sheehan scored tries for the winners and Shanahan kicked three penalties and a conversion. Shane O’Neill replied with two tries for Killorglin and Luke O’Shea added a conversion and a penalty.

Tries from Zach Dinan, Shane McGuinness and Cillian O’Shea scored tries for Douglas who defeated scariff18-12. Charlie Devine kicked a penalty for the home side.

U.L. Bohemian continued their winning streak in the Women’s All Ireland League with a 47-0 home win against Old Belvedere. Clodagh O’Halloran scored three of UL Bohs seven tries, with Eilis Cahill, Laoise McGonagle, Aoife Corey and Claire Bennett being the other try scorers. Abby Moyles kicked six conversions.

Ballincollig moved up to seventh after their 34-12 win over Tullow at Tanner Park. Kate O’Sullivan, Laurileigh Baker, Brigid Twohig, Michelle O’Driscoll, Fia Whelan and Vicki Good were the Ballincollig try scorers. Emma Connolly converted two of the tries.