East Munster Youths Update

As another successful season enters its final weeks, Leagues are coming to a conclusion at each age group while cup draws have been made and will start over the coming weeks.

Courtesy of:- Cathal Donovan

At Under 18 and Under 16 levels four sides represented East Munster in the Pan Munster competition. In the Under 18 competition Nenagh, Clanwilliam, Galbally and Waterpark qualified to take part. Nenagh, Clanwilliam and Galbally exited in the group stages. However Waterpark won their group with three wins from three before a narrow home quarter final win against Clonakilty two weeks ago qualified the Ballinakill side for a semi-final against Bruff, the eventual winners, which they narrowly lost 14-7.

In the Under 16 Competition East Munster has been much more successful this season in the Pan Munster competition and both of this weekend’s Munster finalists were East Munster teams. Dungarvan and Waterpark both made it to the final while East Munster’s two other representatives Fethard and Kilfeacle made their exits after the group stage. The final took place in Thomond Park last Saturday in a double header with the Under 18 final between Bruff and Young Munster. Waterpark overcame their neighbours Dungarvan 17-7 to claim the title.

For the sides that did not qualify for the Pan Munster competition at Under 18 and Under 16 level a Development League has been in place to guarantee each club more competitive games ahead of the cup competition and to allow teams to have an opportunity to win silverware, who otherwise may not have that opportunity. These leagues at Under 16 and Under 18 are ongoing.

At Under 14 level Fethard won the League at the end of January with a one point victory over Kilfeacle. Both sides narrowly qualified for the final following drawn semi-finals against Waterpark and Nenagh respectively and the final was an equally tight affair which Fethard won 11-10. The Cup and Plate at Under 14 are played on a league basis and several rounds of games have been played in each competition. Each club is guaranteed 4/5 games before the semi-finals and finals.

A League is also in operation at Under 13 League and is a development league aimed at clubs with enough resources to field at Under 13 and Under 14 and is a way to make the jump to full pitch 15 a-side rugby easier. There is several more rounds to play in this league before the knock out stages.

Cup Draws for Under 18 and Under 16 have been made and can be seen below.

East Munster Under 18 Cup
1st Round
A. Clonmel v Cashel
B. Kilfeacle v Waterford City
C. Fethard v Dungarvan
Quarter Finals
A. Waterpark v A
B. B v Clanwilliam
C. Nenagh v C
D. Thurles v Galbally

U16 Cup
1st round
A. Carrick on Suir v Waterford City
B. Clonmel v Cashel
C. Nenagh v Clanwilliam
Quarter Finals
Waterpark v Dungarvan
A v B
Kilfeacle v Thurles
Fethard v C