Junior Rugby Round-Up

Both Thurles and Sunday’s Well picked up Munster Junior trophies, as Clonmel ended their All Ireland Provincial League campaign with a flourish to finish as runners up.

Clonmel bounced back from their defeat by Dundalk last week to beat Ulster Junior League champions Instonians 38-27 at Shaws Bridge.

Clonmel led 14-12 at half time with tries from Danny Lyons and Darragh Foley both of which Conor Cooney converted. Cooney extend their advantage with a penalty. A try by Stephen Pyke converted by Cooney had the Tipperary side trailing 27-24 as the game entered the final stages.

Late tries from Greg Carroll and Tony Cantwell both converted by Cooney saw Clonmel finish with an eleven point advantage.

Thurles won the Munster Junior Plate for a fourth time after their 14-5 win over Skibbereen at Fermoy. Thurles were the hungrier side and led 7-0 at half time with a try from Eoghan O’Dwyer and Aidan O’Dwyer converted.

Nicky Irwin extended their advantage with a second try and Aidan O’Dwyer added the extras. A late rally by Skibbereen saw Rory Hone score a try.

Sunday’s Well defeated Ennis 27-12 at Irish Independent Park to lift the Munster Junior Bowl trophy. Playing with the aid of a strong wind in the first half, tries from Roddy McDonald and Robert Browner and a James O’Sullivan conversion gave the Cork side a 12-0 interval lead.

Ennis were back in the game three minutes into the second half when Alan Brandon touched down for a try for the Clare side following a maul from a line out. The ‘Well responded with a try from Ian Murphy as their pack laid siege to the Ennis line and O’Sullivan converted to make it 19-5.

Back came Ennis and winger Colm Brandon got in for a try after being sent clear by Alan Brandon. Martin Hayes converted. The ‘Well finished the stronger with a second try from Murphy and a penalty by O’Sullivan.

Galbally won the Garryowen Cup with a 16-13 win over Waterford City after extra time at Clonmel. A try from Tom Bowe and a conversion by Michael Hayes gave Waterford a 7-6 half time lead. Sean Bourke kicked two penalties for Galbally.

A try by Johannes Gouws and a conversion by Bourke to two penalties from Hayes sent the game into extra time. Bourke kicked the crucial penalty to give Galbally victory.

Cobh Pirates defeated Waterpark 31-18 at Ballinakill to book their place in the final of the Junior Two Cup South. Denis Kinevane, Jordan Griffin and Glen O’Sullivan scored tries for Cobh and Adam Devlin kicked four penalties and two conversions. John Kelly and David Latimer were try scorers for Waterpark and Richard Halley kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Highfield remain on course for the double in South Munster as they defeated Corca Dhuibhne 25-17 to win the Junior Two League title. Billy O’Connor and Ciaran Collins were try scorers for the Kerry side and Shane Griffin kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Clonmel won the Dave Dineen Cup defeating Kinsale 31-14 at Midleton. The Tipperary side led 24-0 at half time with tries from Conor Tobin, Darren Hoyne and Darren Cass. Brian Lonergan converted all three and also added a penalty. Cass extended Clonmel’s advantage with his second try which Lonergan converted. Kinsale rallied with tries from Tomas McCarthy and Timmy Lynch and Timmy Broderick converted both.

Fermoy defeated Skibbereen 18-5 to book their place in the final of the McCarthy Cup where they will meet Crosshaven. A try from William Ryan gave Skibbereen a 5-3 half time lead. Eoin Lacey kicked a penalty for Fermoy. Aidan Baragry and Dylan Foley scored tries in the second half for Fermoy and Lacey added a conversion and a penalty.

RESULTS:
All Ireland Provincial League: Connemara 28, Dundalk 48;
Instonians 27, Clonmel 38;

Munster Junior Plate Final: Skibbereen 5, Thurles 14;

Munster Junior Bowl Final: Sunday's Well 27, Ennis 12;

Garryowen Cup Final: Galbally 16, Waterford City 13 (aet);

Webb Cup: Young Munster 7, Thomond 36;

Junior 2 Cup South Semi Final: Waterpark 18, Cobh Pirates 31;

Junior 2 League South Final: Highfield 25, Corca Dhuibhne 17;

Dave Dineen Cup Final: Kinsale 14, Clonmel 31;

McCarthy Cup Semi Final: Fermoy 18, Skibbereen 5;

South Under 18 League Final: Dolphin 22, Midleton 19;

South Under18 Phase 2 Final: Skibbereen 32, South Kerry 19;

South Under 18 Development League Final: Bandon 21, Fermoy 20;

South Under 16 League Final: Ballincollig 5, Clonakilty 12;

South Under 16 Development League Final: Charleville 5, Dunmanway 24;

South Under 14 League Final: Cobh Pirates 0, Skibbereen 11;