Junior Rugby Round Up

Ashbourne’s bid for a fourth successive All Ireland Junior Cup title came unstuck at Kilfeacle as Dromore beat Crosshaven in the other semi-final.

Kilfeacle also made amends for their defeat by Ashbourne in the 2017 final which they lost 18-9.

Kilfeacle dominated proceedings in the opening half racing into a 21-0 lead with tries from Kevin Kinnane and Willie Staunton along with two penalties, a drop goal and a conversion by Staunton. Gavin Kennedy kicked a penalty for the visitors who trailed 21-3 at the interval.

Tries from Simon Deevy and a try and conversion by Kennedy closed the gap to six points.

Staunton added another penalty before Deevy got his second try and Kennedy converted. Staunton made it a six point game with his second drop goal to ensure victory.

Dromore were worthy 24-14 winners in Crosshaven having built up a 21-0 lead in the opening half. Crosshaven came more into the game in the second half but tries from Sean Grey and Graham Smith both converted by Cian McGovern were not enough to get the Seasiders into their second Junior Cup Final.

The Munster Junior Clubs Shield Final on the 6th March will be an all Cork affair after Kanturk and Kinsale qualified for the final.

Kanturk booked their place with a 29-17 home win over Thurles. Conor Cremin opened the scoring with a penalty for Kanturk but Jack Flanagan replied with one for Thurles to tie the scores.

Conor Cremin restored Kanturk’s lead with his second penalty. Tries from Tadgh McSweeney and CJ O’Sullivan edged the home side 16-3 in front. A try by Rob O’Donovan converted by Flanagan gave Kanturk a 16-10 half time lead.

Kanturk dominated the second half, Conor Cremin extended their advantage with his third penalty and a try by Sean Cremin converted by Conor Cremin made it 26-10. Eoghan O’Dwyer had a second Thurles try and Flanagan converted before Conor Cremin landed his fourth penalty with the final score of the day.

The other semi-final was a lot closer with a penalty try in the seventh minute of added time deciding it as Kinsale came out on top with a 19-16 victory.

Despite playing into a strong wind in the opening half Rob Cahill opened the scoring with a penalty for Muskerry. Kinsale’s heavier pack took control and tries from Mark O’Connell and Pat O’Regan and a conversion by Sean Kingston had Kinsale 12-3 ahead at half time.

A try from Shane O’Riordan and a conversion and two penalties by Cahill looked like giving Muskerry victory until Kinsale’s late score decided the outcome

The Martin O’Sullivan Cup Final will be a repeat of last year’s decider and this will also go ahead as a double bill on the 8th March.

Holders Killarney inflicted the first defeat of the season on Ennis after their 29-5 victory. Keelan Butler was Ennis’ try scorer.

Killorglin received a walk over from Waterford City to book their place in the decider.

There was only one league game down for decision and that was the meeting of Scariff and Bantry Bay at the Clare venue which the home side won to put them in with a great chance of reaching the play offs.

A try by James Hastings and a conversion and a penalty by Jason Monaghan gave Scariff a 10-8 interval lead. Pronsais Cronin replied with a try for Bantry and Brian Keohane kicked a penalty. The only score of the second was a Monaghan penalty.

Clanwilliam won the Garryowen Cup defeating Waterpark 22-9 in the final. Niall Leahy was the star for Clanwilliam getting all their points a try, conversion and five penalties. Alex Molloy kicked three first half penalties for Waterpark.

In the Women’s All Ireland Cup, UL Bohemian continued their good run with a 48-0 away win at Malone. Sarah Quinn scored two of UL Bohs’ seven tries with Erin Coll, Rachel Allen, Chloe Pearse, Laura O’Mahony and Niamh Kavanagh being their other try scorers. Allen kicked four conversions.