Junior Rugby Round-Up

Clonmel won the big game in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League to open up a three point lead with five games remaining. there were bonus point wins for the three top sides in Division 2.

Clonmel are now in pole position to win the Munster Junior League title for the first time after a second half comeback saw them defeat Newcastle West 22-16 in the top of the table clash at the Tipperary venue.

The visitors dominated the opening half and led 10-0 at half time with a try from John Sheehan and a conversion and penalty by Sean Herlihy.

Clonmel were back in the game two minutes into the second half when Alex Sheehan got in for a try and Conor Cooney converted. Herlihy kicked another penalty on 47 minutes, but a try from Mick Barry closed the gap to a point, twelve minutes into the second half.

A third try after 55 minutes by Greg Carroll converted by Cooney put Clonmel in front. Cooney and Herlihy each added a penalty, before Herlihy was shown a red card with six minutes remaining.

Galbally eased their relegation worries with a surprising 12-7 away win over third placed Clonakilty. A try by Stephen Cotter converted by Joe Lee put Clon’ 7-0 ahead at the interval. Tries by Kevin O’Donoghue and Tom Davern and a Sean Bourke conversion earned the Limerick side the spoils.

St Senan’s have moved into fourth place after they came from 15-0 down at half time to beat Cobh Pirates 26-21. Tries from Jack Hickey and Tom Rice and a conversion and penalty by Eoin Geary had the home side ahead at half time.

Tom Cronin, Jake Egan, Emile Moffatt and Warren Kelly scored tries to secure the bonus point win for the Clare side with Declan Rowe kicking three conversions.

Old Christians and Muskerry played out a 20-20 draw at Rathcooney. John Chambers and Pat Rourke scored tries for Muskerry in the opening half and Jonathan Buckley kicked two conversions and two penalties.

The home side replied with tries from Paddy Naughton and Darragh Daly with Sean Meaney kicking two conversions and two penalties.

Kilfeacle defeated Skibbereen 11-9. A try from Diarmuid O’Donnell and a Darren Lowery penalty had Kilfeacle 8-6 ahead at half time. Ger Hurley kicked two penalties for the visitors. Lowry kicked another penalty for the home side and David Shannon replied with a drop goal for Skibbereen.

St Mary’s defeated Tralee 21-3 with tries from Daithi Byrnes and Marcus Costello and a conversion and three penalties by Sean Lyons. Mike Mullally kicked a penalty for Tralee.

A try in the last minute from Damien O’Dwyer converted by John Lillis denied Kinsale their first win in the league as they lost at home to Waterpark 21-19.

Sean Kingston scored two tries and two conversions for Kinsale and Ciaran Keogh also got a try. Kevin Phelan got a try for Waterpark and John O’Brien kicked a drop goal and two penalties.

There was no change at the top of the Second Division with all the top three sides recording bonus point wins.

Leaders Bandon defeated Waterford City 26-3 with tries from Aidan Slattery, Christian Mulcahy, Sean Óg Murphy and Mike Murphy. Richard Walsh kicked three conversions and Darren Walsh replied with a penalty for the visitors.

Alan Mulligan gave Killarney an early lead with a try but a try by Vivian Grisewood converted by Niall Leahy earned Clanwilliam a 7-5 half time lead. Tries from Brian Kissane, Andrew Ryan and Leahy secured the points for the visitors on a 22-5 score line.

Thurles ran in eight tries in their 52-10 away win at Ballincollig. Nick Irwin (3), Eoghan O’Dwyer (2), Jason O’Mahony, Joe Kelly and Aidan Dwyer were Thurles try scorers and Dwyer converted six. Ballincollig replied with an Aidan McSweeney try and a conversion and penalty by Paul Galvin.

Mallow defeated Abbeyfeale 19-13 with tries from Conor O’Donovan, Denis Murphy and Michael O’Flynn, with O’Flynn adding two conversions. Pat Brislane replied with a try for the visitors and Tom Hassett converted and David Collins kicked two penalties.

Newport defeated Castleisland 32-30. The winners had tries from Dermot Duggan, Declan Kett, Philip O’Brien and Aidan Ryan. O’Brien kicked three conversions and a penalty and Darragh Ryan also added a penalty.

Con Reynolds, Shane O’Connell and Kieran Downey were try scorers for the Kerry side and Dan O’Shea kicked three conversions and three penalties.

Presentation and Ennis played out a 24-24 draw at Rathuard. Alan Airey scored two tries for the Limerick side and Brendan Coleman also got a try. Pres were also awarded a penalty try which secured the bonus point for Presentation. Greg Airey kicked two conversions.

Youghal won the bottom of the table clash with Crosshaven 24-5, Scott O’Sullivan and Arran Daly scored tries for Youghal and Keith McCarthy kicked four penalties and a conversion.

In the only game in the Third Division Charleville defeated Fermoy 20-6 with tries from Damian Leahy, Mattie O’Neill and Tony Moffatt and a conversion and penalty by Shane Corkery. Mike Sweeney replied with two penalties for Fermoy.

RESULTS:
Munster Junior League Division 1: Clonakilty 7, Galbally 12;
Clonmel 22, Newcastle West 16;
Cobh Pirates 21, St. Senan's 26;
Kilfeacle 11, Skibbereen 9;
Kinsale 19, Waterpark 21;
Old Christians 20, Muskerry 10;
Tralee 3, St. Mary's 21;

Division 2: Ballincollig 3, Thurles 52;
Bandon 26, Waterford City 3;
Crosshaven 5, Youghal 24;
Killarney 5, Clanwilliam 22;
Mallow 19, Abbeyfeale 13;
Newport 32, Castleisland 30;
Presentation 24, Ennis 24;

Division 3: Charleville 20, Fermoy 6;

Munster Seconds League Section A: Nenagh Ormond 12, Old Crescent 19;
Richmond 22, Thomond 27;
Young Munster 3, Shannon 3;

Section B: U.C.C. 13, Cork Constitution 9;

Kelly Cup: Old Christians 10, Mitchelstown 34;

Gleeson League Section A: Galbally 7, Kilfeacle 18;
Richmond 19, Ennis 7;
U.L. Bohemian 13, Kilrush 5;

Section B: Shannon 8, Newcastle West 10;
Thurles 5, Clanwilliam 22;

Under 20 Donal Walsh Trophy Section A: Midleton 17, Sunday's Well 17;

South Munster Under 14 League Section A: Clonakilty 0, Bandon 21;

North Under 14 Conference: Newcastle West 19, Garryowen 17;

Under 18 Friendly: Tralee 47, Listowel 41;