Junior Rugby Round Up

Only half of the scheduled games in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup went ahead with wins for Abbeyfeale, Bandon, Cashel and Cork Constitution.

At Woodleigh Park Cork Constitution got sweet revenge for last year’s final defeat by Highfield in the Bank of Ireland Junior Cup with a 16-14 victory over the holders. A Darragh McNamara penalty gave Con’ a 3-0 half time lead. Twelve minutes into the second half Con’ led 13-0 with tries from Vince O’Brien and Barry Galvin, Sean Garrett brought Highfield into contention with a try which Paddy O’Toole converted. A minute from time McNamara kicked a penalty for the visitors and an injury time a try and conversion by O’Toole could not halt Highfield’s exit.

Bandon got the better of Clonakilty in the west Cork derby with a 24-17 win. Gearoid O’Leary and Olan Crowley scored tries for Bandon and Ben Ridgeway kicked four penalties and a conversion. Darragh O’Connor, Ruslan Dorogan and Rob Finglas replied with ties for Clonakilty and Eoghan Deasy added a conversion.

Abbeyfeale defeated Charleville 13-6 thanks to an injury time try by Jack Quirke which Derry O’Connor converted. Jesse Smith gave Charleville a 6-0 interval lead but two penalties from O’Connor levelled early in the second half. With extra time beckoning the visitors struck with the all-important score.

Cashel secured their quarter final place with a 21-15 home win over Thurles. Paul Hayes scored Cashel’s try which Eamonn Connolly converted and they were also awarded a penalty try. Eoghan O’Dwyer and Ciaran Ryan replied with tries for Thurles and Nicky Irwin kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Both Ballincollig v Galbally and Kinsale v Garryowen were both postponed and are now refixed for the 22nd March. While the Mallow v Kilfeacle and Newcastle West v Crosshaven were cancelled.
Four penalties from Danny Hutchinson were not enough for Bantry Bay who lost at home to Dungarvan 16-12 in the quarter final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate. Seamus Keating replied with a try for Dungarvan and David hickey kicked a conversion and three penalties.

U.L. Bohemian booked their semi-final spot with a 22-16 home win over Fethard in a hard fought contest, Tadgh Butler scored two tries for the winners and Adam Murphy and Mark Bromell got one each. Eamonn Lane kicked one conversion. Josef O’Connor replied with a try, conversion and three penalties for Fethard.

Cobh Pirates reached the final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl with a 20-5 home win over Youghal. Ian Jones scored three tries for the winners and Rory Geary got one. Killian Daly replied with a try for Youghal.

Cobh will face Clonmel in the decider as two late tries from Kealan McDonald earned the Tipperary side a 22-18 home win against Killarney. Billy O’Kelly and David O’Keeffe also scored tries for Clonmel and Dean Slattery kicked a conversion.

Skibbereen kept their hopes alive of avoiding relegation from Division 1 of the Munster Junior League with a 22-7 bonus point home win against Clanwilliam. Lorcan Carey, Daniel Duggan, Matthew Bushe and Kevin Coombes scored tries for Skibbereen and Bushe added one conversion. Ciaran O’Donnell replied with try for Clanwilliam and Niall Leahy converted.

Waterpark defeated St. Senan’s 26-3 with a bonus point win to remain four points clear of Skibb’ but the West Cork side have a game in hand away to Bandon next week. St. Senan’s are now relegated from the top flight.

Alex Deegan (2), Danny O’Keeffe and Reece Jones were Waterpark’s try scorers. Jeff Deegan kicked two conversions and John O’Flynn one. Declan Rowe replied with a penalty for Senan’s.
Muskerry have gone top in Division 2 after their 55-0 away win at Fermoy. Mark Jones got four of their nine tries with Dan Horgan, Cathal Dennehy, Rob Cahill, Darren Collins and Evan Kelly being their other try scorers. Cahill added five conversions.

Old Christians defeated Tralee 78-7 to move into second place, two points behind Muskerry but with a game in hand. Geoff Hodder scored three tries, Craig O’Connell, Jimmy Aherne and John Marnell got two each and Matt O’Connell, Cian Smith and Chris O’Donnell got one each. Marnell converted nine of the tries.

A try with the last play of the game converted by Ronan O’Halloran earned Ennis a 24-22 win away to Waterford City in Division 3. Harry Talty and Jason Smith were their other try scorers. O’Halloran converted both and also added a penalty.

Chorca Dhuibhne defeated Douglas-Carrigaline 50-17. Mikey Connor (2), Brian Devine, Caoilte Curneen, Adam Daly, Kevin Moriarty and Michael Walsh were the winners try scorers and Alan Devane kicked five conversions.