Junior Rugby Roundup

Cobh Pirates caused the only shock in the opening round of the Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup with a home victory over Galbally.

Last season’s beaten finalists Crosshaven began their campaign with a 16-7 away win over Waterpark. Paddy Kersey gave Waterpark a 7-3 interval lead with a try and conversion. Kieran Doran kicked a penalty for the visitors. After the break Eamon Ring and Ross O’Connell ran in tries and Doran added a second penalty.

Galbally looked like they were advancing to the quarter finals as they led Cobh Pirates 10-0 at half time with a try from Ian Ryan which Liam Casey converted and a penalty by Darren Guerin. Mark Chandler replied with four penalties after the break for the Pirates to send a young Cobh side through to the quarter finals.

A late penalty by Darragh Clancy earned Richmond a 15-12 victory over Old Christians at Rathcooney. A try by Paul McGrath which Conor Mangan converted to a Jonathon Forde penalty gave the home side a 7-3 interval lead. John O’Flynn scored another try for Old Christians but two penalties each by Forde and Clancy saw Richmond advance.

Tralee bounced back to winning ways after last week’s surprise defeat by Corca Dhuibhne in the McElligott Cup with a 9-6 home victory over Kanturk. Garrett Walsh kicked two penalties for the home side and Brian Mullins one. Darragh Meade replied with two penalties for the visitors.

Two missed conversions from under the posts cost Clonmel dearly as they lost away to Clanwilliam 13-10. A try by Conor Cooney on thirty eight minutes gave Clonmel a 5-0 interval lead. One minute into the second half Cooney again touched down under the posts but both conversions were missed. Brian Kissane opened Clanwilliam’s account with a penalty after fifty two minutes. Three minutes from time Gavin Bunn scored a try for the home side and Kissane converted to tie up the scores and with the last play of the game Kissane landed a penalty to setup a quarter final meeting with arch rivals Kilfeacle next week.

Skibbereen defeated St. Senan’s to book their place in the last eight 20-10. Skibbereen led 12-3 at half time with tries from Ivan Jennings and John O’Sullivan and a conversion from David Shannon to a penalty by Declan Collins. Senan’s closed the gap to two points with a try by Fernando Gallant which Collins converted. Shannon made sure the West Cork side advanced with a penalty and a try.

Bantry Bay advanced to the next round of the Cork County Cup after an exciting 22-19 win over Shandon at Dunmanway. Dave and Brian Keohane scored tries for the winners and Adrian Hanrahan kicked four penalties. Barry Linehan, Mark Newcombe and Steve Boyler replied with tries for Shandon and Tom Barry kicked two conversions.

Killarney will meet Corca Dhuibhne in the final of the McElligott Cup after their 6-5 away win over Castleisland. Paudie Sheehan kicked two penalties for the winners and Matthew Ahern replied with a try for Castleisland.

Highfield defeated U.C.C. 22-8 in the Munster Seconds League Southern Section at Curaheen Road. Paul Stack, Colm Gallagher, Cathal Tuohy and George French scored tries for Highfield and Dave Eustace kicked a conversion.

Highfield caused a big shock in the opening round of the Dennehy Cup with a 28-10 win over Dolphin at Musgrave Park. Tom McCarthy scored two tries and Keith Roche and Mike Haydon got one each with Haydon converting all four. Gary Ross replied with a try for Dolphin and Martin Ahern converted and also added a penalty.

Holders Cork Constitution defeated Bandon 29-13 at Old Chapel. Killian Glynn put Bandon ahead with a penalty but the visitors hit back with tries from James O’Sullivan, Fergus Rowan and Darren O’Connell before Jerry Crowley scored a try for Bandon which Glynn converted to leave it 15-10 at half time. Glynn closed the gap to two points with a penalty early in the second half but tries from James and Rory O’Sullivan and a conversion by Simon Barry saw the holders through to the quarter finals.

Carrigaline will face Cork Constitution next week after they recorded a 39-10 victory away to Kinsale. Rory Murphy scored four tries for the winners and Stuart Donaldson, Kieran Kelleher and Dave O’Donoghue got one each. Donaldson added a conversion and penalty. Ian Costello replied with a try for Kinsale and Conor Stallard added a conversion and penalty.

Last season’s beaten finalists Ballincollig advanced with a 25-5 away win over Douglas. Eoin Ryan, Arthur Crowley and Keith Stafford scored tries for the winners and Paul Dinneen kicked two conversions and two penalties. Barry Hynes replied with a try for Douglas.

Cobh Pirates had a 31-17 home win over Clonakilty. Fergal Twomey, Colm Morgan, Dave Mulcahy, Liam Greaney and Sean McDermott scored tries for Cobh and Eoin Geary added three conversions.

Mallow defeated Cork Transport 25-0. Conor O’Donovan and Dave O’Leary each scored two tries and Neill Sexton got one.

Old Christians defeated Sunday’s Well 24-17 with John O’Flynn scoring two tries and Conor O’Halloran and |Philip O’Connor getting one each. Pat Ryan kicked two conversions.

Muskerry defeated Youghal 20-7. Pat O’Rourke scored two tries for Muskerry and Kevin McCarthy got one and Eoin Keohane kicked a conversion and a penalty.

RESULTS:
RaboDirect Pro 12: Munster 20, Newport Dragons 12;

Under 20 Representative: Leicester Academy 30, Munster 30;

Women's Inter Provincial: Connacht 18, Munster 28;

Cork Charity Cup Semi Final: Midleton 11, Highfield 14;

Limerick Charity Cup Semi Finals: UL Bohemian 14, Shannon 25;
Young Munster 42, Thomond 6;

Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup: Clanwilliam 13, Clonmel 10;
Cobh Pirates 12, Galbally 10;
Old Christians 12, Richmond 15;
Skibbereen 25, St. Senan's 10;
Tralee 9, Kanturk 6;
Waterpark 7, Crosshaven 16;

Munster Seconds League South: Dolphin 29, Midleton 19;
U.C.C. 8, Highfield 22;

Cork County Cup: Bantry Bay 22, Shandon 19;

McElligott Cup Semi Final; Castleisland 5, Killarney 6;

Dennehy Cup: Bandon 13, Cork Constitution 29;
Cobh Pirates 31, Clonakilty 17;
Dolphin 10, Highfield 28;
Douglas 5, Ballincollig 25;
Kinsale 10, Carrigaline 39;
Mallow 25, Cork Transport o;
Muskerry 20, Youghal 7;
Sunday's Well 17, Old Christians 24;

Junior Friendly: Ballincollig 24, Fermoy 5;