Junior Rugby Round-Up

It was a day of change in the Munster Junior League as the leaders in Division 1 and 3 lost for the first time and Crosshaven moved ahead of St. Mary’s in Division Two.

Richmond are now the only unbeaten side in the Munster Junior League after their epic 31-24 away win over defending champions Clonmel.

This was Clonmel’s first home defeat in the league in four years.

The sides were level 7-7 at half time with each side being awarded a penalty try.

Tadgh Bennett and Conor Cooney exchanged penalties early in the second half before two quick tries from Keelan Stephenson both converted by Bennett gave Richmond a 24-10 lead. Dylan Cadogan reduced the gap with a try and conversion, but Stephenson struck again for his third try which Bennett converted.

Neville Melbourne scored a try in injury time and Cooney converted but Richmond held out to take the points and go top of the table.

Bandon moved up to second place after they came from 9-0 down at half time to defeat Kilfeacle 14-9. Jamie Heuston kicked three penalties for the Tipperary side in the opening half. Tries from Mike Murphy and Santiago Gonzalez both converted by Rob O’Sullivan gave Bandon the lead but they had to withstand a late rally before claiming the victory.

A last minute try by Cormac Roche converted by Derry O’Connor earned Abbeyfeale a 10-7 home win over Youghal to move them into fourth place.

O’Connor kicked a first half penalty as Abbeyfeale trailed 7-3 at the break. Alan Frahill O’Connor scored Youghal’s try and Keith McCarthy converted.

Clanwilliam came from 14-10 down at half time to beat Kanturk 34-14 and moved up to fifth place ahead of Kilfeacle. Brian Kissane, Sean Walsh, Vivion Grisewood and Ciaran O’Donnell scored tries for Clanwilliam. Niall Leahy kicked four conversions and two penalties. Dathai Fitzpatrick and Conor Cremin replied with tries for Kanturk and Cremin converted both.

Newcastle West kept their hopes alive with a 34-3 home win against Skibbereen. They are now in seventh place two points of a top four place.

Sean Ivess scored two tries for the winners and Alan O’Riordan, Brian O’Sullivan and Sean Murphy got one each. Sean Herlihy kicked three conversions and a penalty. Denis McCarthy kicked a penalty for the visitors.

Waterpark kept their hopes alive of a top four finish with a 50-5 home win over Cobh Pirates. It was 14-5 to Waterpark at half time and it was only in the final quarter that the home side took control of the game.

Eugene Smith, Ivan Kiersey, Rory Hannon, Danny O’Driscoll, Tom Kiersey, James Kiersey and Sam Keating all scored tries for Waterpark and Tom Kiersey kicked six conversions and a penalty. Calvin McKeown was Pirates try scorer.

It was a game of penalties at Jim Slattery Park as St. Senan’s defeated Galbally 12-6. The home side led 6-3 at half time with two penalties from Declan Rowe. John Kearns kicked one for Galbally.

Jack O’Mullane tied the scores with a penalty early in the second half but two further Rowe penalties secured victory for Senan’s but Galbally did pick up a losing bonus point their first of the season.

Crosshaven have moved into top place in Division Two ahead of St. Mary’s after their 24-6 bonus point win away to Mitchelstown. Tomas O’Donovan, Adam Kent, Graham Smith and Michael Lynch scored tries for Crosshaven and Lynch added two conversions. Pat Molloy replied with two penalties for the home side.

St Mary’s beat Thurles 10-7 with a Penalty Try and a penalty from Sean Lyons. Thurles replied with a try from Eoghan O’Dwyer which John Lillis converted.

Kinsale kept their promotion hopes alive with a 12-11 home win over Clonakilty under lights on Friday night. A try from Kevin Buckley and two penalties by Mark Purcell gave Clonakilty an 11-0 half time lead. Barry McGrory kicked four penalties after the break to give Kinsale victory.

Ballincollig caused a big shock at Rathcooney when they defeated Old Christians 35-24. Podge Flynn scored two tries for Ballincollig and Mike Ward and Sam Hannan got a try each. Hannan kicked three conversions and three penalties. Craig O’Connell, Shane Barry and Rob Stapleton scored tries for Old Christians and Sean Meany kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Mallow eased their relegation worries with a 20-10 home win over Killarney. Michael Sweeney and Hugh Barry scored tries for Mallow. Sam Holt converted both tries and also kicked a penalty as did Jimmy Glynn. Mark Griffin replied with two tries for Killarney.

Waterford City defeated Castleisland 26-13. Damien Walsh Aidan Power and Aaron Foskin scored tries for Waterford and Foskin kicked three penalties and a conversion. Kieran Downey replied with a try for Castleisland and Dan O’Shea converted and added two penalties.

Division Three leaders Fethard lost for the first time when Dungarvan defeated them 12-11. David Hickey kicked four penalties for Dungarvan.

This game also doubled up as a Martin O’Sullivan Cup semi-final tie and Dungarvan will now meet the winners of Ennis v Killorglin in the final.

Killorglin and Ennis met at the Kerry venue and victory went to the home side 10-7. Timmy Lynch scored a try for Killorglin and Dave Coffey kicked a conversion and a penalty. Mike McMahon was the Ennis try scorer and Dylan Tynan O’Mahony converted.

Charleville kept their promotion hopes alive with a 12-0 home win over Tralee. Ger Sheehan scored two tries for Charleville and Cathal Carroll kicked a conversion.

Fermoy defeated Douglas-Carrigaline 24-10 with tries from John McCarthy, Eddie O’Connell and Tom Murphy. Dylan Lacey kicked three conversions and a penalty. Joe Harkin and Dave McCarthy replied with tries for Douglas-Carrigaline.

Bantry Bay defeated Chorca Dhuibhne 31-6. Andre Polivka, Declan Coppinger, Ray Coppinger, Garrett Murphy scored tries for Bantry and Polivka kicked four conversions and a penalty. Tip Delaney replied with two penalties for the Kerry Gaeltacht side.