Junior Rugby Round-Up

Bandon are the new leaders in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League with just four points separating the top five sides as the competition reaches the half way mark.

Richmond were the only undefeated side in the League but that record ended when they lost at home to Bandon 13-7.

Tadgh Bennett put Richmond ahead with a try and a conversion but a penalty from Rob O’Sullivan and tries from Michael Beecher and Gearoid Crowley saw Bandon take over as leaders.

Defending champions Clonmel bounced back from last week’s defeat by Richmond to go level on points with Bandon after their 28-16 home win over Waterpark.

Three penalties from Dylan Cadogan to one by Tom Kiersey gave Clonmel a 9-3 half time lead. Stephen Pyke, Robert Coates and Dave O’Gorman added second half tries for the home side and Cadogan converted two of the tries. James Kiersey replied with a try for Waterpark and Tom Kiersey kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Kilfeacle won the big Tipperary derby defeating neighbours Clanwilliam 35-17 despite playing the game with fourteen men for sixty five minutes. At one stage they were down to thirteen with a player in the sin bin. Charles Walsh, Gavin Heuston, Cormac O’Donoghue and Kevin Kinnane scored tries for Kilfeacle and Jamie Heuston kicked three penalties and three conversions. David McCormack, Jack O’Dwyer and Brian Kissane replied with tries for Clanwilliam and Niall Leahy added a conversion.

Fourth placed Abbeyfeale’s recent run came to an end at Kanturk when the home side ran out 28-18 winners. Olan Daly scored two tries for Kanturk and Conor Cremin converted both for a 14-8 half time lead. Kanturk were awarded a penalty try in the second half and Raymond Alesana ensured a bonus point with a fourth try which Cremin converted. Stephen Collins replied with two tries for Abbeyfeale and Derry O’Connor added a try and a penalty.

Newcastle West are just four points off the leaders after their 15-13 away win at Galbally. Gordon Peters put Galbally ahead with a try which Jack O’Mullane converted. Keelan Hand levelled with a try for Newcastle west and Sean Herlihy converted.

Penalties from O’Mullane either side of half time gave the home side a 113-7 lead. Sean Murphy closed the gap to a point with a try and a penalty from on 57 minutes won the game for the visitors.

St. Senan’s defeated Youghal 16-12 at the east Cork venue with a try from Martin Corbett and a conversion and three penalties by Declan Rowe. Scott O’Sullivan and Jack Monaghan were Youghal’s try scorers and Keith McCarthy kicked a conversion.

Cobh Pirates are still pointless after they lost away to Skibbereen 32-19. Donal Collins scored two tries for the home side and Rory Hone and Ritchie Byrne got one apiece. Ger Hurley kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Cobh replied with two tries from Calvin McKeown and one from Jamie McDermott. Ian Jones added two conversions.

Crosshaven have extended their lead at the top of Division Two to five points after their 29-0 home win against Mallow. Adam Kent, Sean Grey, Shane Bushe and Tomas O’Donovan scored tries for Crosshaven and Ian Smith kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Muskerry recorded their first win of the season with a 9-3 home win over second placed St. Mary’s. Jonathan Buckley and Sean Lyons exchanged first half penalties. Buckley added two more after the break but the home side had to withstand a late rally from the Saints.

Clonakilty are level with Mary’s after their 54-19 home win over Old Christians. They scored eight tries with Ogie Scannell and Olan Deane getting two each and Andy McCarthy, Petrus Vorster, Kevin Buckley and Rob Finglas getting one apiece. Eoin Deasy kicked six conversions and Finglas one.

Craig O’Connell, Rob Stapleton and Alan O’Connell were try scorers for Old Christians and Ryan O’Connell converted two.

Thurles got back in the promotion race with a 25-3 home win against Waterford City. Eoghan O’Dwyer scored two tries for the Tipperary side and Conor O’Hagan, and Mark Cummins scored one each. John Lillis converted one and Aidan Dwyer kicked a penalty.

Castleisland defeated Mitchelstown 32-10. Mikey Cronin two, Shane O’Flynn and Dan O’Shea were Castleisland’s try scorers with O’Shea converting three and kicking two penalties. Patrick Magee replied with a try, conversion and a penalty for Mitchelstown.

The Killarney v Kinsale game was called off due to a shortage of referees.

Fethard have extended their lead at the top of Division Three after their 22-13 home win against Killorglin. Gary Kavanagh contributed two tries and a conversion to his sides tally. PJ Morrissy and Danny Lamb also scored for Fethard. Tommy Mulcahy and Cian Foley replied with tries for Killorglin and Luke O’Shea kicked a penalty.

Charleville have moved into second place in Division Three, four points behind leaders Fethard after their 15-13 away win at Fermoy. Darren Butler scored two tries for Charleville and Cathal O’Carroll kicked a conversion and a penalty. John McCarthy was Fermoy’s try scorer which Mikey Sweeney converted and Dylan Lacy added two penalties.

Ennis had a 29-5 home win over Bantry Bay. Cian Guilfoyle scored two tries for the Clare side and Liam Ryan, Mark Taylor and Elie Mundu got one each. Ronan O’Halloran kicked two conversions. Andre Polivka was Bantry’s try scorer.

Tralee had a welcome win defeating Dungarvan 21-5. Jeff Foley, Nessan Crean and Garth Walsh were try scorers for Tralee with Walsh converting all three. Daniel Slevin was Dungarvan’s try scorer.

Chorca Dhuibhne had their first win defeating Douglas-Carrigaline 13-7. Brian Murphy and Tip Delaney scored tries for the winners and Delaney added a penalty. Shane McCarthy scored the visitors try which Padraig McSweeney converted.