Junior Rugby Roundup

There were no upsets in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup as Richmond extended their lead at the top of the Munster Junior Cup.

Defending champions Clonmel hopes of a fourth successive Junior League title received a major setback as Bandon defeated them 10-9 at the west Cork venue. Dylan Cadogan had Clonmel 9-0 ahead at half time with three penalties. A controversial penalty try brought Bandon back into contention early in the second half. A Billy Crowley penalty five minutes from time earned Bandon the points and kept Bandon’s title aspirations alive.

Richmond have extended their lead to five points after their 33-7 away win at Clanwilliam. Kealan McMahon, Ger Barry, Barry Laffan, Jack O’Hanlon and Tadgh Bennett all scored tries for Richmond and Bennett kicked four conversions. Derek Shields scored a late try for Clanwilliam and Niall Leahy converted.

Kilfeacle maintained their challenge with a 36-15 away win at Abbeyfeale. Gavin Heuston, Jamie Hogan, Ciaran Lowry and Cormac Ryan were Kilfeacle’s try scorers and Jamie Heuston kicked four conversions and a penalty. Derry O’Connor and Colm O’Sullivan replied with tries for Abbeyfeale and Stephen Daly added a penalty and a conversion.

Newcastle West kept up their challenge with a 24-3 home win over Youghal. Niall Kelly, Sean Ives, Sean Murphy and Alan O’Riordan scored tries for the west Limerick side and Sean Herlihy added two conversions. Keith McCarthy kicked a penalty for Youghal.

A late Liam Casey penalty for Galbally earned them their first win of the campaign with a 19-18 win away to pointless Cobh Pirates. The Pirates led 18-10 at half time with tries from David Lambe, Jamie McDermot and Eoin McSweeney. Adam Devlin kicked a penalty. Casey and Brendan Childs scored tries for Galbally and Casey added three second half penalties.

Kanturk eased their relegation worries with a 23-12 away win at St. Senan’s. Tadhg McSweeney, Mike Bradley and Matt Daly scored tries for Kanturk and Conor Cremin kicked two penalties and a conversion. Aidan McMahon and Warren Kelly scored tries for Senan’s and Rowe kicked a conversion.

Waterpark defeated Skibbereen 37-7. Ian Kiersey scored three tries for the winners, Nick O’Donoghue, Glen Kavanagh and Sam Keating got one each. Tom Kiersey kicked two conversions and a penalty. Kieran Shannon was Skibbereen’s try scorer and Denis McCarthy converted.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup Muskerry defeated Old Christians 31-20. Mark Jones, Cillian Horgan and Joe Treacy scored tries for Muskerry and Jonathan Buckley kicked four penalties and two conversions. Dave O’Driscoll and Ross Murphy replied with tries for Old Christians and Ryan O’Connell converted both and also added two penalties.

Old Crescent defeated Thurles 25-6. Two penalties from John Lillis gave Thurles an early 6-0 lead. Old Crescent replied with tries from Niall Hardiman, Paul McNamara and Josh Page. Jack Broderick and Brian Bennett kicked a conversion and Bennett added two penalties.

Crosshaven defeated Ballincollig 25-0 with Jamie Burke and Ian Murphy scoring two tries each and Jamie Kind got one. Ian Smith kicked two conversions and two penalties.

A Dylan Lacey penalty had Fermoy 3-0 ahead at half time at Grove Island. St Mary’s rallied with a try from Keith McManus and three Paul Loughran penalties earned the Saints a 14-3 victory.

Highfield travelled to Ennis and defeated the Clare side 38-11. Gavin O’Leary scored two tries for the winners and Dave O’Callaghan, Eddie Earle, Eoin Keating and Paul Stack got a try each. David Eustace kicked four conversions. Noel Downes scored a try for Ennis and Ronan O’Halloran kicked two penalties.

Cashel defeated Waterford City 49-3. Brendan Crosse scored three tries for Cashel, Brian Fitzpatrick two and Paul Hayes, Paul Perrin and Ollie McGlinchey got one each. Ryan O’Donnell kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Kinsale booked their place in the next round with a 31-10 home win over Chorca Dhuibhne. Joe Lyons and Mark O’Connell each scored two tries and Billy Hayes one. Evan Palmer added three conversions. Colm Corduff replied with a try for Chorca Dhuibhne and Seamus Moriarty kicked a conversion and a penalty.

An Andre Polivka penalty was not enough for Bantry Bay who lost at home to Killorglin 19-3. Niall O’Brien and Tony Lynch scored tries for Killorglin and Luke O’Shea added three penalties.

Castleisland defeated Mallow 30-19. Sean Nolan, Mike Cronin, Kieran Downey were Castleisland’s try scorers. Dan O’Shea kicked three conversions and three penalties.

In the Junior 2 League South play offs Cork Constitution defeated Highfield 10-0. Con’ led 7-0 at half time with a try from Dave Hayes and Robin O’Flynn converted. O’Flynn kicked a penalty in the second half.