Junior Rugby Roundup

It was a dramatic day in the Munster Junior League as defending champions Clonmel’s hopes of a fourth successive title ended at Newcastle West, while the final series of games in Division Three ended in a sensational finish with Charleville claiming the title on the number of games won.

There certainly was drama in the Third Division.

Fethard started the day four points ahead of Charleville but that total included a bonus point they got against Chorca Dhuibhne, while Charleville who got a walk over from Chorca Dhuibhne were denied a bonus point so as per the rules that bonus point was knocked off Fethard’s tally.

Three minutes into added time Gary Kavanagh kicked a penalty to put Fethard 20-18 ahead. Back came Fermoy and in the ninth minute of added time Dylan Lacey kicked a penalty to give Fermoy victory 21-20.

Peter Skuse and Eddie O’Connell scored tries for Fermoy and Lacey added a conversion and three penalties. Conor Kavanagh and Danny Lambe replied with tries for Fethard and Gary Kavanagh kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Charleville travelled to Killorglin and defeated the home side 21-12. Kieran O’Connell and Eoin McMahon scored tries for Charleville who were also awarded a penalty try. Cathal O’Carroll converted both tries.

Liam Griffin and Tom Healy scored tries for Killorglin and Luke O’Shea kicked a conversion.

When the Fethard result reached Killorglin Charleville started the celebrations as they had won the title on the most wins rule.

It now looks like a three horse race for the First Division title as Bandon, Kilfeacle and Richmond recorded bonus point wins with one round of games to go.

Richmond hold a five point lead over Bandon and eleven over Kilfeacle but Bandon have one game in hand and Kilfeacle two.

Richmond defeated bottom side Cobh Pirates 43-17 Kieran Bennett and Kealan Stephenson scored two tries each for Richmond and Eoin Hanly, Mike Kelleher and Ryan Meagher got one apiece. Tadgh Bennett kicked four conversions. Eoin McSweeney, Noel O’Donovan and Ian O’Donovan replied with tries for Cobh and McSweeney added one conversion.

Bandon maintained their challenge with a 27-13 away win at St. Senan’s. Gearoid O’Leary, Tim Crowley, Tom Ferguson and Mike Murphy scored tries for Bandon’s and Kerry Desmond kicked two conversions and a penalty. Declan Rowe replied with a try, conversion and two penalties for Senan’s.

Kilfeacle maintained their challenge with a 26-15 victory at Skibbereen. Ciaran Lowry, Jack McLoughlin, Shane Luby and Ricky Whitney scored tries for Kilfeacle and Luby converted three. Kieran Shannon and Odhran Hogan replied with tries for the home side and Ger Hurley kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Holders Clonmel lost away to Newcastle West 23-17. Sean Ivess and Tommy Kelleher scored tries for Newcastle West and Sean Herlihy added three penalties and two conversions. Luke Hogan replied with two tries for Clonmel and Stephen Pyke one. Pat O’Connor kicked one conversion.

Kanturk eased their relegation worries with a 12-8 away win over Galbally. Raymond Alesana and Kealan Buckley scored tries for Kanturk and Conor Cremin added a conversion. Michael Donovan scored Galbally’s try and Liam Casey kicked a penalty.

Youghal remain second last in the table after their 14-3 home defeat by Waterpark. Damian O’Dwyer and Mark Molloy scored tries for Waterpark and Tom Kiersey converted both. Keith McCarthy kicked a penalty for the east Cork side.

Abbeyfeale and Clanwilliam played out a 15-15 draw. Liam O’Connor and Michael Roche scored tries for Abbeyfeale and Tom Hassett kicked a penalty and a conversion. Niall Leahy and Coman Ryan were Clanwilliam’s try scorers and Leahy added a conversion and a penalty.

Second Division leaders Crosshaven defeated Ballincollig 18-5 to remain top but their lead is down to five points. Tommy O’Donovan, Sean Grey and Graham Smith scored tries for Crosshaven and Michael Lynch kicked a penalty. Fionnan McDermott was Ballincollig’s try scorer.

Thurles remain in second place after their 52-3 home win over Old Christians. Conor O’Hagan scored three tries, Kevin Maher two, Ciaran Ryan, Eoghan O’Dwyer and john Lillis one each. Lillis kicked six conversions.

St. Mary’s are in third spot six points behind Crosshaven but with a game in hand. They defeated Kinsale 26-12. Sean Lyons, Paul O’Loughlin, Killian Markham and Keith McManus were try scorers for the Saints and O’Loughlin converted three of the tries. Billy Hayes and Thomas Keogh scored tries for Kinsale and Barry McGrory converted one.

Clonakilty are eleven points behind the leaders with two games in hand. They defeated bottom side Killarney 21-14 with tries from Aaron Hayes and Stephen Cotter. Eoin Deasy kicked three penalties and a conversion. Shane McSweeney and Brian O’Sullivan were Killarney’s try scorers. Paudie Sheahan and Brendan Fuller each kicked a conversion.

Muskerry overcame Mitchelstown 14-0 with a try from Joe Treacy and three penalties by Jonathan Buckley.

Waterford City lost at home to Mallow 22-15. Simon O’Hara and Jake O’Neill scored tries for Waterford and Michael Hayes kicked a conversion and a penalty. Conor O’Donovan, Jimmy Glynn, Brian Ward and Michael Lenihan scored tries for Mallow and Glynn kicked a conversion.

The other games in Division Three were places for the play offs were at stake saw a last minute penalty from Blaine Healy earn Dungarvan a 15-14 away at Bantry Bay. Martin Houlihan and Lawrence Houlihan scored tries for Dungarvan and Daniel Slevin converted one. Ciaran Noonan and John Lavin Were Bantry’s try scorers and Andre Polivka converted both.

Ennis finished their campaign in third place after their 34-24 away win at Chorca Dhuibhne. Conor Collins, Liam Ryan, Enda Galvin and Mike McMahon scored tries for Ennis. They also were awarded a penalty try. Ronan O’Halloran kicked a conversion and a penalty. Chorca Dhuibhne replied with tries two tries from Adam Daly and one each by Nicky Moriarty and Caoilte Curneen. Seam Moriarty kicked two conversions.

The Douglas-Carrigaline tie was postponed because of a water logged pitch and will now be played next weekend.

The draw for the play offs will be (a) Fethard v Chorca Dhuibhne; (b) Ennis v Bantry Bay; (c) Dungarvan v Tralee or Killorglin; (d) Fermoy v Tralee or Killorglin.

Semi Finals: (e): a v d; (f): b v c;

Quarter Finals to be played on 25^th March with a 2pm kick off. Higher ranked team to have home advantage.