Junior Rugby Roundup

A disappointing start for Bandon in the All Ireland Provincial League play-offs, as Kilfeacle advance in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, Clonmel win the Junior Club Challenge Cup and Crosshaven are Division 2 champions.

Bandon began their All Ireland League Provincial campaign in Ballina on Saturday and were surprisingly well beaten 45-26. Bandon must now win their two home games against Ashbourne and Instonians to have any chance of playing in the All Ireland League next season.

Santiago Gonzalez scored two tries for Bandon and Scott Kingston and Gearoid Crowley got one apiece with Kerry Desmond kicking three conversions.

In the other game Ashbourne and Instonians played out a 24-24 draw.

Kilfeacle defeated Shannon 37-5 in the Bank of Ireland Junior Cup at Coonagh to setup a home quarter final against Newcastle West next Sunday.

Shannon took the lead with a try from Gervin Rossouw but tries from Jamie Heuston and Darren Lowry and a conversion and penalty by Shane Luby had Kilfeacle 15-5 ahead at half time. Tries from Oisin O’Meara, Pat McNamara and James Ryan along with two conversions and a penalty by Luby saw the Tipperary side advance.

Clonmel won the Junior Clubs Challenge Cup for a second time with a 24-15 victory over Waterpark at Dungarvan. Nick Thompson and Luke Hogan scored tries for Clonmel and Conor Cooney kicked four penalties and a conversion. Mark Molly scored two tries for Waterpark and Emmet O’Shea got one.

Crosshaven are back in the top flight of the Munster Junior League after a five year absence following their win over Killarney that saw them clinch the Division Two title.

Going into this game Crosshaven knew they had to win this home game as they trailed St. Mary’s by two points but the Limerick side had completed their program and Thurles who were in third could overtake the Seasiders should they slip up.

Crosshaven did the business running in nine tries in their 61-24 victory. It was 42-10 to the home side at half time. Sean Grey scored two tries and Darren O’Keeffe, Steve Curran, Conor Dunlea, Adam Kent. Graham Smith, Finn Foley and Shane Bushe got one each. Ian Smith kicked eight conversions. James Allman, Brendan Fuller and Brian O’Sullivan replied with tries for Killarney and Fuller kicked three conversions and a penalty. This result will see Killarney relegated to Division Three next season.

Thurles defeated Ballincollig 36-21 to finish third. Conor O’Hagan scored two tries for Thurles and John Lillis, Luke Kelly and Kevin Maher also crossed the whitewash. Lillis kicked four conversions and a penalty. Fionnan McDermott and Michael Ward scored tries for Ballincollig and Charles Boland converted both. They were also awarded a penalty try.

Mallow edged out Muskerry 15-14 at Ballyanly. Sean Glynn and Luke O’Brien scored tries for Mallow and Jimmy Glynn kicked a conversion and a penalty. Muskerry replied with tries from George O’Mahony and Daniel Horgan and Jonathan Buckley converted both.

Waterford City defeated Old Christians 26-16 to maintain their Division Two status with this bonus point win. Michael Hayes contributed a try and three conversions to the Waterford tally, Noah Mellors and Cian Foskin also scored tries for Waterford and they were also awarded a penalty try. Sean Meany scored a try for Old Christians and John Marnell converted and added three penalties.

Mitchelstown received a walk over from Kinsale.

Ennis and Fermoy will contest the Division 3 play-off final after wins over Dungarvan and Fethard respectively.

Fermoy produced a last minute try to defeat Fethard 21-20 in the Division 3 semi-final promotion play off, a game that was transferred to the 4G pitch in U.L. Five weeks ago a similar score saw Fermoy beat the Tipperary side to deny them the Third Division title.

Two tries from James O’Driscoll gave Fermoy a 10-6 half time lead. Gary Kavanagh kicked two penalties for Fethard.

Dylan Lacey added two second half penalties for Fermoy but tries from Kavanagh and Chris Large both converted by Kavanagh had Fethard ahead 20-16 entering injury time.

With the last play of the game Peter Stapleton scored Fermoy’s match winning try.

Ennis defeated Dungarvan 27-14 in the other semi-final. Enda Galvin scored two tries for Ennis and Dylan Tynan O’Mahony and Liam Ryan got one each. Ronan O’Halloran kicked two conversions and two penalties. Martin and Lar Houlihan replied with tries for Dungarvan and David Hickey converted both.