Junior Rugby Round Up

After the first series of games in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, three sides share top spot with maximum points.

The defending champions Bandon opened their campaign with an away 23-9 at Waterpark. Bandon led 10-6 at half time with a try from John Leahy and a conversion and penalty by Kerry Desmond. Gearoid Crowley and Jerry Crowley added further tries for Bandon and Desmond kicked a penalty. Glen Kavanagh kicked three penalties for Waterpark.

Richmond defeated 38-27 Abbeyfeale at the west Limerick venue in a game that produced nine tries. Kieran Bennett scored two tries for Richmond and Adam Somers, Stephen Collins and Corey Wells each got one. Tadgh Bennett converted all five tries and also added a penalty. Derry O’Connor (2), Kieran McCarthy and Brian Collins were Abbeyfeale’s try scorers. O’Connor kicked a penalty and a conversion and Trent Rati also added a conversion.

Newcastle West defeated Kanturk 32-10 in a comprehensive victory. Michael Burke, Taliolega Tuaau, Sean Ivess scored tries for the home side and Sean Herlihy contributed two tries, two conversions and a penalty. Ronan O’Brien replied with a try, conversion and a penalty for Kanturk.

The big shock of the day was St. Senan’s 28-23 home win over Kilfeacle. In a closely fought opening half the sides were level 6-6 at the break with Craig Airey kicking two penalties for Senan’s and Shane Luby replying with a drop goal and a penalty for Kilfeacle. A third Luby penalty and tries from Brodie Flannery and Philip O’Connor both converted by Luby put Kilfeacle 23-9 ahead mid-way through the second half. Airey kicked a third penalty for Senan’s. In a late rally tries from Conor Ferns, Warren Kelly and Neal McDonagh, two of which Airey converted gave the home side the points.

Skibbereen collected maximum points with a 31-12 home win over Galbally. Kieran Shannon, Matthew Bushe, Dan Kingston and Joe Hickey scored tries for Skibb’ and Bushe converted all four and also added a penalty.

The meeting of the two promoted clubs from Division Two last season saw Crosshaven take the honours with a 19-13 home win over St. Mary’s. Sean Grey and Todd O’Donovan scored tries for Crosshaven and Cian McGovern kicked three penalties.

In Division Two Castleisland came from 19-7 down to beat Ballincollig 34-19 at the Kerry venue. Brian Leonard scored two tries for the winners and Kieran Downey and Flor McCarthy scored one apiece. Leonard kicked three conversions, penalty and a drop goal. Connie Reynolds also added a conversion. Ian O’Malley, Fionnan McDermot and Michael Ward replied with tries for Ballincollig and Charlie Boland kicked two conversions.

Cobh Pirates had a surprising 22-6 away win at Thurles. John Noonan, Martin Clifford and Ian Jones scored tries for Cobh. Jones kicked two conversions and a penalty.

At Charleville Old Christians defeated the home side 37-20. Alan O’Dea, Eddie Delahunt, Conor Kiely and Gael Kaleng were Christians try scorers. Eugene Redmond kicked four conversions and three penalties. Jake Madigan, Darren Butler and James O’Flynn scored tries for Charleville and Eoin O’Carroll kicked a penalty and a conversion.

A late collapse by Fermoy allowed Clonakilty score two late tries to win 28-10. A try from Peter Skuse and a conversion and a penalty by Dylan Lacey gave Fermoy a 10-7 half time lead. Aaron Hayes scored two tries for Clon’, Batt Duggan and Mark Purcell got one each. Andrew McCarthy and Shane Deasy each kicked two conversions.

Mallow recorded a 34-10 away win over Fethard. Mike Lenihan scored two tries for Mallow and Tysone Stephens, Mike Flynn and Sean Glynn got one each. Dave Breen kicked three conversions and a penalty. Gary Kavanagh replied with a try, conversion and a penalty for the Tipperary side.

Muskerry defeated Youghal 20-7 with Jonathan Buckley scoring a try, two conversions and two penalties. Lewis Grice also scored a try for the winners. Jack Monaghan was Youghal’s try scorer and Aaron Daly converted.

Kinsale defeated Waterford City 23-13 with tries from Fergus Gimblett, Mark O’Connell and John Gallagher. Barry McGrory added two penalties and a conversion. Simon O’Hara was Waterford’s try scorer and Darren Walsh kicked a conversion and two penalties.

In Division Three, for both Dunmanway and Scariff who made a return to this division, after a few year’s absence both sides suffered away defeats.

Chorca Dhuibhne beat Dunmanway 53-5. Ciaran Slattery, Caoilte Curneen, Martin O’Gorman, Adam Daly, Donal Hanafin, Seamus Moriarty and Finn Matthews were try scorers for Chorca Dhuibhne. Moriarty kicked three conversions and four penalties. Luka Duganzic replied with a try for Dunmanway.

Bantry Bay defeated Scariff 21-13 with veteran Declan Coppinger scoring two tries for Bantry and Ian Hurley one. Andre Polivka kicked two penalties. Scariff had tries from Michael Quigley and Ger Burke.

In a thrilling game at Killorglin, Dungarvan defeated the home side 22-19. Martin Houlihan scored three tries for the visitors and David Hickey kicked two conversions and a penalty. Timmy Lynch was Killorglin’s try scorer and Luke O’Shea converted and added four penalties.

Mitchelstown who were regraded to Division Three defeated Douglas-Carrigaline at the Mahon 38-5. Pa Norris scored two tries for the winners and Sean Molloy, Chris Noonan, Morgan Fox and Tom O’Callaghan each got one. O’Callaghan kicked four conversions and Dave McCarthy replied with a try for the home side.

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