Junior Rugby Round Up

Clonmel and Mallow have extended their lead at the top of Division One and Two of the Munster Junior League.

In the top of the table clash in Division One at Clonmel the home side won a thrilling contest defeating Newcastle West 24-19 in a game where the lead changed hands on seven occasions.

It was Clonmel who made the early running with a try from Luke Hogan and a Darren Cass penalty. Newcastle West hit back with a try from Ian Corbett and Sean Herlihy converted and then added a penalty to put the visitors ahead 10-8.

Cass and Herlihy exchanged penalties as Clonmel led 14-13 at half time. Cass extended Clonmel’s lead with his fourth penalty but two Herlihy penalties had Newcastle West ahead 19-17 and in the dying minutes Eddie Phelan scored a try for Clonmel to preserve their unbeaten record.

Richmond moved up to second after a 36-29 home win against Crosshaven. Richmond had the bonus point wrapped up before half time as they led 26-10 at the interval. A try and conversion by Cian McGovern gave Crosshaven an early lead. Richmond levelled with a Kealan Stephenson try converted by Mullins.

McGovern restored Crosshaven’s advantage with a penalty but a second Stephenson try and one each from Eoin Hanley and Gearoid Phelan both converted by Mullins made it 26-10 at the interval. Richmond extended their lead to 33-10 early in the second half with a try from Dean O’Halloran converted by Mullins.

Crosshaven rallied in the final quarter with tries from McGovern and Jamie Kind and a McGovern conversion. Mullins kicked a penalty for Richmond but in the final play of the game Ciaran Conlon touched down and McGovern converted to see the visitors pick up two valuable bonus points.

Bandon were made work hard for their 22-0 home win over St. Senan’s and thus keep their unbeaten record. Kieran Phelan, Kerry Desmond and Tom Ferguson scored tries for Bandon and Desmond converted all three and also added a penalty.

Skibbereen’s unbeaten run came to an end at Kilfeacle where they went down 28-12. Kilfeacle were awarded two penalty tries and James Ryan and Ricky Whitney scored one try each with Brodie Flannery converting both. Kevin Coombes scored two tries for Skibb’ and Matthew Bushe kicked a conversion.

Clanwilliam defeated Abbeyfeale 16-11 with a try from Nathan Murphy Crowe and Niall Leahy converted and added three penalties. Derry O’Connor scored a try for Abbeyfeale and Stephen Daly kicked two penalties.

Waterpark recorded their first win with a 26-18 home win over St. Mary’s. Scott Hornibrook and Alex Deegan scored tries for Waterpark and Glenn Kavanagh converted both and added four penalties. Darragh Kerley and Alan Kiely replied with tries for Mary’s and Paul Loughran kicked two penalties and a conversion.

A last minute penalty by Conor Cremin earned Kanturk their first points of the campaign as they defeated Galbally 14-12. Eoin O’Sullivan scored a try for Kanturk and Cremin kicked three penalties.

Mallow have made it four bonus point wins from four in Division Two after their 57-7 away win at Rathcooney against Old Christians. David Walsh was Mallow’s top scorer with three tries, a penalty and seven conversions. David Breen scored two tries and Hugh Barry, Sean Glynn and Brian Ward got one each. Jeff Hodder scored a try for the home side and Ryan O’Connell converted.

Clonakilty moved into second place after their 25-13 home win over Charleville. Mike O’Hea and Aaron Hayes scored tries for Clon’ and Eoghan Deasy kicked five penalties.

Kinsale and Muskerry played out a 14-14 draw at Snugmore. Wayne Falvey and Timmy Lynch scored tries for Kinsale and Barry McGrory converted both. Lewis Grice scored Muskerry’s try and Jonathan Buckley landed three penalties.

A try from Ian Jones and a Max Khan penalty was not enough for Cobh Pirates who lost at home to Fethard 10-8. Tim Daly scored a try for Fethard and Josef O’Connor kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Fermoy defeated Castleisland 24-0. Fermoy led 10-0 at half time with a try by Peter Skuse and a conversion and a penalty by Dylan Lacey. Conor Ahern and Tom Murphy added second half tries and Lacey converted both.

Youghal defeated Thurles 21-16 with tries from Stephen Kelly and Alan Frahill O’Connor. Keith McCarthy kicked a conversion and three penalties. Conor O’Hagan scored a try for Thurles and John Lillis added two penalties/

Ballincollig lost at home to Waterford City 16-14.

Tralee have joined Mitchelstown at the top of Division 3 after their 58-14 home win against Killorglin. Rodi Healy and Rob Lynch scored tries for Killorglin and Lynch converted both.

Mitchelstown defeated Dungarvan 25-13 in a game that also doubled up as a Martin O’Sullivan Cup tie. David Sheehan scored two tries for Mitchelstown and Morgan Fox one. Tom O’Callaghan kicked two conversions and two penalties. Martin Houlihan replied with a try for Dungarvan and David Hickey converted and added two penalties.

Killarney maintained their challenge with a 36-0 away win at Ballydavid against Chorca Dhuibhne. Paul O’Sullivan, Brian Lynch, James Allman, Mike Sheahan and Aaron jones scored tries for Killarney who were also awarded a penalty try. Oisin O’Shea kicked two conversions.

Bantry Bay won the West Cork derby with a 13-6 win at Dunmanway. Declan Coppinger scored a try for Bantry and Andre Polivka converted and added two penalties. Darragh McCarthy replied with two penalties for Dunmanway.

Ennis defeated Douglas-Carrigaline 45-8. Cian Guilfoyle and Stephen Dolan each scored three tries for Ennis and Conor Collins got one. Ronan O’Halloran kicked five conversions. Denis Kelleher replied with a try for the visitors and Luke Johnson kicked a penalty.