Junior Rugby Round Up

Clonmel opened up a five point lead at the top of Division 1 of the Munster Junior League after a day of upsets.

Clonmel travelled to Crosshaven and emerged winners 13-6 but not after a gallant performance by the home side. Greg Carroll put Clonmel ahead with a try after two minutes which was converted by Darren Cass. The home side opened their account with a Cian McGovern penalty after thirteen minutes. Cass and McGovern exchanged penalties to leave the visitors 10-6 ahead at half time. A Cass penalty mid-way through the second half saw Clonmel emerge winners as they withstood a brave rally by Crosshaven.

The big shock was in Skibbereen where a late penalty by Matthew Bushe earned the home side an 11-10 victory over Richmond in a thrilling contest that sees the west Cork side move up to second place. A try by Daniel Kingston gave Skibb’ a 5-0 interval lead. Bushe extended his side’s advantage with a penalty as Richmond hit back with tries by Sean Considine and Shane Halpin to lead until Bush’s late penalty decided it.

Bandon’s hopes of retaining their title received a setback when they lost away to Newcastle West 21-13. A try, conversion and penalty by Sean Herlihy saw the home side race into a 10-0 lead after eight minutes. Herlihy and Kerry Desmond exchanged penalties as the home side led 13-3 at half time. A try by Ian Corbett and a third Herlihy penalty put Newcastle West in the driving seat. Two late tries by Ryan Hayes and Ben Ridgeway were not enough to save Bandon.

A late try by Martin Mulvery converted by John Kearns earned bottom side Galbally a share of the spoils as they drew at home with Kilfeacle 26-26. Paudie Finnan, Kevin Casey and Hack Donovan scored tries for Galbally and Kearns converted two them. Stephen Quirke Darren Lowry, Jack McLaughlin and Cian Ryan replied with tries for Kilfeacle and Brodie Flannery added three conversions.

Abbeyfeale recorded their first victory with a 28-27 home win over Waterpark thanks to a late penalty from Stephen Daly. Trent Reti, John Murphy and James O’Meara added tries for Abbeyfeale. Daly kicked two more penalties and Derry O’Connor two conversions. Alex Molloy replied with three tries for Waterpark and Hugh O’Connor got one. Glenn Kavanagh kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Kanturk moved out of the relegation zone with a 28-10 bonus point victory at St. Mary’s. Conor O’Sullivan scored two tries for the winners and Jack Bradley and Ronan O’Brien got one each with O’Brien converting all four tries. Darragh Kerley scored a try for Mary’s which he also converted and Alan Kiely kicked a penalty.

St. Senan’s edged out Clanwilliam 17-11 in a thrilling encounter at Jim Slattery Park. Niall Leahy opened the scoring with a penalty for Clanwilliam but a Conor Ferns try converted by Craig Airey had Senan’s 7-3 ahead at the interval. Leahy and Airy exchanged penalties before a Leahy try put Clanwilliam ahead 11-10. A try from Warren Kelly converted by Airey sealed the points for the home side.

Leaders Mallow continued their good run with a 35-5 bonus point win at home to Cobh Pirates in Division Two. Brian Henry scored two tries for Mallow and Mike Sweeney, Jimmy Glynn and Owen Glynn got one each. David Breen kicked two penalties and a conversion. Jimmy Glynn also added a conversion. Calvin McKeown scored a try for the Pirates.

Clonakilty maintained their challenge with a 41-17 away win at Waterford City. Batt Duggan scored two tries for Clon’, Rob Howick, Joe Crowley, Arran Hayes and Maurice Shanley got one each. Eoghan Deasy kicked four conversions and a penalty. Michael Hayes replied with all of Waterford’s scores.

A last minute try by Wayne Falvey converted by Barry McGrory earned Kinsale a 24-22 win at home to Old Christians. Dan Horgan, Philip Walters and Mark O’Connell were Kinsale’s other try scorers. Bryan Sisk, Matt O’Connell and Ryan Butt replied with tries for Christians and Ryan O’Connell added two conversions and a penalty.

Muskerry kept their promotion hopes alive with a 43-5 bonus point win over Castleisland at Ballyanly. Sean O’Riordan, Lewis Grice, Cathal Dennehy, Mark Jones. Philip O’Callaghan and Joe Treacy scored tries for Muskerry and Jonathan Buckley kicked five conversions and one penalty. Kieran Downey replied with a try for Castleisland.

Fermoy defeated Thurles 14 -11 with a James McCarthy try and three Dylan Lacey penalties. Dylan O’Shaughnessy scored a try for Thurles and John Lillis kicked two penalties.

Fethard defeated Ballincollig 12-11. Gary Kavanagh and Josef O’Connor licked two penalties each for the Tipperary side.

In Division Three Mitchelstown maintained their unbeaten run with a 16-0 away win at Scariff.

Dungarvan ended Tralee’s unbeaten record with a 20-17 victory at the West Waterford venue. Daniel Slevin, Martin Houlihan and David Hickey scored tries for Dungarvan and Hickey kicked a conversion and a penalty. Eoin O’Carroll replied with two tries for Tralee and Sean O’Sullivan added a try and a conversion.