Junior Rugby Round Up

Five of the six semi-finals in the three Munster Junior Clubs Cup competitions were played over the weekend as well as some outstanding league games.

Bandon and Richmond will contest the 30^th Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup final. Richmond have won the trophy in 2012 and 2016 with Bandon’s only success being back in 2001.

Bandon put in a great second half finish at Kilfeacle to run out deserving winners 36-10.

A try from James Hogan converted by Brodie Flannery gave Kilfeacle a 7-0 lead. A try from full back Bronson Waaka and a Kerry Desmond penalty gave Bandon an 8-7 interval lead. A Kerry Desmond try and conversion extended Bandon’s lead to 15-10, Flannery kicking a penalty for the home side. Entering the final fifteen minutes tries from Waaka, Desmond and Gearoid Crowley all converted by Desmond ensured the Bandon’s place in the final.

In the other semi-final Richmond defeated Newcastle West 20-10 at Richmond Park. In a closely fought opening half a try from Sean Bennett on twenty nine minutes gave Richmond a 5-0 half time lead. Tries from Jeff McNamara and Bennett with a conversion by Brian Mullins extended Richmond’s lead to 17-0 by the 46^th minute. Dave Foley opened Newcastle West’s account with a try minutes later. Richmond responded with a Mullins penalty before Sean Ivess scored a late try for the visitors.

Cobh Pirates booked their place in the Junior Clubs Shield Final after their narrow 15-12 home win over Charleville. Martin Clifford, Calvin McKeown and Glen O’Sullivan scored tries for the Pirates while Dan Dwyer replied with two tries for Charleville and Jesse Smith kicked one conversion.

Cobh must now await the winners of the other semi-final between Clonakilty and Ballincollig.

Ballincollig booked their place in the last four with a 16-3 home win over Thurles. Two penalties from Tony Keating to one by John Lillis earned Ballincollig a 6-3 half time lead. Keating added to his side’s tally with a third penalty and a try by Vincent Browne converted by Keating saw Ballincollig advance to what will be a repeat of last year’s final which Clonakilty won.

Both Mitchelstown and Ennis gave walk overs due to a shortage of props in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup. It will be an all Kerry decider with Killorglin facing Killarney.

There was one game in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League which saw Galbally win their first game in the league with a 36-0 bonus point home victory over Waterpark. Jack O’Donovan scored two tries for Galbally and Barry O’Connor and Paudie Finnan got one each. John Kearns converted three of the tries.

This will set the alarm bells ringing for the other clubs in the danger zone as it is possible that three sides could be relegated should Thomond lose their All Ireland League status.

Mallow have increased their lead in Division Two to thirteen points after their 24-19 away win at Youghal. Ronan McCarthy, Dave Breen, Mike O’Flynn and Jimmy Glynn scored tries for Mallow and Breen added two conversions.

Douglas-Carrigaline picked up their first win of the campaign defeating Chorca Dhuibhne 32-19 at the Mahon in Division 3. Denis Kelleher, Padraig McSweeney, Dave Donoghue, Cormac O’Sullivan and Dave McSweeney were try scorers for Douglas-Carrigaline. Padraig McSweeney kicked a penalty and two conversions.