Junior Rugby Round Up

Despite the inclement weather only six of the eighteen games scheduled did not take place as Richmond and Clonakilty closed the gap on the leaders in their respective divisions.

Clonmel’s hopes of reaching the All Ireland Junior Cup ended at the semi-final when they lost away to holders Ashbourne 25-5 as the Leinster side bid for a third successful title. It was the heavier Ashbourne pack that decided this contest.

Trys from Ciaran Roche and Mark Rooney and a conversion and a penalty by Casey Dunne gave the Meath side a 15-0 lead. Ian Cunningham got a try for Clonmel on the stroke of half time. Further tries by Jake wall and Matt Connolly ensured Ashbourne’s passage into the final.

Richmond moved to within a point of Clonmel after their 48-10 home win over Kanturk. Sean Considine scored three tries and a conversion. Jack O’Hanlon, James Reeves, Shane Halpin, Gareth O’Hanlon and Ryan Meagher each got a try. Brian Mullins kicked two conversions and Meagher one. Michael Bradley and Eoin O’Sullivan replied with tries for Kanturk.

Newcastle West and Kilfeacle also kept their title aspirations alive with away wins. Newcastle West defeated St Senan’s 30-10 with tries from Damien Kelly, James Kelly, Martin Mullane and Taliaolega Tuaau scored tries for the winners and Sean Herlihy kicked two conversions and two penalties. Brandon Cullinane replied with a try for Senan’s and Craig Airey kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Kilfeacle defeated Waterpark 40-7 at Ballinakill. Diarmuid O’Donnell, Darren Lowry, Brodie Flannery, Conor O’Sullivan, Phil O’Connor and Kevin Kinnane were try scorers for the Tipperary side and Flannery added five conversions. Rory Hannon scored a try for Waterpark and Alex Molly kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Abbeyfeale defeated Crosshaven 15-10 with tries from Kieran McCarthy and Seán Bates. Steve Daly added a conversion and a penalty. Tim Marron scored Crosshaven’s try and Cian McGovern converted and also added a penalty.

The game of the day was at Clonakilty where the home side defeated Kinsale 26-17 in an exciting contest in a top of the table clash in Division Two and they moved ahead of their opponents into second place.

Barry McGrory kicked Kinsale into an early lead with a penalty but Eoghan Deasy levelled minutes later. A try by Aaron Hayes converted by Deasy put Clon’ ahead but an Ian Coleman try converted by McGrory had Kinsale level.

A Deasy penalty and a conversion of a try by Ger McCarthy gave Clon’ a 20-10 half time lead.

Rob Armstrong scored a try and McGrory’s conversion closed the gap to three points. Two late penalties from Deasy sealed the win for the home side.

Ballincollig moved their game to the 3G pitch in Musgrave Park after the Tanner Park pitch was flooded, but it was Old Christians who came out on top 34-17. Darragh Daly scored two tries for Old Christians. Rohan Kiely, Cian Smith and Niall McCarthy added a try each. Ryan O’Connell kicked three conversions and a penalty. Conor O’Donoghue and Robbie McSweeney scored tries for Ballincollig and Charlie Boland kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Cobh Pirates had a surprise 18-16 away win over Muskerry. All the scores came in the second half Glen O’Sullivan and Ruairi Geary scored tries for the Pirates and Jack Hickey kicked two penalties and a conversion. Joe Treacy replied with a try for Muskerry and Jonathan Buckley kicked a conversion and three penalties.

Castleisland eased their relegation worries with a 16-7 home win against Waterford City. Kieran Downey scored a try for the Kerry side, Brian Leonard kicked a conversion and a penalty and Connie Reynolds also added two penalties.

In Division Three Killarney have joined Tralee at the top of the table after their 34-10 home bonus point win against Killorglin. This was the first rugby game to be played at the Barraduff Community pitch. Brendan fuller scored two tries for the winners and Mike Henderson, Peter Kelly, Paul O’Sullivan and Darragh Roche got one apiece. Paudie Sheahan kicked two conversions. Dave Hayden was Killorglin’s try scorer and Luke O’Shea converted and also added a penalty.

Ennis kept their promotion hopes alive with a 28-10 home win over Scariff in the Clare derby. Ronan O’Halloran, Colm Considine, Kealon Butler and Stephen Dolan scored tries for Ennis and Bryan Murphy kicked two penalties and a conversion. Cathal Noonan replied with a try for Scariff and Jason Monaghan converted and also added a penalty.

Douglas-Carrigaline made it back to back wins after their 12-8 win over Bantry Bay at Wilton. Cormac O’Sullivan and Eoin Harris scored tries for Douglas-Carrigaline and Padraig McSweeney added a conversion. Joe Piggott scored a try for Bantry Bay and Andre Polivka kicked a penalty.