Junior Rugby Round Up

Clonmel lost their unbeaten record as the race for the Munster Junior League title hots up with just three round of games remaining.

Tries from Dylan Cadogan and Greg O’Carroll along with a conversion and a penalty by Darren Cass gave Clonmel a 15-0 lead after ten minutes in their home tie with Kilfeacle. Tries by Jack McLoughlin and Darren Lowry both converted by Brodie Flannery saw Kilfeacle close the gap to a point. A second Cadogan try made it 20-14 but a try from Philip O’Connor converted by Flannery saw Kilfeacle take the spoils 21-20.

Newcastle West in second place four points behind the leaders had to battle for a 27-21 bonus point home win against Crosshaven. Tries from Gerald Griffin, Sean Murphy and James Kelly along with two conversions by Sean Herlihy gave Newcastle West a 19-0 interval lead. Crosshaven rallied and tries by Ian Smith, Darren O’Keeffe and Oisin Conway all converted by Cian McGovern put Crosshaven 21-19 ahead with ten minutes remaining. A Herlihy penalty and a Damian Kelly try kept Newcastle West’s title aspirations on track.

Bandon in third place five points behind the leaders maintained their challenge of retaining their titles with a 45-16 win over Kanturk at Irish Independent Park. Jerry Crowley, Santiago Gonzalez, Cian Buttimer, Enda Phelan and Brosnan Waaka scored tries for Bandon who were also awarded a penalty try. Crowley kicked five conversions and a penalty. Eoin O’Sullivan replied with a try for Kanturk and Conor Cremin converted and also added three penalties.

Another shock was at Ballinakill where Waterpark ended Richmond’s title hopes with a 39-24 victory. Paddy Kiersey scored two tries for Waterpark and Roy Hannon, Kevin Phelan and Eoin O’Connor got one each Glen Kavanagh kicked four conversions and two penalties. Two tries from Sean Considine and a Brian Mullins conversion gave Richmond a 12-10 half time lead. Jack O’Hanlon added a third try for the visitors and they were also awarded a penalty try.

Skibbereen kept their outside hopes of qualifying for the All Ireland Junior Cup alive with a 24-19 away win at St. Senan’s. Kieran Shannon, Donnie Collins, Greg O’Mahony and Mike Limerick scored tries for Skibb’ and Matthew Bushe kicked two conversions. Senan’s replied with two tries from Warren Kelly and one by Fernando Gallant. Craig Airey added two conversions.

Abbeyfeale defeated Galbally 33-22. Philip O’Connor scored three tries for the winners and Tim Tobin and Derry O’Connor got one apiece. Derry O’Connor kicked four conversions. Galbally replied with tries from Jack Donovan and Liam Casey and they were also awarded a penalty try. John Kearns kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Clanwilliam eased their relegation worries with a 27-10 bonus point home win over bottom side St. Mary’s. Gavin Downey, Darragh Burke, Dave McCormack and Mark Costigan all scored tries for Clanwilliam. Brian Kissane kicked a penalty and a conversion and Burke also added a conversion for the winners.

All the top three sides in Division Two won but none of them managed a bonus point win.

Leaders Mallow defeated Castleisland 19-3 at the Kerry venue. Jimmy Glynn scored two tries for the winners and Mike O’Flynn got one with David Breen adding two conversions. Brian Leonard kicked a penalty for the home side.

Clonakilty had to battle hard for a 30-18 home win against Cobh Pirates. Ger McCarthy, Damien Kozik and Josh Wilcox scored tries for Clon’ and Eoghan Deasy converted all three and also added three penalties. Martin Clifford replied with two tries for Cobh and Mark Chandler kicked two penalties and a conversion.

A first half try from Rob Armstrong converted by Barry McGrory was enough to earn Kinsale a 7-3 away win at Fermoy. Dylan Lacey kicked a second half penalty for Fermoy.

Charleville moved into fourth place after their 31-14 home win over Waterford City. Willie O’Sullivan, Jake Madigan and Ger Sheehan scored tries for Charleville and they were also awarded a penalty try. Jesse Smith converted all four tries and also added a penalty. Tom Bowes and Cian Foskin replied with tries for Waterford and Darren Walsh added one conversion.

Fethard continued their good run with an 11-7 away win at Thurles. Garry Kavanagh scored a try for Fethard and Josef O’Connor kicked two penalties. Thurles were awarded a penalty try which was enough to move them out of the relegation Zone.

Ballincollig defeated Muskerry 18-12 with tries from Davy Power and Ian O’Malley. Charlie Boland kicked a penalty and a conversion and Tony Keating also added a penalty. Jonathan Buckley replied with four penalties for Muskerry.

Old Christians defeated Youghal 27-7 with tries from Niall McCarthy, Alan O’Connell and Chris Hartnett. Ryan O’Connell converted all three tries and added two penalties. Gavin Dower scored a try for Youghal which Keith McCarthy converted.

Tralee are on the verge of promotion from Division Three after their 38-20 away win at Ennis. Jeff Foley and Eoin O’Carroll each scored two tries for Tralee and Mark Moloney and Gavin Peevers also scored tries. Jack Quilter kicked four conversions. Cian Guilfoyle, Adam Ryan and Stephen Dolan replied with tries for Ennis and Ronan O’Halloran kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Mitchelstown are now the only side that can catch Tralee after they came out on top in a thriller at Ballydavid where they defeated Chorca Dhuibhne 42-38 in a twelve try feast with each side scoring six tries. Mitchelstown were cruising to victory leading 35-5 at one stage but a great rally by the Kerry Gaeltacht side nearly produced a shock result. Jack Norris and Fionn Herlihy each scored two tries for Mitchelstown and Evan Dunne and David Sheehan got one each. Tom O’Callaghan and Pa Molloy each kicked three conversions. Micheal Breathnach scored two tries for the home side and Brian Murphy, Fergal Cooney, Billy O’Connor and Shane Garvey also scored tries. Seamus Moriarty kicked four conversions.

Dungarvan moved into third place after their 27-10 away win against Douglas-Carrigaline. Daniel Slevin scored two tries for the winners and Oran Keevers and Lar Houlihan got one each. David Hickey kicked two conversions and a penalty. Robert O’Donovan scored a try for Douglas-Carrigaline and Podge McSweeney converted and added a penalty.

Killarney kept their promotion hopes alive with a 15-12 home win over Scariff. Brian Foley and Oisin O’Shea scored tries for Killarney and O’Shea added a conversion and a penalty. Martin Glynn and Henry Purcell replied with tries for Scariff and Jason Monahan converted one.

Killorglin moved into the play off places after their 32-27 away win at Bantry Bay. Neil O’Shea, Kevin Courtney, Luke O’Shea and Fionn O’Sullivan scored tries for Killorglin. Luke O’Shea kicked three conversions, drop goal and a penalty. Bantry replied with tries from Pronsais Cronin, James McGlinchey, Andre Polivka and Dara Twomey. Jason Wycherly kicked two conversions and a penalty.