Junior Rugby Round Up

The second round of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup with completed this weekend with no outstanding shocks but there were some exciting games as Abbeyfeale caused an upset in the Transfield Cup Final.

Mallow continued their good run with a 6-5 home win over Old Crescent at the North Cork venue. Dave Breen opened the scoring with a penalty for Mallow but a try by Nahuel Devola had Crescent 5-3 ahead at the interval. A second Breen penalty was enough to send Mallow through and a visit to Muskerry next week.

Muskerry booked their Third Round spot with a resounding 35-0 away win at Killarney. Cormac Dennehy scored two tries for the winners and Jonathan Buckley, Mark Jones and Joe Treacy got one each. Buckley kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Old Christians needed extra time to see off the challenge of Fermoy 18-13. A try by Sean Lynch in extra time was enough to earn Christians a home tie against Shannon next week. Cian Smith was their other try scorer and Ryan O’Connell kicked two penalties and a conversion. James O’Driscoll replied with a try for Fermoy and Dylan Lacey converted and added three penalties.

Kinsale edged out Fethard 31-24 at the Tipperary venue to setup a home tie next week against the holders Cork Constitution. Fergus Gimblett scored two tries for Kinsale and John Gallagher and Rob Armstrong got one each. Barry McGrory converted all four tries and also added a penalty. Gary Kavanagh scored three tries and two conversions for Fethard and Shane Kavanagh also scored a try.

Thomond defeated Waterford City 29-22 in a thrilling game at Liam Fitzgerald Park. Thomond led 13-10 at half time and had tries from Cian Hinchy and Gary Bateman. Alan Wallace kicked six penalties and a conversion. Adam Guerin also added a conversion. Dean Walsh replied with two tries for Waterford City and Darren Walsh scored a try, penalty and two conversions.

Highfield edged out Charleville 33-20 in a thrilling tie at Woodleigh Park with the lead changing hands on several occasions.

Paul Downes contributed two tries and four conversions to Highfield’s tally. Kieran Duggan, George French and Derek Houlihan all crossed the try line. Charleville were awarded a penalty try and also had a try from Ger Sheehan. Jesse Smith kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Cashel had a deserving 40-13 away win at Bruff. Cormac O’Donnell scored two tries for Cashel and John Ed O’Connor, Michael Kelly, Michael O’Dwyer and Jack Kelleher got one each. Eamonn Connolly kicked five conversions. Liam Barrett and Shay Dunworth replied with tries for Bruff and Tadgh Leddin kicked a penalty.

Cashel’s reward is a home tie against U.L. Bohemian next weekend after the Limerick side defeated Midleton 22-12 at the Towns Park. Seosamh MacDhonnagha scored two tries for the visitors and Aaron Hennessy got one. Hugh Corkery kicked a penalty and two conversions. Midleton replied with tries from Darragh O’Keeffe and Gearoid Collins and a Julian Power conversion.

Ballincollig defeated Tralee 25-22 to setup a home tie against Clanwilliam next week. Fionnan McDermott and Vincent Browne scored tries for Ballincollig who were also awarded a penalty try. Tony Keating kicked two penalties and a conversion. Eoin O’Carroll and Ben O’Neill scored tries for Tralee, O’Neill and Jack Quilter each kicked two penalties.

Castleisland setup a local derby with Abbeyfeale next week after their 32-5 home win over Nenagh Ormond. Kieran Downey, Connie Reynolds, Jack Griffin and Shane Flynn scored tries for Castleisland. Brian Leonard kicked three conversions and two penalties. Gerard O’Gorman was Nenagh’s try scorer.

Clonakilty, Dolphin and Sunday’s Well all received walk overs from Thurles, Cobh Pirates and Youghal respectively.
Douglas-Carrigaline booked their place in the Munster Junior Bowl semi-final with a 12-8 home win over Bantry Bay to setup a visit to Dunmanway next week. Padraig McSweeney kicked four penalties for the winners. Ian Hurley replied with a try for Bantry Bay and Sean O’Shea kicked a penalty.

Ennis will entertain Killorglin in the other semi-final after their 13-6 home win over Dungarvan. Ronan O’Halloran and Shane O’Grady scored tries for Ennis and O’Halloran added a penalty. Dave Hickey replied with two penalties for Dungarvan.

Abbeyfeale won the Transfield Cup for the first time when they defeated the holders and neighbours Newcastle West 21-19. The winners who led 14-7 at half time had tries from Brian Collins and Derry O’Connor with O’Connor converting both. They were also awarded a penalty try. Sean Murphy scored two tries for Newcastle West and Brian O’Sullivan scored one. Sean Herlihy converted two of the tries.