Junior Rugby Round Up

The first ever Junior Clubs Cup Finals Day at Irish Independent Park proved a huge success with three exciting finals.

Richmond won their third Junior Clubs Challenge Cup with a 20-18 victory over Bandon in a dramatic finish.

Bandon led 15-3 at half time with a try, conversion and penalty from Ben Ridgeway and a Gearoid O’Leary try. Brian Mullins kicked a penalty for Richmond.

Richmond were a different side in the second half running at Bandon at every opportunity and were rewarded with a Keelan Stephenson try in the 48th minute.

Ridgeway kicked a penalty for Bandon to make it 18-8 at the end of the third quarter. Stephenson scored a second try on 65 minutes.

Richmond continued to have Bandon pinned back and had both Tim Cummins and Aidan Slattery yellow carded at different stages. Conceding several penalties Richmond hit the front on 86 minutes when they were awarded a penalty try.

In the last play of the game Bandon were awarded a penalty just outside of Richmond’s 22 to the left of the posts but Ridgeway’s effort went wide of the posts as the final whistle sounded.

This game also doubled up as a league game and with that defeat ended Bandon’s hopes of retaining their junior League title.

Clonakilty retained their Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Shield with an 18-7 win against Cobh Pirates.

An Eoghan Deasy penalty and a try by Mike O’Hea gave Clon’ an 8-0 but a try and conversion by Jack Hickey left it 8-7 at the break.

A Deasy penalty and a conversion of a second O’Hea try ensured victory for the west Cork side.

Killarney regained the Martin O’Sullivan Cup with a 20-14 win over near neighbours Killorglin. A Niall O’Shea try converted by Luke O’Shea put Killorglin into the lead. A Mike Sheahan try and a conversion and penalty by Oisin O’Shea gave Killarney a 10-7 half time lead. Paudie Sheahan extended Killarney’s lead with a try but a try by Kevin Courtney converted by Luke O’Shea left the minimum between the sides. Brendan fuller scored a third try for Killarney as they held on for victory.

Only three of the six scheduled Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup ties went ahead with Clonmel, Shannon and U.C.C all receiving walk overs from Galbally, Old Christians and Waterpark.

In a thrilling tie at Tom Clifford Park, Young Munster edged out Crosshaven 24-22. Luke Costelloe scored two tries for the Cookies and Luke Fitzgerald got one. Jason Kiely converted all three tries and also added a penalty. Killian O’Keeffe, Said Koya and Conor Dunlea replied with tries for Crosshaven and Cian McGovern kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Kilfeacle saw off the challenge of Garryowen at Dooradoyle with a 27-5 victory. Brodie Flannery was the star for Kilfeacle contributing a try, two conversions and two penalties. Conor O’Sullivan scored a try and they were also awarded a penalty try. Paul Clancy was Garryowen’s try scorer.

Abbeyfeale setup a mouth-watering fourth round tie with a home game against Newcastle West after their 34-10 away win at Castleisland last Friday night. Trent Reti scored two tries for the winners and Derry O’Connor and Kieran McCarthy got one each. O’Connor converted all four tries and added two penalties. Mike Cronin and Patrick O’Connor replied with tries for Castleisland.

Cork Constitution booked their quarter final place with a 31-6 win over Mallow at Temple Hill. Con’ led 12-3 at half time with tries from Joe Harrington and Harry Murphy with murphy converting his own try. Jimmy Glynn scored Mallow’s penalty and added a second early in the second half. A Jack Costigan try midway through the half made it 17-6 and late tries from Gary Bradley and Brendan Quinlan both converted by Niall Finn sealed the win for the home side.

In the two outstanding quarter-finals in the Munster Junior Plate, Fermoy and Old Crescent played out a 24-24 draw after extra time but it is the Limerick side who advanced to a semi-final meeting with Midleton on the tries rule (4 to 3). The sides were level 17-17 at full time. Sam Gleeson, Ciaran Cusack, Kevin Meade and Adam Cunningham scored tries for Crescent with Meade converting two. Pater Stapleton, Ian Pratt and Dan O’Brien scored tries for Fermoy. Eoin Lacey converted all three and also added a penalty.

Tralee defeated Charleville 20-12 to setup a home tie against Waterford City. Jack Quilter scored a try, two conversions and two penalties for Tralee and Ben O’Neill also got a try.

Jake Madigan and Damien Leahy scored tries for Charleville and Jessie Smith converted one.