Bank Of Ireland Junior Rugby Round Up

It was a busy weekend of Cup and League action with the main action been the quarter finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup and the final games affecting relegation from Division 2 and promotion from Division 3 of the Munster Junior League.

Four teams from the South of the Province have qualified for the semi-finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup.

What a weekend for the Highfield club following their seniors being promoted to Division 1B of the All Ireland League on Saturday, their Second XV qualified for the semi-finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup with a 31-27 win in a thrilling tie against Young Munster and their Thirds reached the semi-finals of the South Munster Junior 2 Cup.

At Tom Clifford Park Highfield led Young Munster 26-15 at half time and had to withstand a late Young Munster come back before advancing. Killian Buckley, Kieran Duggan, Cian O’Sullivan, Colin Lougheed and Colin O’Neill all scored tries for Highfield and Paul Downes kicked three conversions.

Holders Cork Constitution saw off the challenge of a spirited Newcastle West side at the west Limerick venue 34-24. In a closely fought first half Joe Harrington and Billy Crowley scored tries for the holders and Niall Finn converted both and also added a penalty to give Con’ a 17-10 half time lead. Michael Bourke scored a try for the home side and Sean Herlihy converted and added a penalty.

Further tries by Barry Galvin and Cathal O’Flaherty both converted by Finn and a penalty extended their lead to 34-10 before a late rally saw Bourke and Brian O’Sullivan score tries for the home side and Herlihy converted both.

Cashel defeated U.C.C. 27-17 at the Spafield. Aidan O’Connor, Josh Pickering, Ryan O’Donnell and Aidan Butler scored tries for Cashel and O’Donnell kicked two conversions and a penalty. Richard Thompson, Darragh Dennehy and Colin Sisk replied with tries for College and Eoin Monaghan converted one of the tries.

A late comeback saw Clonmel come 11-3 down to beat Kilfeacle 20-11. Kilfeacle raced into an early lead with a try from Cian Ryan and two penalties from Brodie Flannery but it could have been a bigger lead if Flannery had been successful with other penalty attempts.

Two tries from Luke Hogan and one by Neville Melbourne and a conversion and a penalty from Dylan Cadogan saw the newly crowned Junior League champions advance.

Old Crescent and Tralee will contest the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate Final. Old Crescent defeated Midleton at the Towns Park 21-18. Paul Collins contributed a try, three penalties and a conversion of Crescent’s tally and Ken Savage also scored a try. Josh Deady and Julian Power scored tries for Midleton and Rob Williams converted both and also added a penalty.

Tralee defeated Waterford City 27-12. Eoin O’Neill and Eoin O’Carroll each scored two tries for Tralee and Shane O’Sullivan got one. Ben O’Neill kicked one conversion. Cian Foskin replied with a try for Waterford City and they were also awarded a penalty try.

Richmond defeated Clanwilliam 21-17 in their final Junior League game in Division One to ensure their place in next season’s All Ireland League. Shane Halpin and Sean Considine scored tries for Richmond and Brian Mullins kicked a conversion, penalty and a drop goal and Darragh Clancy added a penalty. Jack Quinlan and Ben Downey scored tries for Clanwilliam and Darragh Burke added two conversions and a penalty.

Old Christians who were deducted five points for breach of rules produced a magnificent performance to beat Thurles 37-5 and avoid relegation from Division two. Chris O’Donnell, Sean Lynch, Alan O’Dea, Craig O’Connell and Jack O’Connell scored tries for Christians and Ryan O’Connell kicked four conversions and a penalty. Peter Gavin replied with a try for Thurles.

Ballincollig defeated Fermoy 36-24 to avoid relegation also. Cathal Owens scored three tries and Charlie Boland and Podge Flynn one apiece for Ballincollig. Boland converted two of the tries and they were also awarded a penalty try. Fermoy replied with a penalty try and tries from Dan O’Brien, John McCarthy and Vince O’Regan. Dylan Lacey kicked one conversion.

A penalty from Connie Reynolds was enough to give Castleisland a 3-0 away win at Cobh Pirates and ensured their survival in Division 2.

Dungarvan defeated Killarney 51-10 in the Division 3 Promotion play off. Seamus Keating and Alan McMahon each scored two tries for the winners and Doug Petit, Shane Norris, Daniel Slevin and David Hickey got one each. Hickey converted four of the tries and also added a penalty. Peter Kelly and Paul O’Sullivan replied with tries for Killarney.

Bandon and Mallow will contest the Cork County Final.

Bandon defeated Clonakilty 31-20 with tries from Matt Crowley, Bronson Waaka, Kerry Desmond and Ciaran Roberts. Ben Ridgeway converted all four and also added a penalty. Ruslan Dorogan and Cathal O’Regan replied with tries for Clon’ and Eoghan Deasy converted both and added two penalties.

Mallow defeated Skibbereen 33-11 in the other semi-final. David Breen, David Walsh, Owen Glynn and Peter Cosgrove scored tries for Mallow and Jimmy Glynn converted all four and also added two penalties. Matthew Bushe replied with a try and two penalties for Skibbereen.

Charleville defeated Muskerry 16-7 to book their place in the final of the O’Neill Cup against Kinsale. Jake Madigan scored two tries for Charleville and Jessie Smith kicked two penalties.

Highfield booked their place in the final of the Junior 2 South Cup with a 27-7 away win at Mallow. Mick Milne, Alan Stack, Ritchie Basteed and Mark O’Driscoll scored tries for Highfield and Dave Eustace kicked two conversions and a penalty.