Junior Rugby Round Up

There was silverware for Tralee, Bandon and Kinsale as the Junior season draws to a close.

Clonmel’s hope of reaching the All Ireland League received a setback when they lost 46-5 away to Enniscorthy. Luke Hogan gave Clonmel a great start with a try inside the opening minute but it was one way traffic for the Leinster champions after that.

A try from Fearghal Ó’Nuallain two minutes into added time and converted by Jack Quilter gave Tralee a 22-15 victory over Old Crescent in the final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate at Newcastle West. A penalty from Paul Collins and a try from Liam Walsh gave Old Crescent an 8-3 interval lead. Quilter kicked a penalty for Tralee.

Ciaran Cusack increased Crescent’s lead with a try early in the second half but Tralee finished strongly with tries from Quilter and Eoin O’Connell and a Quilter conversion to tie the scores before Tralee’s late winner decided it.

Bandon defeated Mallow 32-24 in a thrilling Cork County Cup Final at Irish Independent Park.

Ben Ridgeway was Bandon’s hero scoring 25 points while Sean Glynn replied with three tries for Mallow.

Playing with a strong wind tries from Ben Ridgeway and Cian Buttimer both converted by Ridgeway gave Bandon an early 14-0 lead. Mallow hit back with tries from Sean Glynn and Owen Glynn and a conversion by Jimmy Glynn to trail 14-12 at half time.

Minutes into the second half Mallow took the lead with a second Sean Glynn try which Jimmy Glynn converted.

Two penalties by Ridgeway put Bandon back in front 20-19. A solo try from Ridgeway extended the west Cork side’s lead but Mallow stayed in touch with a third Sean Glynn try.

In the final minute Ridgeway again waltzed through the Mallow defence and he also converted to give them their tenth title.

Kinsale defeated Charleville 19-6 to win the O’Neill Cup for the third time and became the first winners of the new trophy that replaced the original one which was presented by the O’Neill family from Kinsale.

A try by Fergus Gimblett converted by Sean Kingston gave Kinsale a 7-3 interval lead. Jesse Smith replied with a penalty for Charleville.

Dan Cronin and Rob Armstrong added further tries for Kinsale and John Sheehan kicked a conversion. Charleville’s only reply was a second penalty from Smith.