Junior Rugby Round Up

Crosshaven and Kilfeacle advanced to the semi-finals of the All Ireland Junior Cup with Junior Club Cup action also taking place.

Crosshaven the only Munster side to have lifted the All Ireland Junior Cup back in 2011 made their second successive visit north this season and defeated Ballyclare 21-10.

Crosshaven got off to a great start when Sean Grey went in for an early try. Ballyclare responded with a penalty which Cian McGovern cancelled out but a converted try left the home side 10-8 ahead at half time.

Crosshaven took over in the second half with two penalties from McGovern putting them 14-10 in front. A try from Darren O’Keeffe converted by McGovern ensured the Seasiders their place in the last four.

Kilfeacle overcame the challenge of Kilkenny at Morrissey Park with a 26-18 win. Tries from Kieran Burke and John Burke together with a penalty from Willie Staunton had Kilfeacle 13-6 ahead at half time.

A try by James Hogan, a conversion, penalty and drop goal by Staunton pushed the lead out to 26-6. Kilkenny scored two late tries with time almost up.

The semi-final draws resulted in Crosshaven at home to Dromore while Kilfeacle will host Ashbourne, champions for the last three seasons. These two sides met in the final two years ago which the Meath side won 18-9. Ties to be played Saturday 14th December.

Charleville defeated Tralee at the Kerry venue 32-0 a result that keeps the north Cork side’s Division Two promotion hopes alive.

A try from Tom Hanley and a Jess Smith penalty gave Charleville an 8-0 interval lead. Jack Buckley, PJ O’Connor, Tom Foley and Hanley added tries after the break with Smith converting two.
Of the eleven Junior club cup games scheduled only five were played due to clubs giving walk overs.

In the Junior Clubs Challenge Cup a late comeback by Newcastle West saw them defeat the holders Richmond 32-18 at the Canal Bank.

Trailing 18-3 early in the second half tries from Brian O’Sullivan, Cian Mulcahy, Sean Murphy, Sean Ivess and Sean Neville saw the visitors advance. Sean Herlihy kicked a penalty and a conversion and Neville also added a conversion. Shane Halpin scored two first half trys for Richmond who led 10-3 at half time. Sean Considine kicked a penalty and Stephen Collins scored a third try before Newcastle West rallied to book a semi-final place at home to either Clanwilliam or Crosshaven.

Abbeyfeale defeated Mallow 13-6 to book a home semi-final against either Bandon or Kilfeacle. Jake Quirke scored a try for Abbeyfeale and Derry O’Connor converted and he also added two penalties. Jimmy Glynn replied with two penalties for Mallow.

Only one of the four Junior Clubs Challenge Shield quarter-final games went ahead and it ended in a surprising 24-7 home win for Kinsale over Old Christians. Fergus Gimblett scored two tries for the winners and David Kingston and Rob Armstrong got one each with Sean Kingston kicking two conversions. Aidan Ware was Old Christians try scorer and John Marnell converted.

In the Martin O’Sullivan Cup, Killorglin defeated Youghal 41-7. Shane O’Neill, Seamus Doyle and Timmy Lynch each scored two tries for the Kerry side. Luke O’Shea converted four of the tries and also added a drop goal. Jonathan Ormonde replied with a try and conversion for the home side.

Holders Killarney advanced with a 21-17 away win at Scariff to book their semi-final place. Colin Bugler and Todd Kelsey scored tries for Scariff and Jason Monaghan converted both and also kicked a penalty.

Read the All Ireland League Round-Up and view the weekend’s results.