Junior Rugby Round Up

There were no major shocks in this weekend’s Junior League games as Kilfeacle go back to the top of Division 1.

The visit of first division leaders Newcastle West had to be postponed because of the late withdrawal of the referee due to exceptional circumstances. This game has been refixed for Sunday week, January 27.

Kilfeacle took full advantage to go back on top with a hard earned 19-16 home win over Galbally. Kevin Doyle and Philip O’Connor were two of Kilfeacle’s try scorers and Willie Staunton kicked two conversions. Patrick O’Donovan replied with a try for Galbally and John Kearns converted and added three penalties.

Mallow maintained their challenge with a 17-14 victory away to Clonakilty to take them within three points of the leaders. Conor O’Donovan and Owen Glynn scored tries for Mallow and Jimmy Glynn converted both and also added a penalty. Ruslan Dorogan replied with a try for Clonakilty and Eoghan Deasy kicked three penalties.

Thomond also kept their title hopes alive with a 29-14 bonus point home win against Crosshaven. Adam Kent gave Crosshaven an early lead with a try which Cian McGovern converted. Tries from Adam Guerin, Evan O’Connor and Ger Finucane plus two conversions by Guerin put Thomond into a 19-7 lead. Crosshaven were awarded a penalty try but a Luke Costelloe try and a conversion and penalty by Guerin meant Crosshaven came away empty handed.

Skibbereen put up a battling performance away to Richmond losing 23-12 with two late tries denying the west Cork side anything from this encounter. Shane Halpin, Eoin Hanley, Sean Considine and Jeff McNamara were try scorers for Richmond and Brian Mullins added a penalty. Rory Byrne and Donnie Collins scored tries for Skibb’ and Byrne added a penalty.

Waterpark battling relegation lost at home to Abbeyfeale 22-17. Colm O’Sullivan and John Browne scored a try each for Abbeyfeale and Derry O’Connor added two tries and a conversion. Alex Deegan replied with two tries for Waterpark and Alex Molloy got a try and a conversion.

Leaders Old Christians continued on their unbeaten run in Division Two with a 19-5 away win at Thurles. Craig O’Connell, Ryan O’Connell and Rob Stapleton scored tries for Christians and John Marnell kicked two conversions. Paddy McGrath scored a try for the home side.

Kanturk are two points behind the leaders after their 13-8 home win over St. Mary’s. Paul O’Keeffe kicked two penalties for the winners who were awarded a penalty try. Glen Johnson was the Saints try scorer and Jazz Pendejito kicked a penalty.

Muskerry remain in contention after their 32-3home win over Fethard. Evan Kelly, Lewis Grice (2), Joe Treacy and Dan Horgan were Muskerry’s try scorers. Robert Cahill kicked two conversions and a penalty. Willie Morgan kicked a penalty for the visitors.

Dungarvan remain in fourth place level on points with Muskerry after their 33-6 away win at Tralee. Daniel Slevin, Oran Keevers, Mikey O’Donnell, Shane Norris and Lar Houlihan scored tries for Dungarvan and Dave Hickey added four conversions. Jack Quilter replied with two penalties for the home side.

A last minute retaken conversion earned Kinsale a share of the spoils at Charleville when they played out a 10-10 draw. Jack Buckley scored a try for Charleville and Jessie Smith converted and added a penalty. Mark O’Connell was Kinsale’s try scorer and Sean Kingston kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Ballincollig eased their relegation worries with a 25-17 away win at Fermoy. Kieran O’Driscoll, Gary Hogan and Sam Kiely scored tries for Ballincollig and Charlie Boland added two conversions and two penalties. Ian Ahern, Dan O’Brien and Tom Carroll scored tries for Fermoy and Frank O’Flynn added a conversion.

Both the top two sides in Division Three had earned wins in Division Three. Leaders Killorglin defeated Chorca Dhuibhne 25-19 in the Kerry Gaeltacht. Kevin Courtney, Mike O’Shea, Tommy Moriarty and Seamus Doyle scored tries for Killorglin and Luke O’Shea added a conversion and a penalty. Billy O’Connor replied with two tries for Chorca Dhuibhne and Seamus O’Muircheartaigh contributed a try and two conversions.

Ennis were 25-23 home winners against Youghal. Colin Fitzgerald (2), Johnny Martin and Stephen Dolan scored tries for the Clare side and Ronan O’Halloran kicked a penalty and a conversion. Mike Heal replied with two tries for Youghal and Aaron Daly kicked two conversions and three penalties.

Mitchelstown moved ahead of Waterford City after their 29-22 away win on Suirside but the home side did manage to pick up two bonus points. Eoin Burke scored two tries for Mitchelstown and Josh Evans and Pa Magee got one each, with Magee adding three conversions and a penalty.

Scariff kept their challenge alive of a play-off place with a 13-3 away win at Dunmanway. A late try from Marin Glynn converted by Jason Monaghan settled it in favour of the visitors. Monaghan kicked two penalties and Darragh McCarthy replied with one for the home side.

Killarney defeated Bantry bay 32-3 to keep alive their hopes of making the play-offs. Danny Hutchinson kicked a penalty for Bantry.