Junior Rugby Round Up

Thurles caused the major shock in the second round of games played in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup

A last minute try from Nicky Irwin which he also converted gave Thurles a surprising 17-16 win over U.L. Bohemian at Annacotty. Eoghan O’Dwyer was Thurles other try scorer and Irwin converted that try and also added a penalty. Eamon Lane replied with a try for UL Bohes and Mike Mullaney converted and added three penalties.

Thurles will now face Fermoy next week in the third round after the North Cork side defeated Tralee 15-13 with a dramatic late winner. Tom Murphy scored two tries for the winners and Eddie O’Connell kicked a conversion and a penalty. Kevin O’Shea replied with a try for Tralee and Joe O’Connor converted and added two penalties.

Old Christians needed a try in extra time from Chris Hartnett which John Marnell converted to give them a 24-17 away win at Nenagh Ormond. Cian Smith and Chris O’Donnell were their other try scorers and Marnell converted both and also added a penalty.

Christians will now face Ballincollig next week in the third round after Ballincollig recorded a 33-10 away win at Waterford City. Shane Kavanagh, Sam Kiely, Humphrey O’Mahony, Fionnan McDermot and Kieran O’Driscoll were the winners try scorers with Charlie Boland kicking four conversions.

Kinsale will face a mouth-watering clash next Sunday when they entertain Young Munster following their 38-18 home win over Fethard. David Kingston scored two tries for Kinsale and Joe Moriarty, Dan Horgan, Fergus Gimblett and Rob Armstrong got one each. Sean Kingston converted four of the tries. Conor Kavanagh and Josef O’Connor replied with tries for Fethard and O’Connor converted both and also added a penalty.

Killorglin looked like they were going to cause a major upset when they led Kanturk 22-3 after thirty five minutes but the Duhallow side regrouped and won 27-22 after an exciting contest. Conor Cremin, Matt Daly and Kieran Sexton were Kanturk’s try scorers and Paul O’Keeffe converted all three tries and added two penalties.

Kanturk will host Cashel next week after the Tipperary side had to battle hard for an 8-3 win away to Mitchelstown. Paul Hayes scored a try for Cashel and Frank Kelleher kicked a penalty. Pat McGee was Mitchelstown’s scorer with a penalty.

Two late tries from David O’Callaghan and Cian Guilfoyle secured Ennis a dramatic 20-15 away over neighbours Scariff. Tries from Guilfoyle and Ronan O’Halloran gave Ennis a 10-3 lead at half time with Jack Monaghan replying with a penalty for the home side. Second half tries from Henry Purcell and David Moloney and a conversion by Monaghan put Scariff into a 15-10 lead entering the final minutes.

Ennis will now be away to Charleville in the next round.

Muskerry saw off the challenge of St Mary’s 23-13. They led 10-3 at half time and had tries from Paul O’Rourke and Cormac Dennehy. Robert Cahill converted both and also kicked three penalties. Mary’s replied with tries from Mark Gaule and Adam Kiely with Jazz Pendejito kicking a penalty.

Muskerry’s reward is a home against the Cup holders Highfield at Ballyanly next Sunday.

Old Crescent proved too strong for Bantry Bay at Rosbrien winning 52-8. The west Cork side were 8-7 ahead after twenty minutes with Sean Downey scoring their try and Danny Hutchinson kicking a penalty but the greater experience of the Limerick side told at the finish. Ronan McKenna was Crescent’s top scorer with two tries and six conversions. Ciaran Heagney (2), Eoin Murphy, Gary Fitzgerald, Ciaran Cusack and Ronan Reynolds were Crescent’s other try scorers.

Crescent will now entertain Galbally in next week’s third round tie.

Bruff saw off the challenge of Dungarvan at Kilballyowen Park with a 24-17 victory. Dylan O’Leary, Ger Dunworth, Adam O’Dwyer and Tom Quigley scored tries for Bruff and O’Dwyer kicked two conversions. Dave Hickey replied with a try, conversion and a penalty for Dungarvan and they were also awarded a penalty try.

Cobh Pirates advanced to the semi-final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl with a 33-15 home win against Dunmanway. Stewart Lynch, Stephen Hickey, Ian Jones and Kevin Murphy were try scorers for Cobh and they were also awarded a penalty try. Jones kicked two conversions as did Adam Devlin.

Cobh will host Youghal in one semi-final and Clonmel who defeated Douglas-Carrigaline 24-5 will entertain Killarney in the other tie.

Ross McDwyer scored two tries for Clonmel and James Kehoe got one. Dean Slattery converted all three tries and also kicked a penalty. Mark Healy replied with a try for the home side.

Abbeyfeale have moved up to fifth place in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League after their 34-25 home win over Clanwilliam. Dan Leahy, Jack Quirke and John Murphy scored tries for Abbeyfeale who were also awarded a penalty try. Derry O’Connor converted three of the tries and also kicked two penalties. Clanwilliam replied with tries from Niall Leahy, Darragh Burke, Jack O’Dwyer and Bryan O’Rahelly. Leahy kicked a penalty and Jack Ryan added a conversion.

Galbally eased their relegation worries with a 25-5 win over Crosshaven at Irish Independent Park. Frank Cussen scored a try for Galbally and John Kearns converted and added six penalties. Anthony Sheehan replied with a try for Crosshaven.