Junior Rugby Roundup & Results

18th March 2018 By Leonard Allen

Bandon’s Tom Ferguson celebrates with last year

Bandon’ make it twins in arow in their defence of the Junior League title. INPHO/Tommy Dickson

The weather distrupted the weekend’s programme with only a handful of games surviving.

In Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, Bandon have taken over top spot from Richmond after their 36-12 home win over Abbeyfeale.

They now lead Richmond on games won and entering next week’s final series of games all they need is a similar or better result than Richmond to be crowned champions for the second time in the club’s history.

Bandon needed a bonus point from this encounter and had the bonus point wrapped up after thirty minutes. Olan Crowley, Gearoid Crowley, Kerry Desmond, Tim Crowley and Conall Bromwich scored first half tries for Bandon and Desmond converted two of the tries for a 29-0 half time lead.

Gearoid O’Leary added a sixth try and Desmond converted to make it 32-0. John Murphy replied with two tries for Abbeyfeale and Tom Hassett converted one.

Kilfeacle kept up their challenge with a 31-3 home win over bottom side Cobh Pirates. Kilfeacle are six points behind the leaders with a game in hand. Cormac Ryan, Charlie Walsh, Jack McLoughlin, James Ryan and Stephen Quirke scored tries for Kilfeacle. Shane Luby kicked two conversions and Jamie Heuston one. Eoin McSweeney kicked a penalty for the Pirates.

Waterpark kept their hopes of a place in next year’s All Ireland Junior Cup alive with a 50-7 away win over Clanwilliam. Conor Molloy scored two tries; Scott Hornibrook, James Kiersey, Mark Molloy and Padraig Gannon were Waterpark try scorers. They were also awarded a penalty try. Tom Kiersey kicked five conversions and a penalty. Sean Walsh replied with a try for Clanwilliam and Conor Kissane converted.

Kanturk defeated Skibbereen 32-22 in a mid-table clash. Conor O’Sullivan, Tadgh McSweeney, Raymond Alesana, Conor Cremin and Gary Piggott scored tries for Kanturk and Cremin added two conversions and a penalty. Skibb’ replied with three tries from Dave Jennings and Ger Hurley kicked two conversions and a penalty.

In Division Two, St. Mary’s moved into second place with a 14-0 win at home to Mitchelstown. They were awarded a penalty try and skipper Robin Gallagher added a try and Paul Loughran converted.

Clonakilty defeated Ballincollig 20-13 to keep their promotion hopes alive with tries from Rob Finglas, Mark Purcell and Batt Duggan. Eoin Deasy kicked a conversion and a penalty. Ger O’Sullivan replied with a try for Ballincollig John Sheehan converted and added two penalties.

The final game in Division Three saw Tralee defeat Douglas-Carrigaline 48-3 and so moved ahead of Killorglin in the table to finish in sixth place.

Jeff Foley and Micky Lyne each scored two tries for Tralee with Simon Behan, Eoin O’Carroll and Garret Walsh getting one apiece. Walsh kicked five conversions and a penalty. Alan Drumm replied with a try for the home side.

The draw for the play offs will be (a) Fethard v Chorca Dhuibhne; (b) Ennis v Bantry Bay; (c) Dungarvan v Killorglin; (d) Fermoy v Tralee.

Semi Finals: (e): a v d; (f): b v c;

Quarter-finals to be played on 25^th March with a 2pm kick off. Higher ranked team to have home advantage throughout the play-offs.

Bandon defeated Cobh Pirates 22-5 in the Junior 2 Cup to setup a semi-final meeting with Dunmanway next week. Liam Dempsey, Luke Fleming and Ross Bateman scored tries for Bandon and Fleming kicked two conversions and a drop goal. Stephen O’Neill replied with a try for Cobh.

RESULTS:

Munster Junior League Division 1: Bandon 36, Abbeyfeale 12;

Clanwilliam 7, Waterpark 50;

Kanturk 32, Skibbereen 22;

Kilfeacle 31, Cobh Pirates 3;

Division 2: Clonakilty 20, Ballincollig 13;

St. Mary’s 14, Mitchelstown 0;

Division 3: Douglas-Carrigaline 7, Tralee 48;

Munster Seconds League South: Cork Constitution 50, Highfield 7;

South Junior 2 Cup: Cobh Pirates 5, Bandon 22;

Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup Final: C.B.C. 17, Glenstal Abbey 18;

Munster Club Under 16 Plate: Newcastle West-Estuary 21, Bruff 10;