Junior Rugby Roundup

After three series of games in the Munster Junior League, gaps are beginning to emerge at the top and bottom of all three sections.

In Section A; Newcastle West and Skibbereen lead the way with Richmond just a point behind, with Crosshaven next four points behind.

Skibbereen continued their good start to the campaign with a 16-6 home win against Clanwilliam. David Jennings scored the game’s only try and David Shannon added a conversion and three penalties. Clanwilliam replied with two pen penalties from Niall Leahy.

Holders Newcastle West recorded a bonus point  31-9 home win over Old Christians. Evan Donovan scored two tries for the winners and Michael Burke, Alex O’Halloran, and Alan O’Riordan got one each, with Shane Airey kicking three penalties. Conor Dolan replied with three penalties for Old Christians.

Tries from Jack O’Hanlon and Tadhg Bennett, along with a Bennett conversion saw Richmond come from 14-3 down at halftime, to defeat Thurles 15-14. Tries from Luke Kelly and Sam Quinlan, both converted by Paddy McGrath gave the home side the advantage in the opening half. Brian Mullins kicked a penalty for the Limerick side.

Crosshaven moved up to fourth place with a 29-3 bonus point win at home to Clonakilty. Eoin Downey kicked a penalty for Clonakilty.

Bandon got back to winning ways with a 25-17 away win at Muskerry. Jerry Crowley scored Bandon’s try and Ben Ridgeway kicked a conversion and six penalties. Muskerry replied with tries from Dave Kelly and Lewis Grice with Rob Cahill converting both and also adding a penalty.

A last-minute try from Cillian Noonan saw Kilfeacle defeat Waterpark 17-11 at Ballinakill. Darren Lowry scored Kilfeacle’s opening try and Luke Heuston converted both and also added a penalty. Harry Jepson scored a try for Waterpark and Willie Walsh kicked two penalties.

Thomond lost for the second week in a row, losing 26-5 at home to Thomond. Yasushi Katsuta, Stephen Hayes, and Steven Finn scored tries for Mallow. Dave Cogan added a conversion and three penalties. Ryain Ahern replied with a try for Thomond.

A Keith McManus try, and two Penalties from Jazz Pendejito earned St. Mary’s an 11-0 away win at Abbeyfeale.

In Section B; the meeting of the top two sides  saw Fethard defeat St. Senan’s 27-3, with tries from Robert Wall, David Morgan, and Conor Kavanagh. Josef O’Connor converted all three tries and added two penalties. Craig Riordan kicked a penalty for the visitors.

Scariff defeated Carrick-on-Suir 29-28 in a high scoring game. Cian Foley, Jack Devaney, David Slevin, Liam Marmion and Henry Purcel scored tries for Scariff, and Conor Bourke added two conversions. Ryan O’Donoghue  (2), Jack Boylan and Jack O’Connell replied with tries for Carrick’, and all four tries were converted by Fionn Barry.

Tries from Kevin Murphy and Cian Ahern earned Cobh Pirates a 17-6 home win against Dungarvan. Rory Pearce converted both tries and also added a penalty. Michael Heyes replied with two penalties for the visitors.

Conal Doyle was Youghal’s hero as he scored a try, conversion and two penalties in his side’s 18-15 home win against Ennis. The Clare side replied with tries from Dylan Kenny and Cormac Browne, with Kenny adding a conversion and a penalty.

Charleville, Kinsale, and Tralee are the only sides in Section C, with maximum points.

Kinsale travelled to Killorglin and emerged with a 26-22 victory. Tom Keogh, Kieran Keogh, Calum Fennell and Mark O’Connell scored tries for Kinsale, with Dylan Lacey kicking three conversions. Cian Corcoran, Cormac Doyle and Shane O’Neill replied with tries for Killorglin. Luke O’Shea kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Tralee defeated Douglas 26-10 at Castletreasure. Mikey Lyne scored 2 tries for Tralee, Niall Shaughnessy one, and they were also awarded a penalty try. Seamus Lyne added two conversions. Daren Cremin replied with a try for Douglas and Padraig McSweeney converted and also added a penalty.

Charleville defeated Killarney 29-14.

A first-half try by Brian O’Sullivan converted by Stephen McAuliffe earned Kanturk a 7-3 away win at Castleisland. Joe Sheehy kicked a penalty for the home side.

Ballincollig collected maximum points from their trip to Bantry Bay, winning 33-0. Charlie Boland, Darragh O’Shea (2), Cian Kilkenny, and Robbie McSweeney scored tries for Ballincollig, with Liam McGarry kicking four conversions.

In the Women’s League U.L. Bohemian defeated Kerry 35-32 in Conference A, Ennis-Kilrush had a 12-10 away win in Conference B and Bantry Bay defeated Mallow 35-5 in Conference C.