Provincial Rugby Poundup

With just one round of games to go in Section A of the Munster Junior League, Richmond are confirmed as champions and will be Munster’s representatives in next month’s All Ireland Round Robin series, while the battle to avoid playing in the Second Division next season sees six sides still battling for points.

Richmond were crowned champions for the fifth time after their last-minute converted try at Liam Fitzgerald Park last Friday night saw them defeat Thomond 32-26, but the losing bonus point proved enough to keep Thomond in the top flight next season.

Keelan Stephenson gave Richmond an early lead with a try, but three penalties from Adam Guerin to two by Tadhg Bennett had Richmond leading 11-9 entering the final stages of the opening half.  Jeff McNamara extended Richmond’s advantage with a try, which Bennett converted, but Jack Cosgrove replied with a try for Thomond and Guerin converted for an 18-16 halftime lead for the visitors.

Jordan Dillon extended Richmond’s lead with a try and Bennett converted. Dean McGinn replied with a try for Thomond and Guerin’s conversion followed up by a penalty put Thomond in front 26-25. James Reeves try converted by Bennett ensured Richmond their thirteenth victory of the campaign.

Defending champions Newcastle West lost at home to Clanwilliam 34-26. Ben Downey, Niall Sharpe, Jack Quinlan, Matt Kavanagh and Michael Sharpe scored tries for Clanwilliam and Niall Leahy kicked three conversions and two penalties. The home side replied with two tries from Sean Murphy and one each by Jason Woulfe and Alex O’Halloran, with O’Halloran converting three of the tries.

Newcastle West, Kilfeacle, and Bandon all qualified for the All-Ireland Junior Cup next season.

Crosshaven’s 32-24 bonus point home win against Kilfeacle was not enough to see them playing in Division 1 next season. Jack O’Connell, Mikey Collins, Graham Smith, and Adam Kent scored tries for Crosshaven. O’Connell kicked three conversions and two penalties. Gavin Heuston, Ben White, Cormac Ryan replied with tries for Kilfeacle, who were also awarded a penalty try. Timmy Clarke kicked one conversion.

Bandon made sure of a top-four finish with a 20-19 away win at Mallow. Gearoid O’Leary and Ben Ridgeway scored tries for Bandon with Ridgeway converting both tries and also adding two penalties. Mallow had tries from Sean Hayes and Sam Glynn, as well as a penalty try. Glynn kicked one conversion.

Muskerry ensured their place in the top flight next season after a 27-21 home win over Skibbereen. Lewis Grice scored two tries for Muskerry, Frank Horgan, and Brian McCarthy got one each. Rob Cahill kicked two conversions and Ciaran O’Connor kicked a penalty. Adam Sheehan, Rory Byrne, and Jonathan Benn replied with tries for Skibb’. David Shannon converted all three.

Clonakilty condemned Old Christians to the Second Division next season with a 22-14 home win. Cathal O’Regan, Sean Hudson, and Rory Fletcher scored tries for Clon’, and Eoin Downey kicked two conversions and a penalty. Cian Smith and Tim Hegarty replied with tries for Old Christians, and John Marnell converted both.

Waterpark eased their relegation worries with a 71-28 home win over bottom side Abbeyfeale. Willie Walsh contributed three tries and eight conversions. Dermot Lannen, Ryan Jackson, Rory Hannon, Mark Breen, Stephen Breen, Conor Horan, and Harry Jephson (2) were Waterpark’s other try scorers. Jacques Van Wyngaardt replied with two tries for Abbeyfeale, and Sean Kilbridge converted both. Abbeyfeale were also awarded two penalty tries.

St Mary’s kept their hopes of staying in the top flight alive with a 23-14 away win at Thurles. Keith McManus scored two tries for the Saints, and Paul Loughran converted both and added three penalties. Ciaran Ryan and Eoghan O’Dwyer replied with tries for Thurles, and Conor O’Hagan converted both.

In Section B, Galbally-Mitchelstown have qualified for the playoffs for Division 1 with a 34-8 home win over Dungarvan. Padraig Finnan, John Kearns, Brendan Childs, Owen Burke and Frank Cussen scored tries for the winners. Kearns kicked three conversions and a penalty. Seamus Keating replied with a try for Dungarvan, and David Hickey kicked a penalty.

Cobh Pirates lost at home to Youghal 13-8. Aaron Creamer and John Quill scored tries for Youghal, and Jonathan Ormond kicked a penalty. Rory Pearce replied with a try and a penalty for the Pirates.

Waterford City booked their place in the semi-final of the Martin O’Sullivan Cup against Castleisland, after their 30-15 win over Scariff at Clanwilliam Park. Cian Foskin, Ethan Sullivan (2), Aidan Quill, and Derry Collins were Waterford’s try scorers. Mikey O’Conor kicked a conversion and a penalty. Declan Noonan and Henry Purcell replied with tries for Scariff. Jason Monaghan added a conversion and a penalty.

Cashel needed extra time to beat Fethard 39-34 in the quarter-final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate. Sean O’Connell scored two tries for Cashel, and Brendan Crosse, John Ed O’Connor, Michael McCormack, Jack O’Rourke, and Harry Fitzgerald got one each. Dan O’Neill contributed two conversions. Jack Kealy, Robert Wall, Conor Pearson, and Peter Wall replied with tries for Fethard. Josef O’Connor kicked four conversions and two penalties.

St. Senan’s booked their place in the last four with a 32-19 home win over Dolphin. Brian Collins, Declan Collins, Aidan McMahon, and Niall Mallon scored tries for Senan’s. Declan Rowe kicked three conversions and two penalties. Ion Iriarte, Conor Ellis, and Evan Chester replied with tries for Dolphin.