Provincial Rugby Roundup

The third round of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup produced plenty of drama and excitement with one or two upsets.

The game of the day was in Bandon when a last minute try from Josh Mahony gave the home side a 13-8 win over Cork Constitution in a thrilling encounter. Scott Kingston was Bandon’s other try scorer and Ben Ridgeway kicked a penalty. The Temple Hill side replied with a try from Jack Morehead and a Tomas Quinlan penalty.

Garryowen defeated Fethard 27-14 to earn the Sky Blues a fourth round tie away to Bandon. Matthew Walsh scored a try for Fethard and Josef O’Connor kicked three penalties.

A late try from Cian Hinchy converted by Eoghan Sherlock earned Thomond a 20-13 win over Waterpark at Liam Fitzgerald Park in what was a very close contest. The sides were level 8-8 at the interval. Darragh O’Neill scored Thomond’s try and Sherlock kicked a penalty. Alex Deegan replied with a try for Waterpark and Willie Walsh kicked a penalty. Shane Kiely restored Thomond’s lead with a try only for Paddy Kiersey to tie the scores, before Hinchy’s dramatic try.

Thomond will now be away to Newcastle West in the next round, after the west Limerick side defeated Abbeyfeale 27-12, James Corbett and James Guinea scored tries for the winners and Charlie O’Doherty kicked five penalties and a conversion. Stephen Daly replied with four penalties for the home side.

Holders Highfield saw off the challenge of U.C.C. at the Mardyke on a 26-14 scoreline. Darragh Cox, Killian Buckley, Paul Downes and Gavin O’Leary scored tries for Highfield and Downes kicked three conversions. Billy Kingston and Luke Kerr replied with tries for College and both were converted by Andrew Walsh.

Highfield will now travel to Shannon in the next round after a second half penalty try earned Shannon a 15-8 win over Richmond at the Canal Bank. Conor O’Flynn scored Shannon’s opening try and Ben Sargent kicked a penalty. Richmond replied with a try from Jack Cross and a penalty from Tadgh Bennett.

Young Munster advanced to the next round with a 33-17 victory over Old Crescent at Takumi Park. Liam Shanahan scored two tries for Munster’s and Dylan Brosnan and Conor O’Shaughnessy were  also try scorers. Shane O’Brien kicked four conversions.

Clanwilliam did not have things all their own way against Bantry Bay before emerging 32-17 winners to earn them a home tie against Young Munster. Gavin Downey, Jack Quinlan, Niall Leahy and Darragh Crowe scored tries for the Tipperary side and Leahy added three conversions and two penalties. Aidan O’Sullivan, Kevin Holland and Cormac O’Connor replied with tries for Bantry and O’Connor also kicked a penalty.

Tralee caused an upset when they defeated St. Senan’s 41-29 at Jim Slattery Park to earn a home tie against Ennis. Seamus Lyne, Liam Gannon, Ben Glavin and Dan O’Connor scored tries for the Kerry side and Lyne kicked three conversions and five penalties.

Kilfeacle saw off the challenge of Crosshaven at Morrissey Park with a 15-5 victory, but the visitors will be disappointed at several missed scoring chances. Diarmuid O’Donnell and Richard Whitney scored tries for Kilfeacle and Gavin Heuston kicked a conversion and a penalty. James Burke replied with a try Crosshaven. Kilfeacle must now await the winners of the U.L. Bohemian v Skibbereen tie.

Muskerry were the highest scorers of the day beating Clonakilty 43-21 at Ballyanly. Lewis Grice scored three tries for the winners and Tom Griffin, Matthew Cotter and Joe Treacy got one each. Rob Cahill kicked five conversions and a penalty. Mark Purcell, Cathal O’Regan and Craig Bateman replied with tries for Clonakilty and Purcell converted all three.

Muskerry will travel to Old Christians in the next round after the Rathcooney side’s 38-12 home win over Galbally. Sean Kelly, Oscar Clark, Jimmy Ahern, Rob McKenna, Ryan O’Connell and Dave O’Connell scored tries for Old Christians and John Marnell kicked four conversions. Pat Shanahan and Jack Donovan replied with tries for Galbally with Shanahan converting his own try.

Kanturk easily overcame the challenge of Cashel at Knocknacolon with a 32-0 victory. Eoin O’Sullivan scored two tries for Kanturk, with Brian O’Sullivan, Olan Daly and Stephen McAuliffe getting one each. McAuliffe kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Charleville defeated Thurles 20-14 in their outstanding second round tie. Jessie Smith scored two tries, a conversion and a penalty for Charleville and Ollie Young also got a try. Paddy McGrath and Chris Nolan replied with tries for Thurles and Nolan converted both.

Charleville will now travel to Mallow in Round Three with Kanturk awaiting the winners.

Cobh Pirates had to withstand a late come back from Sunday’s Well before booking their place in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate Semi-Final on a 25-23 scoreline. Calvin McKeown scored two tries for Cobh and Owen McSweeney one. Cian Aherne kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Castleisland edged out Nenagh Ormond 34-33 at the Tipperary venue to book their place in the semi-final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl. Donal Geaney scored two tries for the Kerry side and Shane Browne, Jack Griffin, CJ O’Sullivan and Dean Bradley Cronin got one each. Joe Sheehy kicked two conversions.

Also, through to the last four are Scariff who defeated Youghal 18-13 at the Clare venue. Louis Moloney, Donal Moloney and Louis McCormack scored tries for Scariff and Jason Monaghan  added a penalty. Scott O’Sullivan and Darragh Coleman scored tries for Youghal and Killian Daly kicked a penalty.