Provincial Rugby Roundup

Progress was made in the three Bank of Ireland knock out competitions, as the end of the season draws closer.

Three of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup semi-finalists are known as Bandon, Thomond and Young Munster progressed, while Thurles and Cobh Pirates reached the Plate final, and Dolphin will face Waterford City in the Bowl Final.

There was plenty of drama in both cup quarter finals at Bandon and Coonagh. Ben Ridgeway kicked an injury time penalty to earn Bandon a 20-17 home victory over Kilfeacle. Two tries from Kevin Kinnane gave Kilfeacle a great start but indiscipline was to cost the Tipperary side dearly. Ridgeway gave Bandon a 12-10 interval lead after converting four penalties.

A try from Santiago Gonzalez put Bandon 17-10 ahead, before two Kilfeacle players were shown red cards. Kilfeacle rallied and a try by Evan Breen converted by Gavin Heuston looked like sending the game into extra time, until Ridgeway’s dramatic winner.

Bandon will face Thomond in next week’s semi-final after they won a thrilling encounter at Coonagh defeating Shannon 22-20. A try from Ian Brown and a conversion and a penalty by Ben Sargent gave Shannon an early lead. Thomond were level after twenty minutes with a try by Jack Connolly and a conversion and penalty by Adam Guerin. A Sargent penalty had Shannon 13-10 ahead at half time. Thomond took the lead with a try from Darragh O’Neill, converted by Guerin. However, Shannon restored their lead with a try from Gus Harrington following a rolling maul and Sargent converted. Three minutes from time, Jordan O’Donnell scored a try for Thomond as they held out for a place in the last four.

Young Munster brushed aside the challenge of surprise quarter finalists Ennis 55-0 at Tom Clifford Park. Paul Allen scored three of his side’s nine tries and Tom Ross, James Horrigan, Luke Fitzgerald, Aaron Kelly, and Jack Cosgrave also scored tries. Shane O’Brien kicked four conversions and they were also awarded a penalty try.

Young Munster will be away to the winners of next week’s outstanding quarter-final tie between Mallow and Muskerry which was postponed.

Thurles defeated St. Mary’s 38-7 at Grove Island to book their place in the final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate. Paddy McGrath contributed twenty-three points of Thurles’ total with two tries, five conversions and a penalty. Mark Cummins, Colin Nolan, and Luke Kelly also scored tries for the winners. Mary’s only reply was a try Ross Kelly which Paul Loughran converted.

Cobh Pirates booked their place in the final with a 34-22 win over east Cork rivals Midleton at the Towns Park. Mark Lynch, Jack Gilmartin, Emmet O’Sullivan, Cian Ahern, and Storm Le Roux were the Pirates try scorers. Rory Pierce kicked two conversions and a penalty and Adam Devine also kicked a conversion. Gearoid Collins, Chris O’Brien, and Niall Higgins replied with tries for Midleton. Josh Daly kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Waterford City reached the final of the Bank of Ireland Bowl after they saw off the challenge of Castleisland 17-15. Gareth Plant scored two tries for Waterford and NJ Carlton one, with Plant adding one conversion.

Dolphin travelled to Clare and defeated Scariff 19-7 to reach the final. Scott Rochford, Luke Moloney and Phil Elwood scored tries for Dolphin and Ryan O’Herlihy added two conversions. William Fitzgerald scored Scariff’s try which James Hastings converted.

Clanwilliam won the Garryowen Cup after defeating Waterpark 20-14 in the final. Waterpark who led 14-10 at half time with tries from Gary Walsh and Jamie Kiersey both converted by Willie Walsh. Despite constant pressure in the final stages, Waterpark were unable to breach a solid Clanwilliam defence. Shaun Whelan scored two tries for the Tipperary side and Niall Leahy converted both and added two penalties.

Fethard completed their Section C Junior League program with a 42-10 away win at Fermoy. Peter Wall, Jack Kealy, Mike Lawrence, Paddy Gaynor, Darren Prout and Conor Kavanagh scored tries for Fethard and Josef O’Connor converted all six tries. Dylan Foley and James O’Driscoll replied with tries for Fermoy.

Killarney moved a step closer to promotion from Conference E after their 38-10 away win at Chorca Dhuibhne. Paudie Sheahan, Dave Howard, Ger Moynihan, Colin McCarthy, Brendan Fuller, and Paric Talbot scored tries for Killarney and Sheahan kicked four conversions. Gearoid Breathnach and Seamus Moriarty replied with tries for Chorca Dhuibhne.

In the other game in this Conference Douglas edged out Bantry Bay 24-19. Evan Chester, Fion O’Sullivan, Cian Twomey and Dave McCarthy scored tries for Douglas. Podge McSweeney and Sean O’Shea each kicked a conversion. Bantry replied with tries from Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Niall O’Brien and Paddy Goggin. Sean McCarthy converted two of the tries.