Provincial Rugby Roundup

Richmond are the new leaders in Section A of the Munster Junior League with just five games left to play, as the battle at the other end of the table hots up also.

Richmond picked up maximum points from their trip to Kilfeacle with a 31-24 victory. Richmond took the lead with a penalty try and Kevin Kinnane had the sides level at halftime with a try which Gavin Heuston converted. Cillian Noonan put Kilfeacle ahead with a try, but two tries from Darragh Joyce and one by Keelan Stephenson, along with three conversions and a penalty by Tadhg Bennett saw Richmond stretch their lead. Late tries by Darren Lowry and Cormac Ryan and a Heuston conversion, saw Kilfeacle pick up two points for their endeavours.

Bandon could only score one try in their 7-0 home win against Old Christians. Scott Kingston was Bandon’s try scorer and Leopoldo Mas converted.

Defending champions Newcastle West moved up to third place, six points behind Richmond, with a game in hand, after their hard-fought 14-9 away win at Waterpark in a bruising encounter. The winners were awarded a penalty try and also had a try from Mike Bourke, which Shane Airey converted. Willie Walsh replied with three penalties for the home side.

Mallow’s hopes of a top-four finish were dealt a big blow when they lost 15-10 away to Clanwilliam. Niall Leahy kicked five penalties for the Tipperary side which gives them a big chance of retaining their top-flight status.  Yasushi Katsuta and Stephen Hayes scored tries for Mallow.

Skibbereen kept themselves ahead of the pack battling to avoid Second Division rugby next season with a 10-0 home win against Crosshaven. Jack O’Driscoll scored Skibb’s try and David Shannon converted and also added a penalty.

Muskerry eased their worries about playing in Division 2 next season after they travelled to John Fitzgerald Park and defeated Thomond 27-21. The visitors led 17-7 at halftime and had tries from Liam Donovan and two by Tom Griffin. Rob Cahill converted all three tries and also added two penalties. Jordan O’Donnell replied with two tries for Thomond and Eoghan Sherlock got one. Jason Kiely converted all three tries.

Clonakilty dragged St. Mary’s into the relegation scrap after their 22-14 win at Grove Island. Kieran Howlin, Gearoid O’Donovan, and Ben Lovell scored tries for Clon’ and Eoin Downey added two conversions and a penalty. The Saints replied with two tries from Aaron Nunan. Paul Loughran and Jazz Pendejito each kicked a conversion.

In the bottom of the table clash, Thurles defeated Abbeyfeale 17-13 with tries from Conor O’Hagan and Conor Moloney. O’Hagan converted both tries and also kicked a penalty. Jacques van Wyngaardt scored Abbeyfeale’s try and Sean Kilbridge kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Fethard took another step towards a play-off place In Section B after their 18-7 away win at Waterford City. Gus Browne and Oliver Pearson scored tries for Fethard. Josef O’Connor kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Fermoy maintained their challenge with a 16-14 home win over St. Senan’s. Ben Twomey scored all of Fermoy’s points, a try, conversion, and three penalties. Craig Riordan replied with a try for St. Senan’s, and Declan Rowe added three penalties.

Galbally-Mitchelstown who have not played for seven week’s defeated Carrick-on-Suir 18-13. Brendan Childs and Frank Cussen scored tries for the winners and John Kearns converted both and also kicked a penalty. Colm Loughman replied with a try for Carrick’ and Fionn Barry converted and added two penalties.

Ennis won the Clare derby with an 11-7 away win at Scariff. Jack Scahill scored a try for Ennis and Colm Kearney kicked two penalties. Aidan Murphy replied with a try for Scariff which Jason Monaghan converted.

Kanturk had to come from 10-0 down to defeat Killarney 26-10 and preserve their unbeaten record. Jack Thomas gave Killarney the lead with a try. Donnchadh Grealy converted and also added a penalty. Conor O’Sullivan replied with two tries for Kanturk, and Sean O’Brien and Colin Walsh got one each. Stephen McAuliffe kicked two conversions, and O’Brien one.

Charleville remain in second place after their 19-15 home win against Castleisland. Kian Smith and Eoin Carroll scored tries for the north Cork side, and Smith kicked three penalties. Dean and Mike Cronin replied with tries for Castleisland, and Joe Sheehy kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Kinsale kept up their challenge with a 55-7 home win against Ballincollig. Paul Graham scored four of Kinsale’s nine tries. Billy O’Riordan, James O’Donovan, Sean Coughlan, Cian Ryan, and Andrew Kelly got a try each. Dylan Lacey kicked five conversions.

Killorglin defeated Douglas 15-10 at Castletreasure. Fionn O’Shea and Miky Houlihan were Killorglin’s try scorers, and Luke O’Shea kicked a conversion and a penalty. Joe Harkin replied with a try for Douglas and Anton Brennan converted. Padraig McSweeney kicked a penalty.