Provincial Rugby Roundup

Richmond moved closer to regaining the Munster Junior League trophy as two of their main challengers faltered against sides battling to avoid Division 2 rugby next season. There were no major shocks in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup Second Round.

Richmond opened up a six point gap after their 38-28 home win over Skibbereen. Richmond led 26-0 at halftime with two tries from Darragh Joyce and one each by Jeff McNamara and Ryan Meagher Tadgh Bennett converted three of the tries. Jack O’Hanlon and Bennett added further tries after the break, with Bennett adding one conversion. Skibb’ battled to the finish and secured a bonus point with two tries from Adam Sheehan, and one each by Kieran Shannon and Rory Byrne. David Shannon converted all four tries.

Clonakilty caused the upset of the day by defeating Newcastle West 21-17, a result that puts a big dent in the holder’s chances of retaining the trophy. Sean Madden scored two tries for Clonakilty and Conor Ryan got one. Eoin Downey converted all three tries. Sean Murphy and Rob Guerin replied with tries for the home side. Shane Airey converted both and also added a penalty.

Thomond eased their relegation worries with a 39-31 win at Kilfeacle. Eoghan Sherlock scored three tries for the Limerick side and  Jordan O’Donnell added two tries, Jason Kiely kicked four conversions and two penalties. Kilfeacle replied with tries from Bobby Purcell, Brian Barlow, Cormac Ryan, and Kevin Doyle. Timmy Clarke converted all four tries and also added a penalty.

Mallow kept their hopes of a top-four finish alive with a 29-20 home win against Waterpark. Stephen Hayes scored three tries for Mallow and Sean Glyn and Anthony Castillo got one apiece. Jimmy Glynn kicked two conversions. Conor Horan, Alex Deegan, and Paddy Kiersey replied with tries for Waterpark. Willie Walsh kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Clanwilliam defeated Old Christians 24-19 at Rathcooney in a game that both sides needed a win to move away from the relegation zone. Derek Shields and Niall Leahy scored tries for Clanwilliam, and Leahy converted both and also added three penalties. Ivan Tripp, Ron McKenna, and Jamie Hayes replied with tries for the home side. Conor Dolan kicked two conversions.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, Thurles won the Tipperary derby defeating Cashel 34-22. Paddy McGrath, Darragh Sweeney, Cathal Hayes, and Eoghan O’Dwyer scored tries for Thurles. Conor O’Hagan converted all four tries and added two penalties. Jack O’Rourke, Aidan O’Connor, and Liam Shine replied with tries for Cashel, and Dan O’Neill kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Fermoy got the better of Dolphin at the North Cork venue 36-15. Ben Twomey contributed two tries, four conversions, and a penalty to his side’s tally. Peter Finn, Jack Fox, and Darragh O’Sullivan also scored tries. Charlie Dwyer, Cillian Ansbro, and Adam Abdulsalem replied with tries for Dolphin.

Old Crescent proved too strong for St. Senan’s at Jimmy Slattery Park winning 42-0. Dave Rickard (2), Ciaran Cusack (2), Brandon Nash, and Dean O’Grady were the try scorers for Old Crescent. Glenn Kelly converted all six tries.

Charleville defeated U.L. Bohemian 36-14. Jessie Smith scored two tries for the winners, and Jake Madigan, Darragh Brown, and Ivan Linehan also added tries. Kian Smith kicked four conversions and a penalty. Lee Morgan and Oisin Fagan were try scorers for UL Bohs.

Midleton edged out Killorglin 27-12 in a closely fought contest at the Kerry venue, relying on two late tries to see them advance. Fionn O’Connell scored two tries for Midleton, and Luke O’Connell and Tom Sheehan also scored tries. Michael White kicked two conversions and a penalty. Conall Whealan and Cian Corcoran replied with tries for Killorglin, and Luke O’Shea added a conversion.

Waterford City defeated Scariff 29-15 with tries from Naoise McCathmaoil, NJ Carlson, and Danny Collins. They were also awarded a penalty try. Noel Mellors kicked two conversions and a penalty. David Harte and Martin Daly replied with tries for Scariff, and Jason Monaghan kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Nenagh Ormond defeated Ennis 37-7. Danny White, Ben Armitage, Darragh Flannery, Cian Ryan, and Joseph Gleeson scored tries for the Tipperary side, Conor O’Brien kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Kinsale defeated a weakened Fethard side 25-3. Paul graham (2), Dan Graham, and Mark O’Connell were the Kinsale try scorers. Dylan Lacey kicked a conversion and a penalty. Jack Kealy replied with a penalty for Fethard.

Galbally-Mitchelstown defeated Youghal 22-12. John Kearns, Brendan Childs, Danny Sheehan and Evan  Dunne scored tries for the winners and Kearns added one conversion. Conor Roche and Conall Doyle replied with tries for Youghal, and Doyle added one conversion.

A try from Cian Twomey was not enough for Douglas who lost 48-5 away to Carrick-on-Suir.