Provincial Rugby Roundup

There were some thrilling games in the Munster Junior League as Richmond took a big step towards claiming their fifth league title and the final series of games in Section B and C were played with Kanturk finishing top of Section C, but because of outstanding games, qualification for the playoffs are still undecided.

In a thrilling top-of-the-table clash in Section A, Richmond defeated Bandon 30-28 at Canal Bank, in a game that was decided in the final minute with a penalty from Tadhg Bennett. Bandon dominated the opening half and led 18-12 at the break. Craig Carew and Jeffrey McNamara were first-half try scorers for Richmond and Bennett kicked a conversion. Gearoid O’Leary and Matthew Crowley replied with tries for Bandon and Ben Ridgeway kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Tries by Stephen Collins and Ryan Meagher, along with a conversion and penalty by Bennett had Richmond leading 27-21 with minutes remaining. A penalty by Ridgeway, and a conversion of a second Crowley try edged the visitors ahead, but Bennett’s late kick decided the outcome.

Richmond are now ten points clear of both Bandon and Newcastle West with three games remaining, although the West Limerick side have a game in hand.

Holders Newcastle West kept their faint hopes alive with a 38-19 home win over neighbours Abbeyfeale.  Sean Murphy scored two tries for the winners, and Cian Mulcahy, Gerald Griffin, and Andrew Mortell got one each. Alex O’Halloran converted all five tries and also added a penalty. John Forde, Don Leahy, and Gearoid Scannell scored tries for Abbeyfeale and Leahy kicked two conversions.

Kilfeacle got back to winning ways with a 20-12 away win at Clonakilty. Cillian Nonan, Darren Lowry, and Kevin Doyle were Kilfeacle’s try scorers, and Doyle kicked a conversion and a penalty. Sean Madden and Niall Barrett replied with tries for Clonakilty. Eoin Downey kicked one conversion.

This game also doubled up as a Junior Clubs Challenge Cup game, and Kilfeacle will now host Richmond in the final.

Mallow kept their hopes of a top-four finish alive with a 29-0 home win over St. Mary’s. Stephen Hayes, Rory Murphy, Jimmy Glynn, and Dave Breen were try scorers for Mallow. Sam Glynn kicked three conversions and a penalty.

What is not clear is how many sides will be relegated from this Section to Division 2 next season. Four teams will be automatically relegated and depending on if one or two Munster sides drop out of the All Ireland League, that number could rise to five or six.

This means the battle at the end of the table sees eleven of the sides battling to avoid those bottom places.

There was a thriller at Rathcooney where Thomond snatched victory 27-24 with a last minute penalty by Eoghan Sherlock against Old Christians. The home side’s cause was not helped in the closing stages of the game as two of their players received red cards. Mike McMahon, Berto Kelly, and Jordan O’Donnell scored tries for Thomond, and Sherlock kicked three conversions and two penalties. Cian Smith, Jamie Hayes, and Laszio Rabatin replied with tries for Old Christians. John Marnell kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Clanwilliam moved up to sixth place after their 16-13 away win at Crosshaven. Jack Quinlan scored a try for the Tipperary town side and Niall Leahy kicked three conversions and a penalty. Jack O’Connell replied with a try conversion and two penalties for Crosshaven.

Thurles defeated Skibbereen 40-19, a result that drags Skibbereen back into the relegation battle. Cathal Hayes and Ciaran Ryan both scored two tries for Thurles. Paddy McGrath and James Maher got one each, with Cathal O’Hagan kicking five conversions. Daniel Duggan, Adam Sheehan, and David Shannon replied with tries for Skibb’ and Shannon added two conversions.

Muskerry defeated Waterpark 26-24 to move three points out of the relegation zone. Tom Griffin, Rob Desmond, Eoin O’Leary, and Mick Dillane scored tries for Muskerry and Rob Cahill added three conversions. Noel Roche, Paddy Kiersey, and Harry Jephson replied with tries for Waterpark. Willie Walsh converted all three tries and also added a penalty.

In Section B, St Senan’s completed their program with a 31-3 home win over Scariff to lie in second place, six points behind leaders Fethard, but with several of the sides behind them with games in hand, they will probably be overtaken and miss out on a playoff place.

Aidan McMahon (2), Brian Collins, and Craig Riordan were the Senan’s try scorers. Declan Rowe kicked four conversions and a penalty. Evan McManus replied with a penalty for Scariff.

Fermoy’s hopes of making the playoffs, were dealt a blow at Galbally, where they went down 19-9 to Galbally-Mitchelstown. Kevin Cooke scored the game’s only try for the winners. John Kerins kicked four penalties and a conversion. Ben Twomey replied with three penalties for Fermoy.

Cobh Pirates kept their challenge alive with a 29-18 away win at Ennis. Storm Le Roux, Charlie Rasmussen, Cian McNamara, and Rory Pierce scored tries for Cobh. Pierce added three conversions and a penalty.

Youghal also remain in the race after their 48-13 home win over Waterford City. Kelvin Yellop, Scot O’Sullivan, and Daragh O’Brien each scored two tries for the east Cork side. Conor Butler and Alan Frahill O’Connor got one apiece. Conal Doyle kicked three conversions, and Aaron Daly one. Hayden Casey and Danny Collins replied with tries for Waterford City and Noah Mellors kicked a penalty.

Dungarvan defeated Carrick-on-Suir 48-13 in a bottom-of-the-table clash. Dan Slevin scored two tries for the Waterford side and Jack McGrath, Darrell Ryan, and Adam Power got one each. Mike Hayes kicked three conversions. Carrick’ replied with tries from Jack Boylan, Jamie O’Shea, and Adam O’Loughlin. Fionn Barry contributed two conversions, a penalty, and a drop goal to his side’s tally.

Only one game remains outstanding in Section C and that is between Ballincollig and Charleville, which will decide who will be in the playoffs.

Ballincollig defeated Kanturk 44-43 in a thriller at Tanner Park which produced thirteen tries and was decided by a Charlie Boland penalty in the final minute. This result ended Kanturk’s unbeaten league run but they are assured of finishing top of their section and a home match in the final playoff game.

Matt Bourke, Charlie Boland, Dave Power, Daragh O’Shea, Patrick Kelly, and James McGlinchey were the Ballincollig try scorers. Boland kicked four conversions and two penalties. Colin Walsh (3), Ciaran Vaughan (2), Sean Walsh, and Ronan O’Brien scored tries for Kanturk. Sean O’Brien kicked four conversions.

Five penalties from Dylan Lacey were enough to give Kinsale a 15-14 win at Castleisland and ensured their place in the playoffs. Kevin Lenihan and Mike Cronin scored tries for Castleisland, and Joe Sheehy converted both.

Tralee defeated Killorglin 28-6 in the Kerry derby. Sean Pullen, Sean O’Mahony, Ben Glavin, and Cillian O’Riordan scored tries for Tralee. Seamus Lyne converted all four tries. Luke O’Shea replied with two penalties for the home side.

Killarney ended their campaign with a 36-0 home win over Douglas.