Provincial Rugby Roundup

This weekend, 10 games were played in the Munster Junior League.

In the Munster Women’s Senior Cup, Kerry travelled to Musgrave Park where they defeated Dolphin 30-10. Kerry will now meet UL Bohemian in the next round.

At least all games in Conferences A and B of the Munster Junior League went ahead as the battle for places in phase two heats up.

The game of the day was in Conference A where the two unbeaten sides met at Liam Fitzgerald Park with victory going to the home side Thomond over defending champions Kilfeacle on a 17-7 scoreline.

Kilfeacle got off to a great start with a try from Diarmuid O’Donnell converted by Willie Staunton. A try by Aaron Rice converted by Adam Guerin tied the scores 7-7 at half time. A Guerin penalty edged Thomond ahead early in the second half and a try by Shane Kelly converted by Guerin seven minutes from time secured the win for the home side. Staunton kicked a drop goal in the dying minutes to secure the losers a losing bonus point.

Newcastle West and Richmond both won away from home and are level with Kilfeacle two points adrift of leaders Thomond.

Newcastle West defeated Galbally 29-10 with two tries from Sean Herlihy and one by Michael Bourke. They were also awarded a penalty try. Charlie O’Doherty kicked two conversions and a penalty. Galbally replied with a try from Martin Mullrey and Pat Shanahan  converted and also added a penalty.

Richmond defeated St. Senan’s 20-0. A try by Brian Mullins gave the visitors a 5-0 half time lead and in the final eight minutes a Tadgh Bennett penalty and tries by Keelan Stephenson and Sean Considine, one converted by Bennett secured the win for Richmond.

Clanwilliam recorded their first win of the campaign with a 41-0 away win at Abbeyfeale. Darragh Crowe scored two of Clanwilliam six tries. Jack Quinlan, Brian Kissane, Ben Downey and Donal Ryan were Clanwilliam’s other try scores. Niall Leahy kicked four conversions and a penalty.

Bandon are the new leaders in Conference B after leaders Muskerry suffered their first defeat losing away to Waterpark 11-10. Tries by Adam looney and Rob Cahill had Muskerry 10-0 ahead at half time. Waterpark hit back with a try from Danny O’Keeffe and two penalties by Willie Walsh the second coming late in the game ensured Waterpark’s unbeaten run continues.

Bandon defeated local rivals Clonakilty 27-7 where Will Canavan, James Collins O’Brien, Harry Hall and Josh Mahony all scored tries for the winners and Canavan kicked two conversions and a penalty. William Tyner scored a try for Clonakilty and Mark Purcell converted.

Old Christians recorded a bonus point 33-12 win away to Skibbereen. Chris Hartnett, Oscar Clarke, Cian Smith, Rob McKenna and Ruairi Casey scored tries for the Rathcooney side. Sean Kelly kicked four conversions. Kevin Coombes and Rory Byrne replied with tries for Skibbereen and Jack Driscoll converted one of the tries.

Mallow after an impressive win in the All Ireland Junior Cup last week, lost their third successive game when they lost away to Crosshaven 26-6. Jack O’Connell, Sean Scriven, Shane Bushe and Joe O’Brien scored tries for Crosshaven and Ian Smith kicked three conversions. James Hall replied with two penalties for Mallow.

In the only game played in Conference C, Ennis defeated Mitchelstown 36-24. Alan O’Shea scored two tries for the winners and Calum Barrett, Markey Carney Ben Benko and Ross O’Flaherty all scored one. Sean Hayes kicked three conversions. Mitchelstown secured a bonus point with tries from Pa Molloy, Pa Norris, Seán Coughlan and Josh Evans. Molloy converted two of the tries.

In Conference D, Kanturk defeated Cobh Pirates 29-8. Bernie Daly, Daithi Fitzgerald, Olan Daly, and Kieran Vaughan were Kanturk’s try scorers. Stephen McAuliffe kicked three conversions and a penalty. Eoin McSweeney replied with a try for the Pirates and Adam Devlin kicked a penalty.

The Ballincollig v Fermoy game was called off because of Covid and as per the rules a 0-0 result will be recorded giving both sides two points.