Provincial Rugby Roundup

There was plenty of drama in the weekend Junior League games as Division 1 leaders Thomond just fell short of clinching the title, the top four sides in Division 2 all recorded bonus point wins and Ennis have secured promotion from the Third Division.

Thomond who have won their nine previous league games with bonus point victories, failed to secure the bonus point in Mallow despite the home side having to play the game with fourteen players for most of the game following a red card. Thomond built up a 21-0 before half time with tries from Jamie McGarry, Evan Cusack, and Luke Costello, with Cusack converting all three tries. A resolute Mallow side held firm in the second half to deny the visitors the fourth try they needed to secure the title, and next up for Thomond is a a local derby next week, with the defending champions Richmond.

However, the battle for a top four finish intensifies as both third and fourth placed sides Clonakilty and Sunday’s Well both lost.

Clonakilty lost at home to local rivals Skibbereen 28-19. Daniel Kitson, Adam Sheehan, Tom Beare, and Tadgh Cullinane were Skibb’s try scorers. Kitson kicked three conversions and David Shannon one. Kieran Howlin, Rob Howick, and Colin Deane replied with tries for Clon’ and Eoin Downey kicked two conversions.

Newcastle West defeated Sunday’s Well 22-13 in a game that also doubled up as a Challenge Clubs Cup semi-final. Sean Murphy scored Newcastle West’s only try, and Shane Airey converted and added five penalties. Alex Lane and Logan Henry replied with tries for the ‘Well and Henry kicked one penalty.

Kilfeacle moved up to fourth place after a hard earned 23-21 away win at bottom side Charleville. Kevin Doyle and Brian Barron (2) were the Kilfeacle try scorers. Luke Heuston kicked two penalties and a conversion. Liam Barrett, Dave Moloney, and Darragh Brown replied with tries for Charleville and all were converted by Kian Smith.

Thurles defeated Clanwilliam 16-7 with a try from Sonny Dwyer and a conversion and three penalties by James Maher. Niall Sharpe replied with a try for Clanwilliam and Ben Downey converted.

Richmond avoided relegation with a 28-20 win against Kanturk. The winners led 28-5 at the interval with tries from Josh Moloney, Keith McCarthy, Paul O’Shea, and Shane Halpin and all four were converted by Sean Considine. Bryan O’Sullivan replied with two tries for the Duhallow side, and Cillian O’Sullivan, and Ronan O’Brien getting one apiece, but Kanturk must be disappointed that they failed to convert any of the tries that could have earned them a second bonus point.

Only a point separates the top three sides in Division Two, with just three games remaining. St Mary’s top the table after their 22-17 away win against Waterpark. Guilherme Ventura Patricio, Arran Nunan, Craig Duggan, and Ruairi O’Donnell were Mary’s try scores, and Rob Guerin kicked a conversion. Willie Walsh scored all Waterpark’s points with two tries, two conversions and a penalty.

Crosshaven who are level on points with Mary’s, defeated Ballincollig 31-0. Harry O’Connell scored three tries for Crosshaven, and Josh McCarthy and Anthony Sheehan got one each. Jack O’Connell added three conversions.

Kinsale easily overcame Fermoy at the North Cork venue with a 45-26 victory.  Dave Looney scored three of Kinsale’s seven tries. Tim Lynch got two, and Mark O’Connell, and Robbie O’Flynn got one each. Dylan Lacey kicked five conversions. Eoin Lacey and Eoin Leamy replied with tries for Fermoy and Eoin Lacey  converted both and added four penalties.

St. Senan’s kept their hopes alive of promotion with a 24-19 home win against Fethard. Michael Quinn, Liam Murphy, Fergal Lawler, and Adam McEvoy were Senan’s try scorers. Craig Airey converted two of the tries. Fethard had tries from Paddy Gaynor, Robert Wall and Tom Keavney. Peter Wall converted two of the tries.

Old Christians proved too strong for Youghal winning 24-0. Ciam Smith scored two tries for the Rathcooney side, and Ivan Tripp, and Niall McCarthy got one each. Laz Rabitan kicked two conversions. Aaron Creamer replied with a try for Youghal, and Nathan O’Halloran converted and also added a penalty.

Cobh Pirates ran in five tries in their 32-3 win at home to Tralee. Ben Kennedy, Josh Crone, Jack Worrall, Kevin Murphy, and Hamish Timms were Cobh’s try scorers, Rory Pierce  kicked two conversions and a penalty. Seamus Lyne kicked a penalty for Tralee.

Bottom side Galbally-Mitchelstown moved off the foot of the table with a last minute try earned them a 17-15 home win against Abbeyfeale. The West Limerick side raced into a 15-0 lead with tries from Kevin Lane and Mark Nolan. Derry O’Connor added a conversion and a penalty. Tries from Davy Norris, Oisin Walsh, Jack Donovan, and a conversion from Pa Shanahan saw the home side take the spoils.

Ennis became the first side to gain promotion after their 29-14 home win against Carrick-on-Suir in Division 3. Sean Mullarkey and Keegan Beukes scored tries for Carrick’ and Fionn Barry converted both.

Castleisland look like they will secure the other promotion spot after their 38-5 home win against bottom side Douglas. Dean Cronin scored two tries for Castleisland, and Donal Geaney, Darragh Curtin, Donnacha McSweeney, and Adam Jensen were the other try scorers. Joe Sheehy kicked four conversions. David McCarthy replied with a try for the visitors.

Killorglin made the long trip to Waterford City a winning one after they defeated their hosts 22-18. Tim Lynch, Rob Lynch, and Harry Forrest scored tries for Killorglin, and Luke O’Shea kicked two conversions and a penalty. Hayden Casey replied with two tries for Waterford and Mikey O’Connell added a conversion and two penalties.

Two of last year’s underage players Braydon Dee Carter, and Kevin Connors were Dungarvan’s try scorers in their 20-10 home win against Scariff. David Hickey converted both and also added two penalties. Jack Devanny replied with two tries for Scariff.

Killarney won the Kerry derby defeating Chorca Dhuibhne 19-13 at Ballydavid. Padraic Talbot, Alan Lynch, and Aaron Jones scored tries for the winners. Ciaran O’Brien, and Harry Kelly each added a conversion. Odhran Slattery and Gearoid Walsh were the home side’s try scorers and Seamus O Muircheartaigh kicked a penalty.