Provincial Rugby Roundup

Thomond’s hopes of going senior next season ended at Ashbourne where they lost to Monkstown, Highfield and Kilfeacle progressed in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup and Newcastle West retained the Junior Clubs Challenge Cup for a record third season.

A poor first half cost Thomond dearly against Monkstown in the All Ireland Provincial Junior Championship as they trailed 19-0 at half time. They rallied in the final quarter and tries from Kealon McMahon, Luke Costelloe, and Jamie McGarry plus a conversion by Evan Cusack closed the gap to two points, but two late converted tries by the Dublin side ensured that Monkstown will be facing Ballyclare in next week’s final.

Thomond’s defeat means that Clanwilliam are relegated to Division Two next season and either Fermoy or Youghal will be playing in Division Three.

Highfield booked their place in the semi finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup after their 26-5 win against Skibbereen at Woodleigh Park. Seamus Garrett, Noah Patterson, Barry Spearman Walsh, and Shane Buckley scored tries for Highfield, with Buckley converted three of the tries. Ross Byrne replied with a try for the visitors.

Kilfeacle overcame Thurles 43-29 and setup an away quarter final tie against Shannon next week. Jacques van Wyngaardt scored two of Kilfeacle’s seven tries, with Kevin Kinnane, Brian Barlow, Christopher Thomas, Richard Whitney, and Bob Purcell getting one each. Luke Heuston kicked four conversions. Thurles replied with tries from Conor Moloney, Kieran O’Hagan, Paddy McGrath, and Colin Nolan, with James Maher adding three conversions and a penalty.

Newcastle West retained their Junior Clubs Challenge Cup title with a 30-10 win over Richmond at Grove Island. Jason Murray gave Richmond an early lead with a try which Sean Considine converted. Newcastle West led 10-7 at the interval, but Considine  levelled before the holders totally dominated the remainder of the game with Liam Treacy scoring two tries, and Shane Airey and Daniel Normoyle getting one each. Airey kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Cobh Pirates will play Fethard in next week’s Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate Final.  Cobh Pirates defeated Youghal 29-17 with two tries from Ben Kennedy and one each from Josh Crone, Adam Devine, and Rory Pierce. Two the tries were converted by Pierce. Rory Fitzgerald, Aaron Creamer and Alan Frahill O’Connor  scored tries for Youghal and Nathan O’Halloran kicked a conversion.

Fethard defeated Killarney 27-17 at the Kerry venue to book their place in the decider. Two tries from Robert Wall and one each by Philip O’Connor, and Richard Anglim were Fethard’s try scorers. Peter Wall kicked two conversions and a penalty. Pierce Slattery and Stephen Walsh replied with tries for Killarney. Harry Kelly converted both tries and Ciaran O’Brien kicked a penalty.

Abbeyfeale ensured their place in Division Two of the Munster Junior League next season, with a 35-5 bonus point win at home to Kinsale. Philip Daly, John Forde, Jack O’Sullivan, and Diarmuid Buckley scored tries for Abbeyfeale and Derry O’Connor kicked three penalties and three conversions. David Looney replied with a try for Kinsale.