Provincial Rugby Roundup

Kilfeacle will face UCC in next Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup Final after victories over Highfield and Thomond in the semi-finals, and Fethard snatched a late victory in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate final.

Home advantage proved crucial as both Junior Cup semi-finals were won by the home side. At Kilfeacle, the Tipperary side defeated Highfield 18-10 in a closely fought game. Kilfeacle led 10-6 at the interval and had tries from Gavin Heuston and Jacques van Wyngaardt. Luke Heuston kicked two penalties and a conversion. Shane Buckley replied with four penalties for Highfield.

At the Mardyke, UCC defeated Thomond 50-28. The students led 19-14 at half time and had two tries from Peter O’Sullivan, and one each by Dan Squires, David McPolin, James Wixted, Jack O’Sullivan, and Conor Ryan. David Cogan kicked six conversions and a penalty. Thomond replied with tries by Jason Kiely, Pa Ryan, Ryain Ahern and Evan Cusack. Cusack converted all four tries.

Fethard defeated Cobh Pirates 34-31 in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate Final at Virgin Media Park. Jack Kealy, Robert Wall, Tom Keavney, Nigel O’Connell, and Michael Gaynor scored tries for Fethard. Peter Wall added three conversions and a penalty. The Pirates replied with tries from Saul Kahn, Ben Kennedy, Jack Gilmartin, and two from Cian McNamara. Rory Pierce kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Thomond had some consolation when their second side won the Webb Cup Final 21-14 against Old Crescent. Old Crescent raced into an early 14-0 lead, but tries from Dermot Fitzgerald, Jason Keane and Ger Meehan, all of which Jack O’Callaghan converted to give Thomond victory.