Provincial Rugby Roundup

Only six of the scheduled fourteen games in the Munster Junior League went ahead on the opening round of Fixtures because of weather conditions.

In Division 1 of the Munster Junior League  defending champions Thomond got their campaign under way at Grove Island against last years Second Division winners St Mary’s with a 26-15 bonus point victory. A try and conversion by Adam Guerin gave Mary’s an early lead but a try by Aidan Quinlivan converted by Jason Kiely had the sides level. Guerin kicked a penalty to give the home side a 10-7 interval lead. Thomond dominated the second half and two tries by Evan Maher both converted by Kiely put the visitors into a 21-10 lead. Aaron Nunan closed the gap with a try for Mary’s, but Jamie McGarry scored Thomond’s fourth try to secure the bonus point win.

Kilfeacle also made a good start with a 35-10 home win over Mallow. Playing with the elements in the opening half Kilfeacle raced into a 20-0 interval lead. Jacques van Wyngaardt scored three tries for the Tipperary side and Killian Noonan, Kevin Kinnane and Brian Barlow got one try each. Luke Heuston kicked a conversion and a penalty. Mallow replied with tries from Brian Henry and Michael Hayes.

In a thrilling encounter on Saturday in Skibbereen a late converted try earned Kanturk a 34-31 victory. Fionn McGibney scored two tries for the Duhallow side and JD Gouws, Brian O’Sullivan and Andy Vaughan got one each. Paul O’Keeffe kicked three conversions and a penalty. Skibb’ replied with tries from Kevin Coombes and David Shannon and they were also awarded a penalty try. Xavier McEldowney kicked a conversion and three penalties, with Shannon also adding a penalty.

In Division Two, Tralee collected maximum points from their 30-19 home win over Waterpark on Saturday afternoon. Danny Morse (2), Ben Glavin and Gavin Peevers were the winners try scorers. Peevers kicked two conversions and two penalties. Waterpark replied with tries from Mac Mbu, Eddie Wall and Dylan Coady. Ben Daly kicked two conversions.

Newly promoted Ennis defeated relegated Charleville 15-10 at the Clare venue, with Jack Scahill scoring the winning try with the last play of the game. Calum Barrett and Cian Guilfoyle also scored tries for the home side. Darragh Browne replied with two tries for Charleville.

Fethard picked up the spoils with a 15-10 home win over Abbeyfeale. Conor Kavanagh, Toby Collier and Michael Gaynor were the Fethard try scorers. Abbeyfeale replied with tries from Caomhin Barron and Jamie O’Sullivan.