Provincial Rugby Roundup

All the outstanding league games in the Munster Junior League went ahead, with the only casualties were two games in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup due to the weather warnings that were in place.

In Division 1 of the Munster Junior League Bandon moved to within a point of leaders Thomond after their 26-8 home win against Newcastle West. Colm McCarthy, Hugh O’Mahony, Zach Allen and Ralph O’Mahony scored tries for Bandon with Hugh O’Mahony converting three of them. Cian Tierney replied with a try for Newcastle West and Andrew Mortell kicked a penalty.

Two second half converted tries proved crucial for Muskerry in their 21- 5 home win over Thurles. Liam Donovan, Dave Galvin and Tom Griffin were the Muskerry try scorers and Rob Cahill converted all three. James O’Meara replied with a try for Thurles.

Sunday’s Well got their first win of the campaign with a hard earned 19-14 win over Richmond at Virgin Media Park. Playing with the wind in the opening half, the ‘Well  led 16-0 at the interval with a try from Kees Pereka and a conversion and three penalties from Ciaran Maguire. Graham Kirwin opened Richmond’s account with a try at the start of the second half which Brian Mullins converted. Maguire kicked his fourth penalty midway through the half and in a nail biting finish Ger Barry got Richmond’s second try which Mullins converted.

Clonakilty moved off the foot of the table with a 31-10 bonus point away win at Crosshaven. William Tyner scored two tries for the West Cork side and Kieran Howley, Moss Downey and Henry Miles got one each. Mark Purcell kicked three conversions. Kealan Daly and Darragh Jeffers replied with tries for Crosshaven.

In Division 2 Clanwilliam made it three bonus point wins from three when they ended Ballincollig’s unbeaten start with a 37-12 victory at Tanner Park. The Tipperary side led 15-12 midway through the second half but finished with a flourish scoring four tries. Darragh Burke, Jack Quinlan, Edward Nolan, Jack Ryan, Shane Leahy, Niall Leahy and Ben Downey were the Tipperary sides try scorers and Downey kicked one conversion.

Old Christians are a point behind the leaders after their 52-8 win over Fermoy at Rathcooney. Ryan Butt, Mark Deane, Jack Lonergan, David Ahern, Lazio Rabatin, Ivan Tripp, Oscar Clark and Conor Smiddy scored tries for the winners and Harry Martin kicked six conversions. Darren Harnett replied with a try for Fermoy and Frank O’Flynn kicked a penalty.

Kinsale defeated Castleisland 17-5 with two tries from Brian O’Donnell and one by Faelan Stewart. Dylan Lacey added one conversion. Darragh Browne was Castleisland’s try scorer.

Cobh Pirates moved off the foot of the table with a 36-20 home win over St. Senan’s in a game that produced nine tries. Conor O’Donovan, Killian O’Connell, Ben Kennedy, Rory Pierce and Alex Mulligan were the Pirates try scorers. Billy Cain converted four of the tries and also kicked a penalty. Liam Lapina, Brian Collins, Mikey Lynch and Darren McNamara replied with tries for the Clare side.

Waterpark booked their place in the quarter finals of the Junior Clubs Challenge Shield with a 14-3 away win at Abbeyfeale. Ben Daly and Jack Mackey scored tries for Waterpark and both were converted by Mick Hayes. Jamie O’Sullivan replied with a penalty for Abbeyfeale.

Youghal proved too strong for Galbally-Mitchelstown in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup winning 27-7. Jordan Yellop, Bobby Nicholson, Kelvin Yellop, Nathan O’Halloran and Stehen Kelly were the Youghal try scorers and Kelly added one conversion. Mikey O’Dea replied with a try for the visitors and Pa Shanahan converted.