Provincial Rugby Roundup

The opening round of games in the various Junior Clubs cup competitions got underway this weekend.

In the Junior Clubs Challenge Cup Clonakilty won a thrilling encounter at Kanturk 39-36 that produced eleven tries. Killian Howlin scored two tries for the West Cork side, and Dave Jennings, Pa McCarthy, Henry Miles and Rob Howick also scored tries. Howick kicked three conversions and a penalty. The home side replied with tries from Ronan O’Brien, James Moylan, Andy Vaughan and Paul O’Keeffe, with O’Keeffe kicking four conversions and a penalty.

A late rally by Skibbereen came up short at the Canal Bank as they lost away to Richmond 22-17. Tries by Keith McCarthy, Osama Farag and Ger Meehan along with a conversion by Brian Mullins had Richmond 17-0 ahead at the interval. Farag extended his side’s advantage with his second try early in the second half. Skibb’ rallied with tries from Joseph Hickey, Dave Shannon and Callum Hurley, with Shannon kicking one conversion.

Bandon defeated Muskerry 34-17 for the second successive week with tries from Brendan Twohig, Colm McCarthy, Ben Donegan and Niall Burke. They were also awarded a penalty try. Hugh O’Mahony added two conversions and a penalty. Frankie Horgan replied with two tries for Muskerry and Shane O’Riordan got one. Rob Cahill kicked one conversion.

The Quarter Final line up on the 8^th December is Newcastle West v Kilfeacle, Richmond v St. Mary’s, Clonakilty v Thomond and Bandon v Sunday’s Well.

In the Junior Clubs Challenge Shield Ballincollig defeated Cobh Pirates 22-17 at the Paddocks. Cobh led 12-10 at half time and had two tries from Jack Worrall and one by Rory Pierce. Mike White kicked one conversion.

Ennis defeated Kinsale 26-24 at the Clare venue. Mattie O’Donovan and Dave Looney gave Kinsale an early 10-0, a try by Jack Colleran converted by Dylan Kenny left the home side 10-7 behind at halftime. Ennis raced into a 26-10 lead with tries by Oisin Mangan, Barry Loughnane and Mike McNelis and two conversions by Kenny. Kinsale rallied but tries by Erhan Farley and Dan Horgan, both converted by Gavin McCarthy  were not enough to keep them in the competition.

The quarter final draw for the Shield is Charleville v Castleisland, Ennis v Old Christians, Ballincollig v Clanwilliam and St. Senan’s Waterpark. Ties to be played on 8^th December.

In the only tie played in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup, Killorglin defeated Douglas 31-0 with tries from Rob Lynch, Mikey Griffin, Stephen Cotter and two by Shane O’Neill. Luke O’Shea added three conversions.

The quarter final draw for the Martin O’Sullivan Cup is Killorglin v Corca Dhuibhne, Killarney v Dungarvan, Ardscoil Old Boys v Youghal and Carrick-on-Suir v Scariff. Ties are scheduled for the 8^th December.