Provincial Rugby Roundup

With three games left to play both Clanwilliam and Old Christians have been promoted to Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, While division 1 leaders Thomond get a scare away to Muskerry.

With just three game remaining in the First Division, holders Thomond maintained their perfect run with a tenth bonus point success beating Muskerry 37-27 at Ballyanly. Entering the final quarter Muskerry led 27-14, but the visitors rallied to score four unconverted tries and a penalty to take the spoils. Cillian Moughty scored two tries for the Limerick side and Joshua Dilon, Shane Kelly, Ryain Ahern and Eoghan Sherlock got one each. Jason Kiely kicked two conversions and a penalty. Muskerry replied with tries from Lewis Grice, Luke Johnson and Frankie Horgan with Rob Cahill converting all three tries and also kicking two penalties.

Kilfeacle are now the only side that can catch Thomond and are still five points behind the leaders after their 35-10 home win against St. Mary’s. Bobby Purcell, Ricky Whitney, Gareth Thomas, Luke Heuston and Jacques van Wyngaardt all scored tries for the Tipperary side and Heuston converted all five tries. Paul Loughran scored a try for ‘Mary’s and Adam Guerin converted and also added a penalty.

Bandon got back to winning ways with an impressive 36-20 home win against Sunday’s Well. Trailing 20-7 just after the interval, Bandon dominated the forward exchanges in the second half to run out comfortable winners. Tom Ferguson, Tadgh Galvin, Hugh O’Mahony and Zack Canniffe scored tries for Bandon and they were also awarded a penalty try. O’Mahony added two conversions. The ‘Well replied with tries John Costello, Mariano Cosimi and Andrew O’Callaghan. Ciaran Maguire kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Kanturk took a big step towards a top four finish and a place in next year’s All Ireland Junior Cup after their 40-12 away win at Crosshaven. They are now eight points clear of fifth placed side Muskerry. Brian O’Sullivan (‘Magner) scored three tries, Brian O’Sullivan (Kilbrin) got two and Andrew Vaughan one. Paul O’Keeffe kicked five conversions. Niall Deane replied with two tries for Crosshaven and Kealan Daly converted one.

At the other end of the table there is a big battle going on to avoid relegation. Newcastle West remain bottom after their 22-13 defeat away to Thurles. The home side had two tries from Sean McGrath and one by Shane Nugent. Jack Flannery kicked two conversions and a penalty. Newcastle West replied with a try by Sean Murphy and a conversion and two penalties kicked by Shane Airey.

Mallow remain in second last place after a last minute penalty by Mark Purcell gave Clonakilty a 15-14 home victory, Kieran Howlin scored a try for Clonakilty, and they were also awarded a penalty try. Sam Glynn and Chris O’Regan replied with tries for Mallow and Hunter Cowan converted both.

Clanwilliam’s 24-14 win at Ennis ensured that they and Old Christians will be playing in the topflight next season. Jack Quinlan scored two tries for Clan’ and Mathuín Carey and Gavin Downey got one each. Niall Leahy kicked two conversions. Ennis replied with a try by Jack Dillon, which Brendan Keane converted and they were also awarded a penalty try.

At the bottom of Division Two, bottom side Tralee lost at home to Ballincollig 48-33 Cathal Kearney scored three tries for Tralee and Gavin Peevers and Ben Glavin got one each. Peevers kicked four conversions.

Charleville defeated Fermoy 19-17 with tries from Tadgh Walsh, Kaden O’Neill and Eoin McMahon. Kian Smith kicked two conversions. Jack Duggan scored a try for Fermoy and Eoin Healy kicked four penalties.

Abbeyfeale are still above the drop zone despite their 43-12 defeat at Cobh. George Rasmussen, Billy Cain, Cian Aherne. Ben Kennedy, Brian O’Dwyer and Kevin Murphy scored tries for the Pirates. Cain and Adam Devlin each kicked two conversions. Jamie O’Sullivan and Liam Wrenne replied with tries for Abbeyfeale and Caoimhin Barrett added a convert.

The top three sides in Division Three all recorded bonus point wins.

Leaders Youghal defeated Corca Dhuibhne 59-17 at the East Cork venue, with Jordan Yellop and Sean O’Riordan each scoring two tries and Neville O’Donoghue, Olan Coleman, Leon Keneally, Rory Lynch and Conor Roche getting one each. Adam Malone kicked five conversions and Yellop two. Gearoid Breathnach, Niall Flannery and Michael Walsh got a try each with Seamus Ó Muircheartaigh adding a conversion.

Second placed Carrick-on-Suir defeated Dungarvan 24-7 with tries from Jack O’Connell, Shane Fitzgibbon, Tom Reid and Darragh Anthony. Fionn Barry kicked two conversions. Conor Finn replied with a try for Dungarvan and David Hickey converted.

Killarney who are four points behind  Carrick’, defeated Douglas 69-0. Diarmuid Carr scored four tries for the Kerry side, Donnchadh Grealy got three, Stephen Dalton two, and Dave Howard, Paul O’Sullivan and Adam Walsh one each. Ciaran O’Brien kicked nine conversions.

Killorglin defeated Scariff 27-12 with tries from Rob Lynch, Cian Naylor and Mikey Houlihan. Luke O’Shea converted all three tries and also added two penalties. Sean Tracey and David Slevin replied with tries for Scariff and Shane Kavanagh kicked a penalty.

Bottom side Ardscoil Old Boys defeated Galbally-Mitchelstown 30-16 with tries from Aaron Dunne, Mark Doyle, Dara Phillips and Enda Commane. Jamie Moore kicked two penalties and two conversions.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup Midleton defeated Bruff 44-36. Darragh Daly and Billy Lynch each scored two tries for Midleton and Julian Power got one. They were also awarded a penalty try, and Aaron James kicked four conversions and two penalties. The home side replied with tries from Anthony Neilan, Adam O’Dwyer and Cian Mulqueen and were also awarded a penalty try. O’Dwyer kicked three penalties and a conversion. Midleton will travel to Bandon in the next round.

U.L. Bohemian held off a brave challenge from Fethard at Annacotty with a 30-19 victory and setup a home tie against Highfield in Round Three. Rob Meledy, Liam O’Shannahan, Conor Goode, Liam Culhane, Michael McGinty and Michael McMahon scored tries for the winners. Fethard replied with tries from Eoin Fitzgerald, Killian O’Keeffe and Robert Wall. Richie Anglim kicked two conversions. Fethard are away to Senan’s in the Plate.