Provincial Rugby Roundup

Thomond are the first side through to the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup Semi-Finals, as Bruff, Charleville and Corca Dhuibhne booked their place in their respective Cup Finals.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, Nenagh Ormond got off to a great start at home to Thomond as they raced into an early 15-0 lead with tries from Brian O’Rourke and Ryan Thompson and a conversion and a penalty by Charlie O’Doherty. Tries from Riann O’Dwyer and Shane Kiely both converted by Jason Kiely, left Nenagh 15-14 ahead at the interval.

A second try by O’Dwyer converted by Jason Kiely put the visitors ahead 21-15. A try by O’Doherty which he converted edged the home side in front, and a try by Sam Cusack, converted by O’Doherty extended Nenagh’s lead to 29-21. A late rally by Thomond which yielded a penalty from Kiely, a try by Andrew Lyons and another penalty by Kiely saw Thomond through to the last four, where they will travel to Cork to face either Cork Constitution or U.C.C.

A last minute try by Mike O’Grady earned Bruff a 22-21 away win at St. Senan’s to book their place in the final of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate against Clanwilliam. Dara Browne and Eoin Quinn were the other Bruff try scorers. Adam O’Dwyer kicked two conversions and a penalty. Senan’s replied with two tries from Declan Rowe and one by Darren McNamara, with Rowe converting all three.

Mallow retained their status in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League after they won their final league game 32-10 away to Newcastle West and as result of this Clonakilty are relegated to Division 2. Cian Mulcahy scored a try for Newcastle West and Shane Airey converted and also added a penalty.

Charleville booked the place in the Junior Clubs Shield Final after a late penalty from DJ Collins gave them a a surprising 24-22 home win against Clanwilliam. They will now face St. Senan’s in the decider. Jessie Smith scored two tries for Charleville and Cathal Canning one. Collins converted all three tries. Clanwilliam replied with tries from Cormac Donovan, Shane Leahy and Niall Leahy, with Niall Leahy kicking two conversions and a penalty.

Corca Dhuibhne booked their place in the final of the Martin O’Sullivan Cup, with a 29-18 home win against Carrick-on-Suir. Tomás Ó Se scored two tries for the home side, and Niall Flannery, Conor Flannery and John Mac Gearailt were the other try scorers. Tip Delaney added two conversions. Niall Moriarty and Shane Fitzgibbon replied with tries for Carrick’ and Fionn Barry added a conversion and two penalties. Killarney will now face Chorca Dhuibhne in the decider.