Provincial Rugby Roundup

20th April 2025 By Leonard Allen

Charleville RFC with the Junior Challenge Shield after their win over St Senan's. Photo Credit: Charleville RFC

Cork Constitution booked their place in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup Final, as there were Cup Final victories for Charleville, Corca Dhuibhne and Highfield.

For the second successive week, a slow start cost Thomond dearly as they lost their Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup Semi-Final at Temple Hill to Cork Constitution 24-21. The opening half was dominated by the home side, as tries by Jacob Sheahan, George Good and Aidan Moynihan, all converted by Moynihan gave Con’ a 21-0 lead. A try by Sean Rice converted by Jason Kiely left the half time score 21-7 in favour of the Temple Hill side.

A try by Colin Slater converted by Kiely made the game a one score game, but a penalty by Moynihan gave Con’ a 24-14 advantage. Thomond scored a third try by Colin McCarthy which Kiely converted but the home side held out to book their place in the final on 3^rd May at Virgin Media Park against Old Crescent.

Charleville who were the first winners of the Munster Junior Clubs Shield back in 2009, won the trophy for a second time with a 13-9 win over St. Senan’s at Grove Island. Brian Forde scored the games only try and DJ Collins converted and also added two penalties. Declan Rowe replied with three penalties for St. Senan’s.

History was made at Virgin Media Park, when Corca Dhuibhne won the Martin O’Sullivan Cup for the first time, defeating local rivals Killarney 43-33 after extra time. Conor Flannery (2), Adam Daly, Odhran Slattery, Michael Walsh and Gearoid Walsh were the Corca Dhuibhne try scorers. Tip Delaney kicked three conversions and Tomás O Sé added two conversions and a penalty.

Diarmaid Carr replied with two tries for Killarney and Tomas Clifford, Alex O’Leary and Donnchadh Grealy got one each. Grealy kicked four conversions.

Highfield won the Munster Junior 2 Final with a convincing six try second half performance to defeat Thomond 49-5. Three penalties by Sean Horgan gave Highfield a 9-5 interval lead. Colin Haigney replied with a try for Thomond. Tries by James Sheehan, Sean Quaid, Jack Butler, Kieran Bohane and two by Donal Moriarty for Highfield put the game beyond Thomond. Horgan converted five of the tries.