Richmond Move Closer To Fourth League Title

13th January 2013 By Munster Rugby

With only four games to play Richmond are on the verge of winning their fourth title, third in four years after an away bonus point 37-24 victory against Cobh Pirates.

It was a closely contested opening half with the Limerick side leading 13-12 at the break with a try from Michael Kelleher and a conversion and two penalties by Brian Mullins to four penalties by Eoin Geary for the home side. Further tries by Finbar Hogan, Dave Sheehan, Emmet Harty and Mike O’Friel and two conversions by Mullins secured the points for Richmond. Conor Foley and Eamon Ronan replied with tries for Cobh and Geary converted one.

With the Old Christians v Skibbereen postponed, both Kilfeacle and Tralee moved ahead of the West Cork side with victories.

Kilfeacle won their Tipperary derby with a 25-6 away win over Clonmel. A penalty from Shane Looby after four minutes was followed two minutes later with a try by Shane Morrissey which Looby converted. Connor Cooney kept Clonmel in contention with two penalties but a try by Diarmuid O’Donnell left it 15-6 at the interval in favour of the visitors. Shane Looby added a penalty three minutes into the second half and converted a try by his brother Ger to secure the points.

Tralee had to withstand a late challenge from Clanwilliam before emerging 13-12 winners. A try by Ciaran Crowley and a conversion and two penalties by Dan Clarke secured the points for the Kerry side. Brian Kissane kicked four penalties for the visitors.

Crosshaven are in grave danger of being relegated after their 16-6 home defeat by Newcastle West. The sides were level 3-3 at half time with Ian Smith kicking a penalty for Crosshaven and Alan Roche replying for the visitors. A try by Tommy Kelleher and a conversion and two penalties by Roche secured the points for the west Limerick side. Crosshaven’s only response was a penalty by Conor Lydon.

St. Senan’s push from the relegation area continued after their 20-16 home win over Galbally. Declan Collins, Stephen Ryan and Fergal Lawlor scored tries for the Clare side. Brian Collins added a drop goal and Philip Noone kicked a conversion. James Taylor replied with a try for Galbally and Craig Airey kicked three penalties and a conversion.

A last minute penalty earned St. Mary’s a narrow 6-3 home victory over Waterpark. Ben Sargent kicked two penalties for the Corbally side and John Flynn replied with one for Waterpark.

All top four sides in Division Two won. Leaders Muskerry still maintain a three point advantage after their 23-19 away win over Kinsale. Tries from Liam O’Donovan and Willie Healy both converted by Jonathan Buckley and a Buckley penalty had the visitors 17-6 ahead at half time. Pater Murphy replied with two penalties for Kinsale. Buckley added two further penalties after the break and Pat O’Regan replied with a try for the home side and Murphy converted and also kicked two penalties.

Mallow in second place three points behind the leaders defeated Ennis 20-5. Andy Cashman converted a penalty try and kicked two penalties to leave Mallow 13-5 ahead at the interval. Shaun Flanagan was the Clare side’s scorer with a try. Frankie Thornton scored a second try for the home side and Cashman converted.

Castleisland defeated Presentation 13-10 with a last minute penalty from Connie Reynolds to remain in third place seven points off the pace but with a game in hand. Padraig Cronin and Declan O’Connell scored tries for the winners and the home side hit back with a try from John Higgins and a conversion and penalty by Mark Phair.

Killarney a further point behind Castleisland but with two games in hand kept up their challenge with a 13-8 away win over Newport. Adrian Hegarty scored a try for the Kerry side and Paudie Sheahan kicked a conversion and two penalties. Phillip O’Brien replied with a try and a penalty for Newport.

Bandon defeated Thurles 22-6 to move into the top half of the table. Eoin O’Donovan scored two tries for the winners and Gearoid Crowley got one and also added a penalty and two conversions. Lawrence O’Gorman replied with two penalties for the visitors.

Carrick-on-Suir won the bottom of the table clash at home to Dungarvan winning 30-8. Willie Wallace and Adam O’Loughlin each scored two tries for the winners and JP Wallace got one. James Wallace kicked a conversion and a penalty. Richard Laffan replied with a try for the visitors and Conor Foley added a penalty.

Killorglin remain top of the Third Division following their 41-5 away win over Charleville. Andrew O’Reilly and Darren Curtayne each scored two tries for the Kerry side and Noel O’Reilly and Trevor West got one each. Luke O’Shea kicked four conversions and a penalty.

The Ballincollig Douglas tie had to be abandoned after fifty minutes when referee Stephen Curtin got injured. Douglas were leading 18-13 at the time. Niall O’Connell and Eoin Philpott scored tries for Douglas and Philpott kicked a conversion and two penalties. Padraig Flynn replied with a try for Ballincollig and Denis Galvin kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Abbeyfeale defeated Scariff 19-7. Thomas Enright converted a penalty try for Abbeyfeale and also added four penalties. Conor McNamara replied with a try and a conversion.

Kilrush defeated Dunmanway-Bantry Bay 10-3 with two tries from Oliver Downs to a penalty by Ian Lynch.

In the Junior Two League South Mitchelstown defeated Waterpark 16-7. Pa Molloy scored a try for the winners and Pa Magee kicked a conversion and three penalties.

Carrigaline had a 15-0 home win over Cork Constitution. Kieran Kelleher and Dave Donoghue scored tries for the winners and Sean Lucey kicked a conversion and a penalty.

RESULTS:
Munster Junior League Division 1: Clonmel 6, Kilfeacle 25;
Cobh Pirates 24, Richmond 37;
Crosshaven 6, Newcastle West 16;
Old Christians v Skibbereen Off
St. Mary's 6, Waterpark 3;
St. Senan's 20, Galbally 16;
Tralee 13, Clanwilliam 12;

Division 2: Bandon 22, Thurles 6;
Carrick-on-Suir 30, Dungarvan 8;
Kinsale 19, Muskerry 23;
Mallow 20, Ennis 5;
Newport 8, Killarney 13;
Presentation 10, Castleisland 13;

Division 3: Abbeyfeale 17, Scariff 7;
Ballincollig 13, Douglas 18 (abandoned);
Charleville 5, Killorglin 41;
Kilrush 10, Dunmanway-Bantry Bay 3;

Munster Seconds League South: Cashel 17, Cork Constitution 12;
Dolphin 13, Highfield 28;

Gleeson League: St. Senan's 12, Old Crescent 27;

Junior 2 League Group A: Kinsale 3, Highfield 14;

Group B: Carrigaline 15, Cork Constitution 0;
Waterpark 7, Mitchelstown 16;

Mick Barry Cup Group A: Bandon 6, Iveragh 3;

Group B: Cashel 25, Dolphin 18;
Waterford City 23, Cobh Pirates 23;

George O'Connell Cup: Shandon 29, Dungarvan 9;

Junior 3 League South Group A: Fermoy 8, Dolphin 16;

Group B: Dunmanway-Bantry Bay 10, Muskerry 24;

Under 21 South Western Conference: Garryowen 8, Galwegians 13;
Shannon 7, Buccaneers 9;

South Under 19 League Play Off: Kanturk 21, Dolphin 3;