Senior Rugby Roundup

The opening series of games in the Community Series in Conference 1 saw wins for Cork Constitution, Cashel and Young Munster while Highfield and Garryowen played out a thrilling draw at Woodleigh Park.

The shock of the day was in Coonagh as Cashel surprised Shannon 36-30. Alan McMahon scored two tries for the Tipperary side and James Kendrick, Cathal Ryan and Ciaran Ryan got one each. They were also awarded a penalty try and Darragh Lyons kicked two conversions. Shannon replied with tries from Keelan Stephenson, Ikem Ugwueru, Ronan Coffey and Ben Daly, John O’Sullivan kicked two penalties and a conversion, with Daly also adding a conversion.

Tries from Bryan Fitzgerald and Scott Leahy both converted by Jason Kiely gave Garryowen a 14-3 lead at half time away to Highfield. Paddy O’Toole kicked Highfield into the lead with a penalty. A penalty from Kiely and a James Sheehan try extended Garryowen’s lead to 22-3 eight minutes into the second half. To their credit Highfield rallied in the final quarter and will feel they should have won it. Two tries from Paul Stack and one by Callum McIntosh along with two O’Toole conversions earned Highfield a share of the spoils.

Cork Constitution proved too strong for Old Crescent at Temple Hill emerging 54-19 winners. Niall Kennelly scored two of Con’s eight tries and Sean Duffy, JJ O’Neill, Duncan Williams, Ross O’Neill, Billy Crowley and Dave Hyland got one each. Aidan Moynihan added seven conversions. Dan Hurley and Cathal Monaghan replied with tries for Old Crescent; they were also awarded a penalty try and Ronan McKenna added a conversion.

Young Munster defeated U.C.C. 43-14 at Tom Clifford Park. Luke Fitzgerald and Aaron Hennessy scored first half tries for the home side and they were also awarded a penalty try along with a conversion from Evan Cusack to lead 19-7 at the interval. Second half tries from Fitzgerald, Donnacha O’Callaghan and Huw Worthington along with three conversions and a penalty from Cusack.

In Conference 2 there were big home wins for Bruff, Dolphin and Nenagh Ormond.

Bruff defeated Sunday’s Well 32-14 at Kilballyowen Park. Andrew O’Byrne contributed 22 points of his side’s tally with two tries, two penalties and three conversions. Kieran Bennett and Cian Clifford were Bruff’s other try scorers. Rob O’Keeffe replied with a try for the ‘Well and Eoin Lacey converted. They were also awarded a penalty try.

Dolphin defeated Midleton 38-14 at Irish Independent Park. Craig O’Connell scored two tries and Conor Flanagan, Finn Carey, Timmy Phelan and Andrew Dorgan got one each. Daryl Foley kicked four conversions. Stuart Lee and Rob Williams replied with tries for Midleton and Lee converted both.

Nenagh Ormond won the Tipperary derby defeating Clonmel 31-8. Willie Coffey, Kevin O’Gorman, John Hayes, Nicky Irwin and Paudie Bourke scored tries for Nenagh and Fionn McGibney added three conversions. Luke Hogan replied with a try for Clonmel and Darren Cass kicked a penalty.

RESULTS:

 Energia Community Series Conference 1: Cork Constitution 54, Old Crescent 19;

Highfield 22, Garryowen 22;

Shannon 30, Cashel 36;

Young Munster 43, U.C.C. 14;

Conference 2: Bruff 32, Sunday’s Well 14;

Dolphin 38, Midleton 14;

Nenagh Ormond 31, Clonmel 8;