Weekend Rugby Roundup

Holders Young Munster are the only Limerick side remaining in the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup after the weekend’s quarter-final ties were decided, and it was defeat again for both Munster sides in the Women’s All Ireland League.

The shock of the day in the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup was at Dooradoyle where Nenagh Ormond knocked out Garryowen 28-22. Nenagh led 28-3 with tries from David Gleeson, John O’Flaherty, Willie Coffey, and Niall O’Gorman. James Finn converted all four tries. Garryowen replied with tries from Max Klein, Bryan Fitzgerald, and Jack Delaney, with Delaney adding two conversions and a penalty.

A last-minute try from James Taylor, converted by Shane Buckley earned Highfield a 17-13 win over Shannon on the back pitch in Thomond Park. Gavin O’Leary and John O’Callaghan were Highfield’s other try scorers. Jade Kriel replied with a try for Shannon and Michael Cook converted and added two penalties.

Young Munster proved far too strong for Clonmel emerging 67-7 winners at the Limerick venue. Jack Harrington and Stephen Lyons each scored three tries for the winners. Conor Bartley, Conor O’Shaughnessy, Dan Walsh, and Peter Hickey were their other try scorers. Evan Cusack kicked four conversions and a penalty. Cian Casey added three conversions. Clonmel replied with a try by Rob Wynne which Alex Sheehan converted.

Cork Constitution defeated Cashel 32-17 at Temple Hill. In a closely fought opening half, the home side led 13-10 at halftime with a try from Michael Hand and a conversion, and two penalties by Aidan Moynihan. Richard Kingston scored a try for Cashel and Josh Dwyer converted and also added a penalty. Second-half tries from Jack Kelleher, Hand, and Niall Kenneally, plus a Moynihan conversion saw Con’ advance to the last four. Conor Cashman scored a try for Cashel which Dwyer converted.

The semi-final draw will see Young Munster host Cork Constitution and Highfield will travel to Nenagh Ormond.

Midleton defeated Old Crescent 26-19 in the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Plate. Ritchie Daly, Rian Hogan, Stuart Lee, and Ger McIntyre scored tries for Midleton and Lee converted three of the tries. Cathal Monaghan replied with two tries for Old Crescent and Dan Feasey got one. Aaron Cosgrove kicked two conversions.

Midleton will face UCC in the semi-final and UL Bohemian will host Dolphin.

UL Bohemian lost at home to holders Railway Union 24-5 in the second series of games in the Women’s All Ireland League. Geena Behan was U.L. Bohemian’s try scorer.

Tries from Gillian Coombes, and Sarah O’Donovan were not enough for Ballincollig who lost at home to Old Belvedere 85-10.

Junior Rugby

Progress was made in local Junior competitions as Leagues begin in two weeks’ time.

Old Christians knocked out County Cup holders Muskerry 34-14 and will now face Clonakilty in next week’s Semi-Final. Conor Dolan, Ryan O’Connell, Conor drummy, and Oscar Clark scored tries for the Rathcooney side and John Marnell kicked four conversions and two penalties. Dan Horgan replied with two tries for Muskerry, which Rob Cahill converted.

Kinsale booked their place in the final of the O’Neill Cup with a last-minute penalty from Paul Graham for a 37-34 win over Cobh Pirates. Graham contributed two tries, two penalties, and three conversions to his side’s tally. Billy O’Riordan, Ruairi McCarthy, and Dan O’Brien were Kinsale’s other try scorers. Josh Crone, Rory Pierce, Conor McDowell, and Cian Ahern replied with tries for the Pirates and Pierce added three conversions.

Fermoy will face Ballincollig in the other semi-final, after their 30-19 home win over Douglas. Eoin Deasy, Bill Foley, Rob O’Flaherty, and Ian Ahern scored tries for Fermoy. Peter Clancy kicked two penalties and a conversion, and Eoin Lacey also added a conversion. Matthew Hartigan replied with two tries for Douglas and Cian Twomey got one. Luke Sweetman kicked two conversions.

Waterpark advanced in the Mansergh Cup with a 22-13 home win over Fethard. Jack Walsh, Dermot Lennon, Paddy Kiersy, and Danny O’Keeffe scored tries for Waterpark and Willie Walsh added a conversion.

Two tries from Mark Cummins were not enough for Thurles who lost at home to Cashel 15-10.

Galbally-Mitchelstown defeated Newport 28-7.

Clanwilliam defeated Clonmel 15-12 in the opening round of the Garryowen Cup. Ben Downey and Niall Leahy scored tries for Clanwilliam, Downey kicked a penalty, and Leahy a conversion.