Ups And Downs In Munster Junior Rugby

The 2014-2015 junior rugby season came to a close earlier this month as players, coaches, mentors and fans put their feet up until it all starts again next September.

For Clonmel it was another great season as they won the Munster Junior League Division 1 title and Junior Clubs Challenge Cup for the first time and came very close to a grand sweep, but Shannon ended their hopes of retaining the Munster Junior Cup in a thrilling replay at Irish Independent Park.

Clonmel finished as runners up in the All Ireland Provincial League with wins over Connemara and Instonians, but they were beaten by the Leinster Champions Dundalk who went on to win a place in next season’s Ulster Bank League.

They were unlucky not to have a play-off against a senior club as this tie was suspended due to the reorganisation of the All Ireland League.

In the Munster Junior League, Clonmel were always the pacesetters for the title and were challenged by Newcastle West. Defeats to Clonmel and Kilfeacle midway through the campaign for the West Limerick side saw their challenge fall off, but they did finish as runners up six points behind Clonmel and nine clear of St. Senan’s who finished third.

St. Senan’s were the only team to defeat Clonmel in the league and they will be very pleased with their performance especially after their promotion from the Second Division last season.

Muskerry and Kilfeacle finished level on points but it was the Cork side who took fourth place and qualified for the All Ireland Junior Cup next season.

Kinsale, playing in the top flight for the first time failed to win a game, but their games produced plenty of tries for both sides.

Emigration hit Tralee struggled throughout the season and were relegated.

With Richmond relegated from the All Ireland League, this meant that three teams would be relegated from Division 1 and 2. Cobh Pirates were the side to be relegated from Division 1 after finishing third last.

Clonmel won the Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup (Cup for Division 1 teams) for the first time with a 28-15 victory over Pirates in the final.

Bandon won the Second Division title only losing one game and that was to the runners up Clanwilliam 17-3. They picked up nine winning bonus points in an impressive campaign.

Clanwilliam, who finished second, went through the season unbeaten and drew one game with Thurles 10-10.

At the other end of the Second Division, emigration took its toll with Crosshaven finishing bottom and Killarney second last.

Youghal were also relegated as a result of Richmond’s relegation from thew AIL.

Bandon won the Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Shield (Shield for Division 2 teams), defeating Mallow 20-5 in the final.

Dungarvan were Third Division champions after winning seven of their eight games and drawing the other against Douglas. Charleville pipped Douglas for the runners up spot by a point.

The withdrawal of Carrick–on–Suir from the league just before it commenced left an imbalance to the fixture list, but they, along with Chorca Dhuibhne, will be rejoining the Third Division next season.

Carrigaline and Douglas have decided to merge at adult level next season and that will mean that clubs in the Third Division will have ten games for the upcoming campaign.

Charleville defeated Dungarvan 11-6 in the final of the Martin O’Sullivan Cup (Cup for Division 3 teams).

At their recent AGM, Sean O’Sullivan of Kilfeacle was elected Chairman of the Munster Junior Committee.

Munster Junior League Division 1
Winners: Clonmel; Runners Up: Newcastle West

Munster Junior League Division 2:
Winners: Bandon; Runners Up: Clonmel

Munster Junior League Division 3:
Winners: Dungarvan; Runners Up: Charleville

RELEGATED:
Ulster Bank League Division 2B: Richmond
Munster Junior League Division 1: Kinsale, Tralee and Cobh Pirates.
Munster Junior League Division 2: Crosshaven, Killarney and Youghal.