Weekend Junior Rugby Round Up

Only one game postponed because of the weather at the weekend as the Munster Junior Cup fourth round was completed after some exciting ties.

The game of the day between Galbally and Cork Constitution had everything that one would associate with this compwtition, a red card, four yellow cards which resulted in a narrow 6-5 away win for Constitution. The visitors finished with fourteen players and both sides had two players yellow carded. Peter O’Sullivan put Constitution ahead with a penalty after ten minutes but a try by James Taylor had Galbally 5-3 ahead at half time. A penalty on sixty minutes by O’Sullivan proved to be the crucial score as the Temple Hill side had to withstand a late rally by Galbally before securing a home tie against Young Munster next week.

Second Division leaders Mallow caused the upset of the day when they defeated U.C.C. 22-13 at the north Cork venue and so set up a trip to Skibbereen next week. The students led 10-8 at half time with a penalty try and a conversion and penalty from Colm Downes. Mallow replied with a try from Leonard Browne and a penalty by Michael O’Flynn. Mallow dominated the second half and had a second try from Browne and one by Sean Glynn. Flynn converted both and the students only reply was a penalty from Downes. Mallow’s reward is a trip to Skibbereen next Sunday.

Two games went to extra time. Shannon and Thomond played out a 23-23 draw at Coonagh but it is the visitors Thomond who advanced on the first try rule. The sides were level 20-20 after eighty minutes with a try by Shannon’s Willie O’Connor in the final minute of normal time levelling the scores. John Clogan put Shannon ahead in the first half of extra time with a penalty but Gareth Airey levelled and it was Dean O’Brien who scored the game’s first try that decided the game in Thomond’s favour. Ritchie Ryan and Colin Liston also scored tries for the winners and Airey converted one and also added a penalty before his equalising one in extra time. Willie O’Connor scored two tries for Shannon and Aaron Spring one and Clogan kicked two penalties and a conversion.

A drop goal a minute from the final whistle in extra time by Ger O’Sullivan gave holder’s Cashel a 9-6 away win over Bruff. The sides were level 6-6 at full time with Barry Enright and Ritchie McAuliffe kicking penalties for Bruff and Rory O’Connor replying with two for Cashel.

Garryowen defeated Kanturk at Dooradoyle 20-13. The home side led 20-3 at half time with tries from Jamie McInerney, Shaun Horgan and Dave Rowley. Shane O’Brien kicked a conversion and penalty. Peter Earley replied with a penalty for Kanturk. The Duhallow side came more into the game after the break and Michael Twohig scored a try and Early converted and also added a penalty but the home side held out to book a quarter final place.

Scariff reversed their recent defeat by Ennis in the League with a surprising 10-6 away win over their near neighbours. Scariff led 5-3 at half time with a try by Conor McNamara to a David Murphy penalty. Trevor Kelly scored a second try for Scariff and Murphy replied with another rpenalty for the home side.

Scariff’s reward is a home tie with Kilfeacle next week after the Tipperary side received a walk over from Carrick-on-Suir.

Clonmel defeated Kinsale 18-10. Stephen Murphy gave Kinsale the lead with a try after ten minutes but three penalties from Ben Martin had Clonmel 9-5 ahead at the break. Renaud Sergere restored Kinsale’s advantage with a second try but three further penalties from Martin saw the home side advance.

Old Christians proved too strong for Tralee at Rathcooney emerging 42-0 winners. It was 15-0 to the winners at half time who had tries from John O’Flynn, Tom Maher, Noel Finneran, Conor Quaid, Alan O’Connell and Peter Twohig. Conor Mangan kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Division One champions Richmond advanced to the next round with a 19-10 away win over St. Senan’s. A try from Stephen Clancy and a conversion and two penalties by Darragh Clancy gave Richmond a 13-3 interval lead. Darragh Clancy kicked two penalties after the break. Senan’s replied with a try from Ferdinand Gallant and a conversion and penalty by Declan Collins.

Abbeyfeale had a surprising 15-0 home win over Youghal in the Munster Junior Plate. Michael Enright scored two tries for the winners and Thomas Enright kicked a conversion and penalty.

Muskerry came from 13-3 down at half time to defeat Bandon 18-16 in the Munster Junior Plate at Ballyanly. A try by Michael Murphy and a conversion and two penalties by Cathal Crowley had Bandon in front at the break, Eoin Keohane replying with a penalty for Muskerry. Two tries by Dave Hennessy and one by Rob O’Mahony made sure of victory for Muskerry. Crowley kicked a third penalty for the visitors.

Old Crescent edged out Highfield 24-23 at Rosbrien.

Fermoy have qualified for the final of the Munster Junior Bowl after an 18-10 home win over Charleville. A try by Brian Buckley converted by Shane Corkery gave Charleville a 7-5 interval lead. Stephen Dunne replied with a try for the home side. Tries by Courtney Canning and Shane O’Donoghue and a Cathal O’Keeffe penalty proved enough for Fermoy as Charleville‘s only reply was a penalty by Corkery.

Killorglin defeated Bantry Bay 23-8 to up a semi final meeting with Corca Dhuibhne. Barry Sheehan and Darren Curtayne scored tries for the winners and Luke O’Shea kicked two conversions and three penalties. Dave Keohane replied with a try for Bantry and Adrian Hanrahan kicked a penalty.

Ballincollig moved off the foot of the table in Division Two of the Munster Junior League after a 17-0 home win over Castleisland. A try by Rory Owens converted by Kevin Ryan made it 7-0 to the home side at half time. Denis Galvin kicked a penalty and Denis Casey scored a try which Ryan converted to secure the points.

Young Munster defeated St. Mary’s 32-12 in the Transfield Cup. Craig O’Hanlon scored two tries for the winners and Declan Brown and Owen Tarrant got one each. Brian Haugh kicked two penalties and a conversion and Declan Bannon two conversions. Mary’s replied with tries from Sean Markham and John Barry and Sean Lyons kicked a conversion.

Crosshaven defeated Douglas 24-10 in the Cork County Cup. Jake Grey and Cian Keegan were among Crosshaven’s try scorers and Daryl Foley kicked two conversions and a penalty. Sean Lehane replied with a try for Douglas and Paul byrne kicked a conversion and penalty.

Tries by Jamie McDermott, Killian Barry and Tadgh Hawes helped Cobh Pirates to an 18-0 away win over Kanturk in the Mick Barry Cup. Ian Jones added a penalty.

Highfield booked a home semi final against Bandon with a 22-16 victory over Waterford City. Darren Walsh scored two tries for the winners and Dave Eustace got a try, penalty and two conversions.