Weekend Junior Rugby Round Up

Despite the festive season the competitive action in Junior rugby resumed with several postponed matches being played.

There were no shocks in the three Munster Junior Cup ties down for decision. Bruff made the long trip to Dunmanway a winning one with a 20-0 victory over the Third Division side. The visitors led 13-0 at half time with tries from Nigel O’Riordan and Mike O’Donovan and a penalty from Brian Carroll. Colm O’Sullivan scored a third try for the visitors in the second half and Richard McAuliffe converted.

Bruff will now be away to Presentation next week in the Third Round after Presentation defeated Newport 19-6 in a game that was transferred from the Tipperary venue to Rathuard. Kevin Donnelly scored a try for the winners and Shane O’Brien kicked a conversion and four penalties.

St. Mary’s defeated Douglas 33-3 at Corbally to setup a home tie against Dungarvan next week. The Saints led 13-0 at half time with a try, conversion and two penalties from Sean Lyons. After the break Ger McInerney scored two tries and Sean Lipper one. Lyons added a conversion and a penalty.

It was a good day for the Kerry clubs in the Munster Junior League. Tralee moved out of the relegation zone in Division One with a 29-10 home win over Old Christians. The Kerry side led 19-0 at half time with tries from Ger Costelloe, Jimmy Byrnes and Garret Walsh with Walsh converting two of them. Aidan Tobin and Walsh exchanged early penalties in the second half, before Cian Smith scored a try for the visitors which Stephen O’Connell converted. With the last play of the game Dan O’Connor scored a fourth try for Tralee to secure the bonus point and Walsh converted.

Castleisland eased their relegation worries in Division Two with a 13-10 home win over Ennis. Pat Fitzgerald scored a try for the winners and JJ Casey converted and added two penalties. Shane O’Connor and Conor Mahoney replied with tries for the Clare side.

Killarney ran out convincing 48-5 winners over Youghal in a mid table clash, a result that sees Killarney move into fourth place in the table. Despite the heavy conditions Mike Nash scored three tries for the winners, Padraic Hallissey two and Brian O’Sullivan one. Paudie Sheahan kicked four conversions. Skipper Alan Moloney replied with a try for Youghal.

Abbeyfeale collected maximum points with a 24-12 away win over Kilrush in Division Three. Pat Twomey, David Ward, Tom Enright and Liam Herlihy scored tries for the winners and Micheal Roche kicked two conversions.

The Killorglin Carrick-on-Suir tie in Division Three was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Holders Richmond advanced to the quarter finals of the Transfield Cup and a home tie with Garryowen after their 25-8 victory over Shannon. The junior league leaders led 8-0 at half time with a try from James Hayes and a penalty from Darragh Clancy. Hayes Gearoid Phelan and Sean Bennett added second half tries and Clancy kicked a conversion. Gordon Birtchfield replied with a try for Shannon and John Clogan kicked a penalty.

Kinsale caused a big shock in the Cork County Cup with a 29-5 home win over Kanturk. Renaud Sergere scored two of Kinsale’s four tries with Joe Lyons and Paul Perez getting the others. Perez kicked three conversions and a penalty. Dan McCabe replied with a try for Kanturk.

Mallow defeated Fermoy 38-24. The winners led 14-0 at half time with tries from Michael O’Flynn and Mike Sweeney with O’Flynn converting both. Leonard Browne, Neil Lucey, Robbie Doyle and Dave Walsh added further tries for Mallow and O’Flynn kicked two conversions. Jim Mackesy and Jeff Daly replied with late tries for Fermoy and Shane O’Riordan kicked a conversion, three penalties and a drop goal.

A last minute penalty from Brendan Monaghan earned Cork Constitution a 16-13 home win over Kanturk in the Junior Two League South. The sides were level 13-13 at half time. Fergus Rowan scored a try for the home side and Monaghan kicked a conversion and two penalties. Kevin Noonan replied with a try for Kanturk and John Cronin kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Old Christians still remain top of this section after they collected maximum points with a 27-8 away win over Muskerry. Shane O’Brien scored Muskerry’s try and Mick Lyne added a penalty.

RESULTS:
Munster Junior Cup: Dunmanway 0, Bruff 20;
Newport 6, Presentation 19;
St. Mary's 33, Douglas 3;

Munster Junior League Division 1: Tralee 29, Old Christians 10;

Division 2: Castleisland 13, Ennis 10;
Killarney 38, Youghal 5;

Division 3: Kilrush 12, Abbeyfeale 24;

Cork County Cup: Mallow 38, Fermoy 24;
Kinsale 29, Kanturk 5;

Transfield Cup: Richmond 25, Shannon 8;

Junior 2 League South: Cork Constitution 16, Kanturk 13;
Muskerry 8, Old Christians 27;

Junior Friendly: Charleville 3, Newcastle West 27;

South Munster Under 19 League: Bandon 6, Cork Constitution 0;
Highfield 9, Crosshaven 3;

North Under 15 League Semi Final: Young Munster 5, Newcastle West 10;