Weekend Rugby Round Up

There was plenty of Cup and League action this weekend as Cork Constitution booked their place in the Bateman Cup final against Lansdowne and Newcastle West go top in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League.

Cork Constitution reached the Bateman Cup final with a 38-10 victory away to Sligo. All the damage was done in the opening half as three tries from winger Barry Galvin and one each from Vincent O’Brien and Alex McHenry gave them a 31-5 interval lead. Gerry Hurley kicked three conversions. McHenry added another try after the break and Hurley converted.

There were some shock defeats in the opening round of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup as both Sunday’s Well and Cobh Pirates made their exit.

Mitchelstown continued their recent exploits in this competition with an 18-8 away win over Sunday’s Well at Musgrave Park. Morgan Fox and John Landers were try scorers for the north Cork side and Pa Magee added a conversion and two penalties. Javier Ruiz Herrera replied with a try for the ’Well and Rob Egar kicked a penalty.

Mitchelstown’s reward will be a home tie against Cashel in the next round.

The 2006 winners Cobh Pirates were unexpectedly beaten away to Scariff after they lost 15-9. The Clare side led 10-6 at half time with a try from Evan McMahon and a conversion and penalty from Jason Monaghan to two penalties from Adam Devlin. Shane Casey scored a second try for Scariff and Devlin kicked his third penalty.

Scariff will be at home to neighbours Ennis in Round 2 after the Clare side defeated Clonmel 12-5 at the Tipperary venue. Mike Lyons and Johnny Martin scored tries for Ennis and Ronan O’Halloran added one conversion. Matthew Hynes was Clonmel’s try scorer.

Bantry Bay were impressive 37-14 winners away to Douglas-Carrigaline at Wilton. Garrett Murphy, Liam Lynch, James McGlinchey, Danny Hutchinson, Kevin Holland, John Hennessy and Pronsais Cronin were their try scorers and Hutchinson added one conversion. Luke Johnson replied with two tries for Douglas-Carrigaline and Padraig McSweeney converted both. Bantry will travel to Old Crescent in Round Two.

Dunmanway put up a brave performance at home to Bruff before going down 14-8.  Liam Treacy and Eric Finn scored tries for Bruff with Finn converting both. Ben McCarthy scored Dunmanway’s try and Darragh McCarthy added a penalty. Bruff will now host Dungarvan in the next round.

Waterford City edged out Youghal in a thriller 24-23. Alan Frahill and Scott O’Sullivan scored tries for Youghal. Jonathan Ormond kicked a conversion and three penalties. Killian Daly also added a conversion.

Killorglin won the Kerry derby 14-11 against Killarney in a game that also doubled up as a league game.

It was 3-3 at half time with Brendan Fuller opening the scoring with a penalty for Killarney and Luke O’Shea replied for the home side. O’Shea and Fuller exchanged penalties before a third O’Shea penalty and an a Timmy Lynch try put Killorglin in a 14-6 lead. Brian Lynch scored a late try as Killarney tried to save the game. Killorglin will entertain Kanturk in Round 2.

In Division 1 of the Munster Junior League Newcastle West have moved to the top of the table after their 33-26 home win over Clanwilliam. Brian O’Sullivan, Ted Walters, Michael Burke and Sean Ivess scored tries for Newcastle West who were also awarded a penalty try. Sean Herlihy kicked two conversions. Gavin Downey and Dave McCormack replied with tries for Clanwilliam. Niall Leahy kicked three penalties and Darragh Burke added a penalty and two conversions.

A late converted try helped Kilfeacle to a 13-11 away win at Mallow. The North Cork side led 11-3 at half time with Jimmy Glynn scoring a try and two penalties to a Willie Staunton penalty. Staunton kicked a second penalty and converted Dan Lowry’s try to preserve Kilfeacle’s unbeaten record as they now trail the leaders by a point with a game in hand.

A try from Tadgh Cullinane converted by Rory Byrne gave Skibbereen a 7-3 half time lead at home to Thomond but a try by Ryan Ahern and a conversion and a penalty by Eoghan Sherlock gave the Limerick side victory 10-7.

Bandon had a 20-10 away win at Bandon. The winners were awarded a penalty try and Gearoid O’Leary also scored a try. Ben Ridgeway added a conversion and two penalties. Conor Dunlea replied with a try for the home side and Cian McGovern kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Clonakilty kept a top four finish alive with an 8-7 away win at home to Waterpark. Damian Kozik scored a try and Graham Murray added a penalty for Clonakilty. Alex Deegan scored a try for Waterpark and Alex Molloy added a penalty.

Bottom side St. Senan’s lost at home to Abbeyfeale 16-13. Derry O’Connor scored a try, conversion and three penalties for the winners. Stephen Ryan replied with two tries for Senan’s and Aidan Dwyer kicked a penalty.

Old Christians received a walk over from Castleisland to go back on top of Division 2.

Muskerry kept their promotion hopes alive with a 62-0 home win over Tralee running in ten tries. Joe Treacy scored two tries and Ciaran O’Connor, Brian McCarthy, Mark Jones, Pat Rourke, Dave Kiely, Jonathan Buckley, Liam O’Connor and Killian Horgan got one each. Robbie Cahill kicked six conversions.

Thurles recorded a 31-10 away win over Thurles. Eoghan O’Dwyer, Colin Nolan, Darragh Sweeney and Ciaran Ryan scored tries for Thurles. Jack Flanagan converted all four tries and also added a penalty. Josef O’Connor replied with a try, conversion and penalty for Fethard.