Weekend Rugby Round Up

Cork Constitution and UCC reached the Division 1 play-off finals as Bruff missed out on promotion but Clonmel will be playing Senior rugby next season. There was also a defeat for the Munster Junior XV side.

Cork Constitution booked their place in their fourth All Ireland League final with an impressive 23-3 win over Dublin University at Temple Hill.

Aidan Moynihan contributed a try, three penalties and two conversions to his side’s tally with Sean French scoring a superb individual try.

Con’ will now meet Clontarf in next Sunday’s final at the Aviva Stadium.

UCC will face Old Wesley at the Mardyke in next Saturday’s Division 1B Promotion play-off final at the Mardyke after they saw off the challenge of Malone 27-11 at the same venue.

The students trailed 6-3 at half time but tries from James Taylor, Michael Clune and Murray Linn and three conversions and two penalties from Taylor saw the students book their final play-off place.

Bruff’s recent good run came to an end at Kilballyowen Park when Malahide defeated them 22-13 to win the Division 2C promotion play-off decider. Cian Clifford scored a try for Bruff and Davy O’Grady converted and also added two penalties.

At the fourth time of asking Clonmel will be playing in Division 2C of the All Ireland League next season after a penalty in added time from Dylan Cadogan saw them defeat Seapoint 15-12 in the Division 2C relegation play-off decider.

Playing into a gale in the opening half, Clonmel found themselves behind twice but tries from Andrew Daly and Luke Noonan and a Cadogan conversion saw the sides level 12-12 at half-time.

Despite playing against fourteen players it looked like the game was heading for extra time until Cadogan’s late strike and the Killiney Hill side were treated to several verses of Sliabhnamon.

Despite fielding 13 new caps, the Munster Junior side had to yield to a strong second-half rally from the defending champions Leinster who went on to win 19-13.

Skibbereen who were hosting their first Junior Interpro pulled out all the stops to host this event which saw the largest crowd to attend a rugby game at the Showgrounds.

Playing into a strong wind, Munster surprisingly led 5-0 at half-time with a try from Jamie Kind.

A penalty from Ben Ridgeway made it 8-0 early in the second-half before Leinster rallied to score three unanswered tries. Craig O’Connell scored for Munster in added time to secure a losing bonus point.

Munster Juniors: Derry O’Connor (Abbeyfeale) capt; Keelan Stephenson (Richmond), Craig O’Connell (Old Christians), Kerry Desmond (Bandon), Rob Armstrong (Kinsale); Ben Ridgeway (Bandon), Brian Bennett (Richmond); Vinny O’Regan (Fermoy), Scott Kingston (Bandon), Cathal Finn (Charleville); Olan Deane (Clonakilty), Brendan Childs (Galbally); Darragh Crowe (Clanwilliam), Tom Ferguson (Bandon), Jamie Kind (Crosshaven).

Replacements: Jerry McCormack (Thurles), Dave McCormack (Clanwilliam), Kieran Shannon (Skibbereen), Sean Walsh (Clanwilliam), Jack Green (Skibbereen), Sean Herlihy (Newcastle West), Eoin Lacey (Fermoy), Gary Kavanagh (Fethard), David Greene (Mallow).