Weekend Rugby Round-Up

The line-up for the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup semi-finals was completed this weekend as Kerry were crowned Women’s Munster Division 1 Cup champions with a facile win over Thurles.

A last-minute try by Gavin Heuston, converted by Luke Heuston earned Kilfeacle a dramatic 25-18 victory over Richmond at the Canal Bank in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup to book a home semi-final tie against UCC. A penalty by Gavin Heuston gave Kilfeacle an early 3-0 lead, but Richmond hit back with a try by Shane Halpin to take the lead. A Kevin Kinane try converted by Luke Heuston put the visitors back in front. Tadhg Bennett kicked a penalty for Richmond to leave the home side trailing 10-8 at halftime.

A try by Keith Bourke and a penalty by Luke Heuston put Kilfeacle 18-8 ahead. A red card for Kevin Kinane, saw Richmond draw level with a penalty and a conversion by Tadgh Bennett of a Lee Bennett try to tie the scores. With extra time looming Gavin Heuston’s try decided the contest.

In the other quarter-final tie, Young Munster were much too strong Galbally-Mitchelstown advancing on a 43-10 scoreline. Aidan Maher, Kelvin Brosnahan, Conor Nesbit, Luke Fitzgerald, Mark O’Mara, Werner Hoffman, and Paul Allen were the Young Munster try scorers. Brosnahan kicked four conversions. Brendan Childs and Sean Coughlan replied with tries for Galbally-Mitchelstown.

Young Munster will now travel to Garryowen in one semi-final and Kilfeacle will host UCC in the other with both games now scheduled for Sunday 23^rd April.

Holders Newcastle West advanced to the semi-finals of the Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup after a 31-24 home win against Bandon. Sean Murphy (2), Evan Donovan, and Sean Ivess scored tries for Newcastle West. Alex O’Halloran converted all four tries and also kicked a penalty to give the home side a 31-0 lead. Bandon hit back with a late rally with two tries from Dylan O’Driscoll and one each by Rob McCarthy and Ben Ridgeway, with Ridgeway converting two of the tries.

There was no joy for UCC in the semi-finals of the Frazer McMullen U20 Cup as they lost 38-30 to Dublin University at the Mardyke.

In the final series of games in the Women’s AIL, UL Bohemian qualified for the final after receiving a walkover from Old Belvedere. They will now face Railway Union in the Cup Final in two weeks’ time.

Ballincollig suffered another heavy defeat losing 86-7 at home to Galwegians. Roisin Ormond scored Ballincollig’s try and Denise Redmond converted.

Kerry proved too strong for Thurles in the Women’s Division 1 Cup Final at Musgrave Park winning 79-7.  Vanessa Dineen (3), Caoilainn Healy (3), Ashlea Sheehy (2), Joanne Daly, Christine Arthurs, Kayleigh Moriarty, and Emily O’Regan were the Kerry side’s try scorers. Laoise O’Driscoll kicked seven conversions. Kaitlyn Callanan replied with a try for Thurles and Emer Ryan converted.

Ennis-Kilrush won the Women’s Division 2 Cup Final with a 35-0 win over Midleton.