Weekend Rugby Round-Up

There were victories for both Munster sides in the opening round of the All Ireland Women’s League, while the closing stages of the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup group games provided plenty of drama.

In the Women’s All Ireland League, Ballincollig travelled to Galwegians and defeated the Westerners 25-12 having trailed 12-5 at half time, with two tries from Heather Kennedy. Michelle O’Driscoll, Anna Roche and Róisín Ormond got one each.

UL Bohemian made the journey to Wicklow and won 27-7. Alana McInerney, Muirne Wall, Lily Brady and Laoise McGonagle scored tries for UL Bohs and they were also awarded a penalty try.

Cork Constitution topped Group 1 with a 34-17 win over Shannon at Temple Hill. Matt Bowen, Billy Scannell, Dan Hurley, James Taylor, Jack Kelleher, and Ronan O’Sullivan ran in tries for the Lilywhites. Michael Cooke and Alan Flannery replied with tries for Shannon, and Cooke converted both and also added a penalty.

Nenagh Ormond defeated Highfield 33-27 to finish in second place in this group. James Finn scored two tries for the Tipperary side, John Healy, Josh Rowland and Charlie O’Doherty got one each. Conor McMahon converted four of the tries. James Shanahan, Barry Spearman, and Miah Cronin got a try each. Shane O’Riordan kicked three conversions and a penalty, Shane Buckley also added a penalty.

A late rally by Garryowen at the Mardyke saw Garryowen defeat UCC 36-24 and thus finish top of Group 2 as a result of earning two winning bonus points as against one for holders Young Munster, who are eliminated from the competition. Jerónimo Pena scored two tries for the Light Blues and Kyle Read, JJ O’Neill, Colm Quilligan, and Nick Greene got one each. Oisin Fagan kicked three conversions.

A 31-8 bonus point home win saw Old Crescent finish top of Section 3 after they defeated Dolphin 31-8 at Takumi Park. Daryl Foley gave Dolphin an early lead with a penalty but three tries from Evan Conlon and two by Ronan McKenna was enough to give the home side top spot in this group. McKenna kicked three conversions. Eoghan Herlihy replied with a late try for the visitors.

A last minute converted try earned Midleton a 29-22 win over UL Bohemian at the Towns Park in Group 4. Ben McCarthy, Rian Hogan, and James Morrison scored tries for Midleton, who were also awarded a penalty try. Jack Colbert kicked three conversions and a penalty for the East Cork side.

Next week’s semi-finals will see Garryowen host Bruff at Dooradoyle, and Old Crescent will entertain Cork Constitution at Takumi Park.

A try, conversion and two penalties by Rob Cahill earned Muskerry a 13-7 away win over holders Mallow in the Cork County Cup. Sean Glynn was Mallow’s try scorer and James Hall converted.

Sunday’s Well making their debut in this competition had to rely on a last minute try from Alex Lane, which Harry Logan converted to earn a 27-26 away win at Kanturk, although Jack McCarthy was off target with a penalty kick in the final play of the game. Jamie O’Leary and Evan O’Connell were the ‘Well’s other try scorers. Logan converted all three tries and also added two penalties. Kanturk replied with two tries from Brian O’Sullivan, and one each by Conor O’Sullivan and Stanley Magwenzi, Kajus Goberis kicked two conversions and McCarthy added one.

Bandon cruised through to the semi-finals with a comfortable 46-5 home win over Charleville. Ralph O’Mahony (2), Josh Mahony, Kerry Desmond, Jay C van der Westhuizen, Matthew Crowley, Dan Lane and Kain Donnellan were Bandon’s try scorers. Nico Fernandez kicked two conversions and Dylan Barr one.

Clonakilty defeated Skibbereen 29-12 with 3 tries from Cathal O’Regan, and Olan Deane and Darragh O’Connell got one each. Jim Twomey kicked two conversions, Skibb’ replied with tries from Rory Byrne and Timothy Farrell. Jack O’Driscoll converted one of the tries.

Thomond defeated Newcastle West 30-19 in the Transfield Cup with tries from Adam Guerin, Jordan O’Donnell, and Jack Cosgrave. Evan Cusack kicked three penalties and three conversions. Brian Coleman replied with a try for Newcastle West and Shane Airey converted and also added four penalties.

A try by Evan O’Halloran and two penalties by Brian Mullins earned Richmond an 11-8 win over St. Mary’s at Grove Island.

In the other quarter final ties Shannon defeated Garryowen 50-15 and Old Crescent overcame St. Senan’s 41-14.

Old Christians defeated holders Kinsale 12-10 in the opening round of the O’Neill Cup. Mark Gleeson and Daniel Kelleher scored tries for the Rathcooney side and Conor Dolan kicked a conversion. Ian Costello scored Kinsale’s try which Dylan Lacey converted, and Robin O’Flynn kicked a penalty.

Youghal defeated Douglas 29-7 to setup an away semi-final with Old Christians next week. Jordan Yellop scored two tries for Youghal, Kevin Yellop and Killian Daly got a try each. Nathan O’Halloran converted three of the tries as well as kicking a penalty. Dave Sweetnam replied with a try for Douglas which Anton Brennan converted.

Crosshaven defeated Cobh Pirates 34-10 with two tries from Graham Smith, and Niall Deane, Shane Bushe, Miky Collins and Cian Long got one each. Ian Smith and Collins kicked a conversion each. Josh Crone and Alex Mulligan replied with tries for the Pirates.

Fermoy advanced to the last four with a 20-12 home win over Ballincollig. Darren Hartnett, Darren Lombard, and Ian Pratt scored tries for Fermoy, and Eoin Healy kicked a conversion and a penalty. Mark Burke and Cian Kilkenny scored tries for Ballincollig and Charlie Boland converted one.

Waterford City won the Casey Cup after they played a 15-15 draw with Carrick-on-Suir. Ethan O’Sullivan, Mikey O’Connor, and Peter Walsh scored tries for Waterford.