Weekend Rugby Roundup

In a busy weekend of rugby action, Nenagh Ormond moved closer to promotion from Division 2A of the Energia Men’s All Ireland League as UL Bohs snatched a late victory in the Energia Women’s AIL, and in the Junior League, St Mary’s were crowned Division 2 champions, but relegation issues in Division 1 and 2 have yet to be decided.

Nenagh Ormond have opened up an 11 point advantage at the top of Division 2A of the Men’s All Ireland League, with three games remaining, following their 52-7 home win against Ballymena. Willie Coffey and Davy Gleeson each scored two tries for the Tipperary side, and John O’Flaherty, Josh Rowland, Nicky Irwin, and John Healy got one each. Conor McMahon kicked six conversions.

In the Women’s All Ireland a dramatic last minute try by Aoife Corey gave leaders U.L. Bohemian a 17-15 win away to Blackrock College. Stephanie Nunan and Fiona Reidy were U.L. Bohs other try scorers. Kate Flannery added a conversion.

First half tries from Ellie Cournane, and Ciara Fleming were not enough for Ballincollig, who lost 63-10 at home to second placed Railway Union,

In Division 1 of the Junior League three of the places in next year’s All Ireland Junior Cup have been decided with Thomond, Mallow and Kilfeacle qualifying, while the final spot is between Newcastle West, Sunday’s Well and Skibbereen.

Should Thomond qualify for the All-Ireland League, then two of those clubs will qualify for the All-Ireland Junior Cup and just one side would be relegated from Division 1 and 2.

Champions Thomond finished their League campaign with a 17-15 win away to Thurles, thanks to a last minute try from Colin Slater, which Adam Guerin converted. Thurles who led 15-5 at half time had tries from Sean McGrath and Mark Cummins, with Jack Flanagan kicking a conversion and a penalty. Colin Haigney and Cian McGrath were Thomond’s other try scorers.

Mallow finished as runners up to Thomond following their 27-14 home win against Richmond. Tries by Dillon Cotter and Aaron McCluskey both converted by Jack Cross gave Richmond an early lead, but two tries from Sean Glynn and one each by Stephen Hayes and Jimmy Glynn, plus two conversions and a penalty by Jimmy Glynn were enough to give Mallow the spoils.

Kilfeacle secured their top four finish with a 26-14 away win in Bandon. Bob Purcell and Darren Lowry each scored two tries for Kilfeacle and Luke Heuston added three conversions. Scott Kingston replied with a try for Bandon and Dylan Barr kicked three penalties.

Sunday’s Well kept their outside chances of a top four finish alive with a 35-19 away win at Clonakilty. In a closely fought opening half the ‘Well led 14-7 at the interval, but a strong second half saw them finish comfortable winners. Finn MacFhlannchadha, Jamie O’Leary (2), Shane O’Neill and Cathal Quinn were the ‘Well try scorers, with Logan Henry converting all five tries. Conor Hayes, Cathal O’Regan, and Dave Jennings replied with tries for Clonakilty, and Eoin Downey kicked two conversions.

Charleville won their bottom of the table clash at home to Clanwilliam with a 13-10 victory. Jake Madigan scored a try for Charleville and Jack Doyle added a conversion and two penalties. Clanwilliam replied with tries by Ben Downey and Niall Sharpe.

Kanturk ensured their place in the top flight next season when they scored 4 tries in their 31-22 away defeat by Newcastle West. Tadgh McSweeney, Sean O’Brien, Brian O’Sullivan, and Andrew Vaughan scored tries for Kanturk and Paul O’Keeffe added one conversion.

St Mary’s travelled to Crosshaven in a game that doubled up as a Junior Cup tie and came out on top on a 33-19 scoreline. Indiscipline proved costly for Crosshaven as they were reduced to fourteen players midway through the opening half following a red card and a few yellow cards did not help their cause. Aaron Nunan, Keith Hyland, Cian Clohessy, Tyrone O’Halloran, and Paul Loughran were the Mary’s try scorers. Loughran kicked four conversions. Graham Smith scored two tries for the home side, and Mikey Collins added a try and two conversions.

St. Senans kept their outside hopes of promotion alive with a 36-17 home win against Kinsale and this game also doubled up a Junior Clubs Shield semi-final. Evan O’Connor scored two tries for Senan’s, and Craig Riordan, Brian Collins, Declan Collins, and Conor Ferns got one each. Declan Rowe kicked two conversions and Craig Airey one. David Loney, Andrew O’Connell, and Mark O’Connell were Kinsale’s try scorers. Dylan Lacey kicked one conversion.

Four of the five sides battling relegation all recorded bonus point wins.

Bottom side Ballincollig needed a last minute converted try to beat Cobh Pirates 30-28 at the Paddocks. Ryan Hennessy (2), Dion Burke, Jason O’Connor, and Matt Burke were Ballincollig’s try scorers. Eoin Sweeney kicked a conversion and a penalty. Hamish Timms, Josh Crone, and Storm Le Roux replied with tries for the Pirates. Rory Pierce kicked two conversions and three penalties.

Despite pickling up two points in their game with Waterpark, Galbally-Mitchelstown are now bottom of the table after their 35-34 defeat at Ballinakill. Gary Walsh scored three tries for Waterpark, and Finn Brady  and Callum Dooley Cullinane got one each. Willie Walsh kicked five conversions. Two tries from Kevin Cooke and one each by John Kerins and David Norris,  were the Galbally-Mitchelstown try scorers. Pa Shanahan converted all four tries as well as adding two penalties.

Youghal recorded their second successive bonus point win with a 32-17 home victory against Fethard. Nathan O’Halloran, Kelvin Yellop, Sean Hennessy, Steven Kelly, and Jordan Yellop were Youghal’s try scorers. O’Halloran kicked two conversions and a penalty. Toby Collier, michael Flanagan, and Robert wall replied with tries for Fethard. Peter Wall converted one of the tries.

Fermoy defeated Abbeyfeale 26-12 with tries from Dylan Foley, Ian Ahern, Paddy O’Donoghue, and Oran Leamy, Eoin Healy added three conversions. Jake Quirke and Dermot Buckley replied with tries for Abbeyfeale. Jamie O’Sullivan kicked one conversion.

In the only game played in the Third Division, Scariff defeated Chorca Dhuibhne 36-24 to finish in third place, their highest finish ever. Darragh Tracey, Paul O’Sullivan, Massi Dorro, and David Slevin scored tries for the Clare side, and Marc Loughran added three conversions. The home side replied with tries from Seamus Greaney, Odhran Slattery, Brian Devine, and Gearoid Walsh, with Devine kicking two conversions.