Weekend Rugby Roundup

There were away wins for both Kilfeacle and UCC in the quarter-finals of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup, as UL Bohemian finished top of the Energia Women’s AIL, and there were final victories for St. Mary’s and Clonmel in their respective competitions.

A big surprise at Temple Hill saw UCC hang on for a 24-22 win over Cork Constitution in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup. The home side led 12-10 at the interval and an unsuccessful conversion attempt in the last play of the game denied Cork Constitution the opportunity of sending the game into extra time. Daniel Squires and David Kiely scored tries for the Students, and David Cogan kicked a conversion and four penalties. Paul Graham replied with two tries for Cork Constitution, and Mark O’Connor and Peter Humphries got one each. Johnny Murphy kicked one conversion. Thomond will now travel to the Mardyke next Sunday to decide who will reach the final.

At Coonagh, a strong second half saw Kilfeacle defeat Shannon 22-17. Shannon led 10-7 at half time with a try from Luke Moylan and a conversion by Cillian O’Connor, but tries from Jacques van Wyngaardt, Kevin Doyle and Bob Purcell along with two conversions and a penalty by Luke Heuston edged Kilfeacle into a 22-10 lead. Scott Gleeson scored a late try for Shannon which O’Connor converted to leave the visitors with a home semi-final against Highfield next week.

UL Bohemian completed their Energia Women’s All Ireland League program with a 19-10 home win over Old Belvedere to finish top of the table, a point ahead of Railway Union, whom they will meet in the final on Sunday 28^th April. Chisom Ugwueru, Beth Buttimer, and Clodagh O’Halloran scored tries for UL Bohs and Kate Flannery kicked two conversions.

Clonmel won the Munster Junior Bowl for the first time with a 27-15 win over Killorglin in an exciting final at Virgin Media Park. A late try by Andrew Daly won it for the Tipperary side, after Killorglin had come from 22-13 down to lead by three points entering the final minutes. Alex Sheehan scored two tries for Clonmel and Darren Slattery and Harry Lane were their other try scorers. Ben O’Dwyer kicked one conversion. Rob Lynch, Conall Whelan, James Byrne and Donnacha Crowley scored tries for  Killorglin and Luke O’Shea added a conversion and a penalty.

St Mary’s won the Junior Clubs Challenge Shield for the first time with a 27-17 win over St. Senan’s at Jim Slattery Park. Zach Moloney (2) and Sean Duggan were the Mary’s try scorers and Paul Loughran kicked two conversions and two penalties. Jamie McNamara, Fergal Lawlor, and Declan Collins replied with tries for the Clare side and Garreth Airy added one conversion.

A losing bonus point was enough for Fermoy to secure their place in Division 2 of the Munster Junior League next season, after they lost their final league game at home to Fethard 17-15. This result means that Youghal will now be playing in the second Division next season. Toby Collier, Patrick Gaynor, and Peter Wall scored tries for Fethard and Wall converted one of the tries. Fermoy replied with tries from Ian Pratt, and Anthony Coady. Eoin Lacy added a conversion and a penalty.