Weekend Rugby Roundup

After the weekend games in the Munster Junior League, a gap is beginning to emerge at the  top of all Three Divisions.

Thomond made it four bonus point wins from four in Division 1 after they were pushed all the way by a gallant Kanturk side before emerging from the Duhallow venue with a 42-31victory. With minutes remaining Thomond’s lead was just a point but a penalty from Jason Kiely and a conversion  of a try by Jake Connoly ensured that the holders would maintain their unbeaten start. Werner Kruger, Luke Costelloe, Joshua Dillon, Connolly and Andrew Lyons were the other try scorers for Thomond. Kiely converted two of the tries and also added a penalty. Andy Vaughan (2), Paul O’Keeffe, Brian O’Sullivan and Sean O’Brien were the Kanturk try scorers. O’Keeffe kicked three conversions.

Bandon  maintained their challenge with a 45-3  away win at Crosshaven to remain just a point behind the leaders. Ralph O’Mahony scored two tries for the winners, and Scott Kingston, Colm McCarthy. Kain Donnellan, Mark Bateman and Zach Allen got one each. Hugh O’Mahony kicked four conversions and Jerry Crowley one. Kealan Daly replied with a penalty for Crosshaven.

Kilfeacle continued their challenge with a narrow 24-22 away win at Clonakilty. Jacques van Wyngaardt scored two of Kilfeacle’s four tries with Brendan Barron and Gavin Heuston getting one each. Luke Heuston converted two of the tries. Henry Miles, Ben Lovett and Rob Howick replied with tries for Clonakilty and Howick added two conversions and a penalty.

St. Mary’s maintained their excellent start with a 25-20 away win at Newcastle West. Robin Gallagher, Aaron Nunan and Adam Guerin were the Saints try scorers, with Guerin kicking two conversions and two penalties. James Guina and Aaron Rice were the try scorers for Newcastle West, with Guina converting both and also adding two penalties.

Sunday’s Well made it back to back wins with a 29-21 away win at Mallow, but the home side felt hard done by the referee that he failed to see them ground the ball in the final minute for a fourth try, which would have earned them two points. Nariano Cosimi, Andrew Mintern, Alex Lane were the ‘Well try scorers and they were also awarded a penalty try. Cian Maguire kicked two conversions and a penalty. Jimmy Glynn, Chris O’Regan and Conor Ellis replied with tries for Mallow and Hunter Cowen converted all three.

Muskerry suffered their first defeat as they lost 17-5 away to Richmond. Paul O’Shea, Eoin Hanley and Jack O’Hanlon were the Richmond try scorers and Brian Mullins converted one. Tom Griffin replied with a try for Muskerry.

Skibbereen defeated Thurles 20-11 at the Tipperary venue. Kieran Shannon, Daniel Kingston, and Christopher Benn were the Skibb’ try scorers. Xavier McEldowney added a conversion and a penalty. Matt Kelly scored a try for Thurles and James Maher kicked two penalties.

Clanwilliam continued their great run in Division 2 with another big win, defeating Abbeyfeale 57-10. Gavin Downey (2), John Richardson, Darragh Crowe, Mark Costigan, Tom Rhatigan, Diarmuid Kinnane and Edward Nolan were Clan’s try scorers. Niall Leahy kicked seven conversions and a penalty. Jamie O’Sullivan replied with a try, conversion and a penalty for Abbeyfeale.

Old Christians remain a point behind Clanwilliam in second place after their 26-10 away win at Cobh. Jamie Hayes, Cian Smyth, Lazio Rabatin, Ivan Tripp and David Ahern scored tries for the Rathcooney side. John Marnell kicked four conversions and a penalty. Cian McNamara replied with a try for the Pirates and Mikey White kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Ennis moved up to third place with a 29-21 away win at Castleisland. Cian Guilfoyle scored two of the Clare side’s four tries, with Brendan Keane, Oisin Mangan and Callum Barrett getting the other tries. Mangan kicked two conversions. Kevin Lenihan and Mike Cronin replied with tries for the home side, and they were also awarded a penalty try. Joe Sheehy and Connie Reynolds each kicked a conversion.

Ballincollig bounced back after their recent heavy defeat by Clanwilliam with a 56-12 away win at Fermoy. Robbie McSweeney, Cian Kilkenny, Oscar Early, Diarmuid Phelan, Nick O’Shea, Jamie Gogarty, Patrick Kelly and Liam McGarry scored tries for Ballincollig. Phelan converted all eight tries. Aidan Foley and Oran Leamy replied with tries for Fermoy and Eoin Lacey kicked a conversion.

Charleville defeated Fethard 20-13 with tries from Liam Barrett, Jack Barett and Jake Madigan. Kian Smith kicked a conversion and a penalty. Mike Lawrence replied with a try for Fethard and Peter Wall converted and also added two penalties.

Waterpark defeated Kinsale 33-23 with tries from Brandon Vosloo, Ben Daly, Ollie McAllister, Jack Mackey and Tom Griffiths. Daly kicked four conversions. Kinsale had tries from Mattie O’Donovan and Fionn Aherne. They were also awarded a penalty try. Dylan Lacey kicked two penalties.

Youghal made it three wins from three with a 27-25 away win at Killarney in Division 3. Oran Finn, Rory Fitzgerald and Darragh Coleman were the Youghal try scorers. They were also awarded a penalty try. Nathan O’Halloran kicked a conversion and a penalty. Killarney replied with tries from Diarmuid Carr, Donnchadh Grealy and Stephen Walsh. Ciaran O’Brien kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Corca Dhuibhne moved up to second place with a 29-19 win at Scariff. Eoin Ó Suilleabhain scored two tries for the Gaeltacht side with Mikey Devine and Brian Ó Murchú getting the others. Joseph Delaney kicked three conversions and a penalty. Scariff replied with two tries from Donal Moloney and one by David Slevin. Marc Loughran kicked two conversions.

Waterford City defeated Douglas 34-15. Naoise Mac Cathmhaoil and Aaron Smith scored two tries each for the Suirsiders and Seaghan Walsh got one. Darren Walsh converted three of the tries and also added a penalty. David McCarthy and Daniel Cafferkey replied with tries for Douglas. Charlie Devine kicked a penalty and Eoin Philpott a conversion.

Killorglin got their first win of the campaign with a 13-3 home win against Ardscoil Old Boys. Luke O’Shea got a try, conversion and two penalties for the Kerry side. Jamie More replied with a penalty for Ardscoil.

Dungarvan defeated Galbally-Mitchelstown 28-21, with two tries from Daniel Slevin and one each by Reinhard Groenewald and Adam Power. David Hickey converted all four tries. David Sheehan (2) and David Norris one were the visitors try scorers and Pa Shanahan converted all three.