Weekend Rugby Roundup

Cashel moved back into the playoff places in Division 2A of the All Ireland League, as Nenagh Ormond and Old Crescent reach the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup Final and the weather plays havoc with the Munster Junior fixtures.

A new name will be added to the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup roll of honour, in the decider which is to be held next month.

Nenagh Ormond defeated Young Munster 32-31 in a superb game of rugby at Tom Clifford Park with Conor McMahon kicking his second penalty five minutes from the end to decide the contest.

Nenagh dominated the opening half and were leading 19-18 approaching the interval with tries from David Gleeson, Rob Buckley and Conor O’Shaughnessy and Mc Mahon kicked two conversions.

Tries from Arron Roulston and Bailey Faloon along with two penalties from Julian Leszczynski kept the home side in the game, but on the stroke of half time Young Munster went ahead with a try from Oisin Pepper to lead 23-19 at the interval.

In an exciting second half the lead changed hands on five occasions. Josh Rowland restored Nenagh’s lead with a try and McMahon converted. Ihechi Oji put the home side back in front with a try 28-26. McMahon kicked a penalty ten minutes from time, but Leszczynski replied with a penalty to make it 31-29 and McMahon decided the epic match with his second penalty.

The other semi-final between Old Crescent and Clonmel at Takumi Park, was a close affair with Old Crescent leading 8-0 with ten minutes remaining, but the home side ran in four converted tries to give them a flattering 36-5 victory. Jamie Duggan scored two tries in added time and Joe McEnery, Karl Madden and Ben Davey also scored tries. Ronan McKenna kicked four conversions and a penalty. Dean Slattery was Clonmel’s try scorer.

Cashel got back into the play-off places in Division 2A of the All Ireland League with a 39-33 home win over fellow promotion chasers M.U. Barnhall. Joe Callery scored two of Cashel’s five tries and Alan Flannery, Ben Twomey and Diarmuid Rowe got one each. Twomey kicked four conversions and two penalties.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup only two games went ahead.

At Takumi Park, Old Crescent defeated Thurles 40-15 with tries from Jonathan Byrne, Tom McMahon, Kevin Doyle Dean O’Grady, John Moloney and Jack Neilan. Ben Davey kicked five conversions. Thurles replied with tries from Sean McGrath and Sam Quinlan. Jack Flanagan kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Highfield proved too strong for U.L. Bohemian at Annacotty running out 32-12 winners. Paddy Dineen scored two tries for Highfield and Aidan Keane and Ewan Kennedy got one each. Shane Buckley kicked three conversions and two penalties.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Plate Killarney caused a big upset in Clare, defeating Ennis 32-14. The home side led 14-5 at the interval with tries from Ben Geraghty and Shane Punch, and both were converted by Dylan Kenny. Finn Kennelly and Dave Howard each scored two tries for Killarney with Donnchadh Grealy and Tomas Clifford getting one apiece. Grealy added one conversion.

Dolphin defeated Waterpark 21-14 with tries from Sean O’Leary, Lincoln Kennedy and Billy O’Riordan. Ryan O’Herlihy converted all three tries. Brandon Volos and Willie Walsh replied with tries for Waterpark and Walsh converted both.

Clanwilliam booked their place in the quarter finals with a 40-17 away win at Tralee. Mathuin Carey and Jack Quinlan each scored two tries for the Tipperary side and Shane Leahy and Diarmuid Kinane got one each. Niall Leahy kicked four conversions and Brian Kissane one. This game also doubled up as a league game and the defeat means Tralee are relegated to Division 3 next season.

In the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Bowl Youghal travelled to Killorglin and booked their place in the semi-finals with a 26-17 victory. Jordan Yellop , Ben Ingamells, Oran Finn and Darragh Coleman scored tries for Youghal. Nathan O’Halloran kicked two conversions and Adam Malone one. Rob Lynch, Sane O’Neill and Mikey Houlihan replied with tries for Killorglin and Luke O’Shea added one conversion.

Fermoy eased their relegation worries with an 16-8 away win at Castleisland. Peter Finn scored a try for Fermoy and Eoin Healy converted and also added three penalties. Adan Jenson replied with a try for Castleisland and Joe Sheehy kicked a penalty.