Munster Junior Plate Update

Muskerry go through to Plate Final with a win against Ennis, while Cashel win a place in Semi final after defeating Bruff

Sunday 27th March 2005

MUNSTER JUNIOR PLATE UPDATE

Munster Junior Plate Semi-Final: Muskerry 6 Ennis 3 (Muskerry, 2.30pm)

Munster Junior Plate Quarter Final: Cashel 26 Bruff 5 (Cashel, 3pm)

MUSKERRY BOOK PLACE IN MUNSTER JUNIOR PLATE FINAL

Muskerry will contest the Munster Junior Plate final after a tight 6-3 win over Ennis on Sunday. Both sides had missed opportunities to put more scores on the board throughout the game. After a tight first half, the home team went ahead with a converted penalty by scrum half Ian O Sullivan close to half time. Ennis came back after the restart with an on target penalty kicked by substitute Brian Murphy seven minutes into the half. He replaced out half David Murphy who suffered a serious knee injury. For Ennis, it was certainly the one that got away, with six attempts at goal missed during the game. Muskerry held on, and clinched the win with another Ian O Sullivan kick with eight minutes to go. Having been beaten by Crosshaven in the Junior Cup, Muskerry had a decisive 16-0 win over Killarney in the first round of the Plate. They knocked out Sunday s Well in the next round with a 12-13 result. Clonmel were their opponents in the quarter final, and Muskerry clinched their place in the semi final with a 7-16 win away from home. With players such as scrum half Ian O Sullivan, out half Denis O Leary leading the attack, Muskerry are tough opponents, and will be confident of a strong performance in the final, where they will meet the winners of Cobh Pirates and Cashel.

Muskerry Team: 15. JJ Hurley, 14. John Kelleher, 13. Cormac O Donoghue, 12. Edward Long, 11. Eoin Mitchell, 10. Damien Curran, 9. Ian O Sulllivan, 1. Liam O Sullivan, 2. John Tiernan, 3. Alan Browne, 4. Martin Moriarty, 5. Liam O Connor, 6. Shane Murphy, 7. Willie Healy, 8. Shane O Connor

Ennis Team: 15. Aidan Considine, 14. Niall McGann, 13. Alan Malone, 12. Niall Nevin, 11. Adrian Pilkington, 10. David Murphy, 9. Colin Murphy, 1. Eric McInerney, 2. Jeff O Donoghue, 3. Michael McInerney, 4. Nigel Moloney, 5. Darragh McNamara, 6. Liam Wolfe, 7. Roy Duggan, 8. Declan Flynn Subs: Brian Murphy for David Murphy, Declan Ryan for Nigel Moloney

CONVINCING CASHEL SET FOR SEMI FINAL CLASH WITH COBH PIRATES

Cashel powered their way to the Munster Junior Plate Semi Final with a convincing display against Bruff on Sunday.

Cashel winger Greg Ryan picked up a hat trick of tries in the first half, one of which was converted by out half Trevor Breen to give Cashel a 17-0 cushion at half time. Scrum half Oliver McLinchey added another try in the second half, with conversions from Ryan and his replacement Ray Egan. With plenty of open style rugby in the first half, the second half was a different affair, with the game scrappy for much of the half. Despite the result, Bruff exerted constant pressure on the Cashel defence throughout the second half. Bruff were rewarded when replacement Andrew Howig picked up five points near the end of the game, after a huge effort by Bruff who remained camped on the Cashel line for much of the half.

Cashel will now play Cobh Pirates in the second semi final of the Munster Junior Plate, with the winners due to play Muskerry, after their win over Ennis in their semi final.

Cashel Team: 15. Jack Maher, 14. James Hannigan, 13. Patrick O Connor, 12. Eamonn Foley, 11. Greg Ryan, 10. Trevor Breen, 9. Oliver McLinchey, 1. Michael Hickey, 2. Edward Thompson, 3. Paddy Kelly, 4. Pat Donoghue, 5. Edwin Lonergan, 6. Eoin O Connor, 7. Kevin Leamy, 8. Edward Leamy (captain) Subs: Ray Egan for Trevor Breen, Philip Ryan for Pat Donoghue, Florren for Lonergan.

Bruff Team: 15. Derek Dowling, 14. Leo McGrath, 13. Alan Burke, 12. Michael O Callaghan, 11. Ger O Donoghue, 10. Trevor Fitzgerald, 9. Mossie O Donnell, 1. Finn O Boyle, 2. Kevin Carroll, 3. Cormac Hayes, 4. Joe Power captain, 5. JP Maloney, 6. Tom O Neill, 7. John Shine, 8. Eoin Carroll Subs: Philip Hogan for Tom O Neill, Andrew Howig for Finn O Boyle