Provincial Rugby Roundup

There was a dramatic conclusion to the relegation battle in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, as the pairings for the Third Round of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup were announced on completion of the Second Round ties.

The remaining relegation place from Division 1 which involved three sides, took a lot of deciphering after the games were finished to see who the unlucky side would be relegated.

The teams involved were Clanwilliam, Old Christians and Thurles and all finished on the same number of points, same number of wins, draws and total bonus points.

Clanwilliam and Old Christians had five 4-try bonus points, and Thurles four, and so it is Thurles who will be playing in Division 2 next season.

Thurles defeated Old Christians 29-26, with tries from Sam Quinlan, Dan Lanigan Ryan, Sean McGrath and James Theron. Fionn Fogarty kicked three conversions and a penalty. Old Christians replied with tries from Connor Dolan. Tim Hegarty, Mark Deane and Niall McCarthy, with Sammy Haberlin kicking three conversions. So it was the four try bonus point and losing bonus point that kept the Rathcooney side in the topflight next season.

Clanwilliam did the business in Skibbereen, defeating the home side 26-14 and scoring four tries. Gavin Dempsey, Ronan O’Connor, Jack Armshaw and John Richardson scored Clan’s tries and Niall Leahy kicked three conversions.

In the other League game St. Mary’s defeated Kanturk 50-21 with two tries from Jack Madigan and one each by Ed Kelly, Nathan Walsh, Paul Loughran, Paul Curtis, Daire Farragher and Adam Guerin. Guerin kicked five conversions. Eanna O’Mahony, Stephen McAuliffe and Conor O’Sullivan replied with tries for Kanturk and paul O’Keffee added three conversions.

In the Bank of Ireland Junior Cup, Douglas caused a surprise with a 40-24 home win against Tralee, to book a home tie against Muskerry in Round Three. Cian Twomey scored two tries for Douglas and Ben O’Flynn, Rory Lynch and Peter Devine got one each. Patrick Carey kicked three conversions and three penalties. Ronan O’Sullivan, Ben Glavin and Leon Tanfin scored tries for Tralee. Tanfin kicked two conversions and a penalty, with Ben Quilter also adding a conversion.

Third Division champions Killarney defeated relegated Fethard 46-7. Donnachadh Grealy scored two tries for the Kerry side and Matt McAuliffe, Finn Kenneally, Harry Kelly, Mikey Moriarty and Craig McKenzie Vass got one each. Kelly kicked two conversions and Ciaran O’Brien one. James Ryan replied with a try for Fethard and Sean Fitzgerald converted.

Ballincollig defeated Youghal 29-17 to book a trip to Killarney in the next round. Aaron Hurley scored two tries for Ballincollig and John Hogan and Diarmuid Phelan got one apiece. Adam Dodd kicked three conversions and a penalty. Youghal replied with tries from John Coleman, Kelvin Yellop and Rory Fitzgerald. Nathan O’Halloran kicked one conversion.

In a high scoring game in Cobh, Carrick-on-Suir defeated the hosts 48-46. Jack Boylan scored five tries for Carrick’, Ronan Costello got two and James Daly one. Fionn Barry kicked four conversions. Cillian McCoitor, Kilian O’Connell, Brian O’Dwyer, Saul Kahn, Josh Crone and Jack Worrall replied with tries for the Pirates and Mick White kicked five conversions and two penalties. Carrick will host Nenagh Ormond in the next round.

Cashel recorded an 18-11 away win at Fermoy with tries from Paudie Leamy and Jack Kennedy. Ryan O’Sullivan kicked two penalties and a conversion. Reece Fitzgerald replied with a try for Fermoy and Eoin Lacey added two penalties. Cashel will host Mallow in Round Three.

Shannon will travel to Clanwilliam in the next round, after their 64-31 home win against Midleton. David Smith (3), Rhys Tucker (2), Marcus Moloney, David Keane, Scott Gleeson, Conor McCarthy and Alex Kennedy were the Shannon try scorers and Aaron Byrne kicked seven conversions. Jack Nesdale, Joe Connolly, Odhran Mahony and Darragh Daly (2) replied with tries for Midleton, Mahony kicked three conversions.

U.L. Bohemian defeated Clonmel 36-19 to earn a home tie against Kilfeacle. Mihlali Mgolodela scored two tries for The Robins and Conor Sheehan, Evan Lacey and Ola Ogunkoya got one each. They were also awarded a penalty try. Matthew Coonan kicked two conversions. Dave Coyne replied with two tries for Clonmel and Alan Slattery got one. Aidan Hickey kicked two conversions.

Dolphin defeated St. Senan’s 48-36 at Virgin Media Park. James Kennedy, David Webb, Jamie Taylor, Mikey Quinn, Darragh Tracey and Shane Birchall scored tries for Senan’s and Declan Rowe added three conversions.

Scariff booked their place in the semi-finals of the Munster Junior Bowl and a trip to Dungarvan, after their 42-37 home win against Waterford City. Tomas Minogue scored two tries for Scariff, and Sean Collins, Jason Monaghan, Andrew Hogan and Cian Foley got one each. Alex Boblea kicked two penalties and three conversions.

Bandon and Kilfeacle reached the final of the Junior Clubs Challenge Cup with away wins.

Bandon travelled to Richmond and won 30-23. Padraig Galvin, Tadhg Galvin, Ben Donegan, Kain Donnellan and Conor Nash scored tries for Bandon and Daniel Coughlan kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Darragh Joyce replied with two tries for Richmond and James Reeves and Tom McMahon got one each. Shane Purcell kicked a penalty.

Kilfeacle were 18-13 winners against Sunday’s Well at Virgin Media Park. Jamie Heuston and Kevin Doyle scored tries for Kilfeacle and Luke Heuston kicked two penalties and a conversion. Ryan Buckley replied with a try for the Well and Ciaran Maguire converted and added two penalties.