Provincial Rugby Roundup
26th January 2025 By Leonard Allen

Over fifty percent of games scheduled in the province were postponed due to the recent weather conditions and refixing them will cause problems.
Six of the eleven scheduled games in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup went ahead but all three games in the Bowl were postponed.
In the Junior Cup Carrick-on-Suir’s great season continues as they knocked out Ennis 20-7. Jack Boylan and Braedon Wheeler scored tries for Carrick’ and Fionn Barry converted both and also added two penalties. Carrick’ will now host Mallow in the Third round, while Ennis will play Killarney in the Junior Plate.
Killarney lost at home to Cobh Pirates 20-15. Killian O’Connell, Cian Aherne and Stewart Lynch scored tries for the Prates and Rory Price kicked a conversion and a penalty. Donnchadh Grealy. Alan Mulligan and Chris Doody replied with tries for Killarney. Cobh will now entertain Abbeyfeale in Round 3 of the Cup.
Abbeyfeale made the short journey to Tralee and defeated the home side 29-15. Caoimhin Barron scored two tries for the winners, and Andrew Curtin, John Forde and Sean Bates got one each. Barron kicked two conversions. Tralee will now await the losers of the Cashel v Clanwilliam tie in the Plate.
Charleville got the better of Dolphin at Virgin Media Park with a narrow 18-15 victory. Cillian Cotter and Liam Barrett were the Charleville try scorers and Kian Smith kicked two penalties and a conversion. Eoghan Herlihy replied with two tries for Dolphin and Ryan Herlihy kicked a conversion and a penalty. Charleville will be at home to the winners of Clonmel or St. Senan’s in the next round, while Dolphin will host Waterpark in the Plate.
Old Christians were comfortable 55-5 home winners against Kinsale and this game also doubled up as a league tie. Dan Kelleher and Mark Gleeson each scored two tries each, and Mark Deane, Arron Coade, Conor Dolan, Niall McCarthy and Oscar Clarke got one apiece. Harry Martin kicked three conversions and Kelleher added two. Old Christians will be away to St Mary’s in Round 3, while Kinsale must await the winners of Tralee, Cashel or Clanwilliam in the Plate.
Old Crescent defeated Waterpark 24-11 with tries from Jayson Aylward, Eoghan Quinn, Conor Hogan and Ciaran Cusack. Aaron Cosgrove and Hogan each kicked a conversion. Waterpark replied with a try from Luke Murphy and two Willie Walsh penalties. Old Crescent will host Thurles in the next round and Waterpark will travel to Dolphin in the Plate.
Kanturk have moved up to fourth place in Division 1 of the Junior league after their 17-13 away win at Thurles. Brian O’Sullivan (Kilbrin) and Paul O’Keeffe scored tries for Kanturk and O’Keeffe converted both and also added a penalty. Ciaran Ryan scored a try for Thurles and Jack Flanagan kicked two penalties.
Thomond booked their place in the final of the Junior Clubs Challenge after a 13-11 home win against Kilfeacle in a thrilling contest. A try from Shane Kelly and a conversion and penalty by Eoghan Sherlock gave Thomond a 10-6 interval lead. Luke Heuston kicked two penalties for the Tipperary side. Sherlock extended Thomond’s advantage with a penalty but a try by Gavin Heuston was as close as Kilfeacle came to causing an upset.
The full draw for the Third Round of the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup is –
Charleville v Clonmel or St. Senan’s,
U.L. Bohemian or Fethard v Highfield,
Kilfeacle v Richmond,
Thomond v Young Munster,
Muskerry v Sunday’s Well,
St. Mary’s v Old Christians,
Newcastle West v Crosshaven,
Ballincollig v Shannon,
Cashel or Clanwilliam v Garryowen,
Nenagh Ormond v Clonakilty,
Bandon v Bruff or Midleton,
Cobh Pirates v Abbeyfeale,
Carrick-on-Suir v Mallow,
Cork Constitution v Skibbereen,
Old Crescent v Thurles,
Kanturk v U.C.C.