Provincial Rugby Roundup

The top three sides in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League all recorded bonus point victories, as Crosshaven took over top spot in Division 2.

Yet again a late try helped Kilfeacle preserve their unbeaten run with a 27-24 home win against Kanturk. Bob Purcell scored three of Kilfeacle’s five tries with Keith Bourke and Kevin Kinnane getting one each. Gareth Thomas added one conversion. Dylan O’Connnor, Tadgh McSweeney and Conor O’Sullivan replied with tries for Kanturk and all three were converted by Paul O’Keeffe, who also kicked a penalty.

Clonakilty took maximum points from their home game with Richmond on a 28-11 scoreline. Ben Lovell scored two tries for the West Cork side and Niall Barrett, Pa McCarthy and Kieran Howlin got one each. Barrett also kicked a penalty. Keith McCarthy replied with a try for Richmond and Shane Purcell kicked two penalties.

Mallow are level on points with Clonakilty a point behind leaders Kilfeacle, after their 36-24 away win at Bandon. Thomas Malfonado scored two tries for the winners, and Sam Glynn and Jimmy Glynn got one each. Riley Harrison kicked four penalties and two conversions. Bandon replied with tries from Kain Donnellan; Padraig Galvin, Peter Galvin and a penalty try. Dylan Barr kicked one conversion.

Sunday’s Well unbeaten run came to an end in Limerick when they suffered a 17-13 defeat against St. Mary’s. Shane Mullally and Stephen Hayes scored tries for the Saints and Paul Loughran converted both and also added a penalty. Cormac Kelliher replied with a try for the ‘Well and Jazz Pendejito converted and kicked two penalties.

Clanwilliam moved further away from the relegation zone with a late try to beat Thurles 29-27. Brendan Quinlan, Ronan O’Connor, Edward Nolan and Jack Quinlan scored tries for Clanwilliam and Niall Leahy added three conversions and a penalty. Thurles replied with tries from Cian Ralph, Sonny Dwyer, James O’Mara and James Maher, with Maher kicking two conversions and a penalty.

Skibbereen got their first win of the campaign defeating Old Christians 20-16 at the West Cork venue. David Shannon, Tom Beare and Daire Kingston scored tries for Skibb’ and Shannon kicked a conversion and Kingston a penalty. Dan Kelleher and Odhran Prenter replied with tries for Old Christians and Sam Haberlin added two penalties.

Sean Murphy’s third try of the game in the sixth minute of added time, deprived Muskerry their first win, as they lost at home to Newcastle West 24-22. James Guina kicked three conversions and a penalty for the visitors. Liam Ryan, Julian Power and Ryan Spillane were Muskerry’s try scorers and Rob Cahill kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Division 2 leaders Waterpark suffered a surprising 30-19 defeat away to Youghal. Aaron Creamer, Ruaidhri McSweeney and Shane Fleming were the Youghal try scorers and Nathan O’Halloran converted all three tries and also kicked three penalties. Ben Daly, Luke Murphy and Mick Hayes scored tries for Waterpark and Daly added two conversions.

Crosshaven are the new leaders after their 50-12 home win against bottom side Abbeyfeale. Patrick Cotter and Darcy Ryan each scored two tries for Crosshaven, and Jack O’Connell, Mikey Collins, Kealan Daly and Fergal Crowley got one apiece. O’Connell kicked five conversions. Jamie O’Sullivan and Kevin Lane replied with tries for Abbeyfeale and O’Sullivan converted one.

Kinsale are level with Waterpark in second place after their 20-3 away win at Ballincollig. Conall Gilleran, Tom Good, David Evans ans David Looney scored tries for Kinsale and Diarmuid Phelan replied with a penalty for the home side.

Ennis moved up to fourth place after their 68-7 home win against Fermoy. Kealan Butler and Sam Browne scored two tries each for the Clare side, and Johnathan O’Donoghue, Shane Punch, Oscar O’Gorman, Callum Barrett and Conor Morrissey also scored tries, as well as being awarded a penalty try. Dylan Kenny kicked eight conversions. Alan Ross replied with a try for Fermoy and Peter Finn converted.

St. Senan’s defeated Castleisland 21-15 with tries from Fergal Lawlor, James Kennedy and Adam McEvoy. Declan Rowe converted all three tries. Jordan Leen and Jonathan Healy replied with tries for Castleisland and Joe Sheehy kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Carrick-on-Suir defeated near neighbours Fethard by 27-19. Jack Boyle scored two tries for Carrick’ and Braedon Wheeler one. Fionn Barry converted all three tries and also added two penalties. Mick Lawrence, Sean Prendergast and Evan Looby replied with tries for the home side and Peter Wall kicked two conversions.

Cobh Pirates eased their relegation worries with a 25-15 home win against Charleville. Ben Kennedy, Killian O’Connell and Cian McNamara were the Pirates try scorers and Mike White kicked two conversions and two penalties. Dave Forde, Ivan Lenihan and Ian Sheridan scored Charleville’s tries.

Killorglin defeated Bantry Bay 31-11 in the only game in Division 3. Jamie O’Leary scored three tries for the winners and Cian Corcoran got two. Luke O’Shea added three conversions. Michael Cronin replied with a try for Bantry and Shane O’Sullivan kicked two penalties.

Shannon took the spoils in UL yesterday evening as they defeated Bruff 31-21 in an end-to-end game to win the Women’s Division One Cup final.

While in Division Two of the Women’s League Ballincollig went down 24-61 to UL Bohemian 2nd XV in Tanner Park and Mallow defeated Midleton 5-56.