Weekend Junior Rugby Round-Up

Clonmel and last season’s beaten finalist’s Cobh Pirates will contest this season’s Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup Final, as Mallow caused a shock to book their place in the Shield Final.

A brilliant try by Eoin Geary midway through the second half proved decisive as Cobh Pirates defeated Skibbereen 10-8 in their semi final at windy Cobh.

Trailing 3-8 and playing into the wind in the second half, Cobh saw a penalty from Skibbereen’s out half Ger Hurley come back off the upright. They gathered the ball and ran it out of defence, Geary picked it up inside his own half and jinked his way past several Skibbereen tackles to score and his conversion decided the game.

Geary opened the scoring with a penalty after thirty minutes as Cobh failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage in the opening half.

In a rear Skibbereen attack that saw the visitors get into the Cobh 22 for the first time, a few drives at the line by the Skibb pack were repelled, but when the ball went out the back line, full back David Shannon was up in support to score in the corner for a 5-3 half time lead.

Hurley extended Skibb’s advantage with a penalty three minutes after the break but was off target with three other long range penalty efforts. It looked a good enough lead to send Skibb through until Geary’s piece of magic decided it.

Cobh Pirates: J Hoyne; D Kinevane, E Geary, J Hickey, T Rice; E Ronan, R Geary; O Walsh, D McAuliffe, T Keaveny; J Frahill, T McSweeney; E McSweeney, D Lambe, J Kidney.
Replacements: C Foley, S Chandler, M Keating, C Frahill, G Higgins.

Skibbereen: D Shannon; M Limerick, D McCarthy, A Maseesee, R Hone; G Hurley, J O’Driscoll; M Calnan, D Jennings, V White; I Hurley D Coppinger; G O’Mahony, R Byrne, K Shannon.
Replacements: W Ryan, D Lynch, K Coombes, C McCarthy, J Hayes.
Referee: F Murphy (MAR).

Clonmel needed extra time to book their place in the final after a 23-15 home win over Kilfeacle.

Conor Cooney was Clonmel’s hero as he scored all their points.

Kilfeacle opened the scoring with a penalty try after twenty minutes which Darren Lowery converted. Cooney kicked the first of his six penalties to leave the visitors 7-3 ahead at half time.

Cooney then kicked four penalties to one by Lowry to leave Clonmel 15-10 ahead, but in a late rally John Burke levelled with Kilfeacle’s second try to send the game into extra time.

A penalty in the first period and a try in the second by Cooney saw Clonmel book their place in the final.

Mallow ended Clanwilliam’s unbeaten run and got revenge for their home defeat by the Tipperary side on the opening day of the season, when they booked their place in the final of the Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Shield against Bandon, following their 17-15 home win.

Tries from Andy Cashman and Denis Murphy both converted by Michael O’Flynn gave Mallow a 14-8 half time lead. Denis O’Brien scored Clanwilliam’s try and Brian Kissane kicked a penalty.

A try from Pauric Ryan, converted by Niall Leahy put Clanwilliam ahead, but O’Flynn booked Mallow’s place in the final with a penalty mid way through the second half.

Newcastle West defeated Shannon 32-8 to win the Transfield Cup for the second time in two seasons. The winners scored four tries. Sean Kelly two and Declan Moloney were Newcastle West’s try scorers and they were also awarded a penalty try. Sean Herlihy kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Thomond won the McInerney Cup on the back pitch at Thomond Park with a 29-3 win over Old Crescent.

The winners led 17-3 at half time with two tries from Pat Deedigan, both of which Tommy O’Riordan converted and he also added a penalty. Richie Ryan and Damien Carmellot scored second half tries and Tommy O’Riordan converted one.

RESULTS:
All Ireland Junior Cup Semi Final: Dundalk 27, C.I.Y.M.S. 25;

Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup Semi Finals: Clonmel 23, Kilfeacle 15 aet;
Cobh Pirates 10, Skibbereen 8;

Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Shield Semi Final: Mallow 17, Clanwilliam 15;

Transfield Cup Final: Newcastle West 32, Shannon 8;

McInerney Cup Final: Thomond 29, Old Crescent 3;

Gleeson League: Presentation 20, Thurles 5;

Junior 2 League South: Cashel 11, Waterford City 29;
Clonmel 30, Carrick-on-Suir 0;

Junior Friendly: Midleton 14, Fermoy 19;

East Under 18 League Play Offs: Fethard 20, Thurles 0;

North Under 18 League: Newcastle West-Estuary 10, Thomond 10;

North Under 16 League: Kilrush 5, Newcastle West-Estuary 16;

North Under 14 League: Shannon 25, Ballina-Killaloe-Scariff 5;

South Under 18 League Group A: Cobh Pirates 0, Highfield 21;

Group B: Skibbereen 22, Old Christians 12;

South Under 16 Play Offs: Ballincollig 22, Skibbereen 10;
Clonakilty 14, Muskerry 5;

South Under 16 Development League: Crosshaven 30, Fermoy 5;

West Under 16 League: Killorglin 14, Tralee 15;