Weekend Rugby Roundup

There were no shocks in the opening round of the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Cup, as late rallies saw both Shannon and Midleton advance to next week’s quarter finals.

Holders Nenagh Ormond cruised through to the last eight with a 40-17 home win against U.L. Bohemian. Mikey Doran, Matt Burke, Patrick Scully, Derek Corcoran, Conor Shaughnessy and John O’Flaherty all scored tries for the Tipperary side and Aaron Kelly kicked five conversions. Donnacha O’Callaghan, Darragh O’Gorman and Darren Ferrar replied with tries for Bohs and O’Gorman added a conversion.

Nenagh’s reward is a home tie against Cork Constitution, after the Temple Hill side overcame the challenge of Dolphin with a 38-6 home win. Daryl Foley kicked two first half penalties for Dolphin who trailed 10-6 at half time, but Constitution dominated the second half to run out comfortable winners. George Good, Jack Kelleher, Dylan Hicks, Danny Sheahan, Darragh French and Mike Cogan were the Con’ try scorers. French kicked three conversions and Hicks one.

The difference in standards between Division 1A and 2C of the All Ireland League was evident at Tom Clifford Park, as Young Munster defeated Clonmel 64-0. Ihechi Oji and Hubert Gilvarry each scored two tries for the winners, and Stephen McLoughlin, Kelvin Langan, Jake O’Riordan, Fionn Gibbons, Luke McCready and Ajae Hanson were the other try scorers. Langan kicked four conversions and Henry Langbridge three.

Young Munster will travel to Cork next week to face Highfield, after the Woodleigh Park side travelled to Cashel and defeated the home side 32-12. Highfield raced into a 29-0 lead with three tries from Traviss Coomey and one by David O’Sullivan. Shane O’Riordan kicked three conversions and a penalty. Fearghal O’Donoghue and Richard Moran replied with tries for Cashel and Ben Twomey kicked one conversion. Shane Buckley completed the scoring with a penalty for the visitors.

Garryowen knocked out last year’s beaten finalists Old Crescent at Takumi Park 29-15. The Light Blues led17-3 at half time and extended their lead to 29-3 after sixty minutes with an intercept try by Andrew Sexton, who raced from his own line to score his side’s fourth try. Gordon Wood, Fionn Rowsome and Jonathan Byrne were their other try scorers. Lachlan Stewart kicked three conversions and a penalty. Crescent replied with tries from Daithi Byrnes and Niall Hardiman. Glen Kelly kicked a penalty and Aaron Cosgrove a conversion.

Garryowen’s reward is a trip to Cork to face U.C.C., who received a bye in the first round.

The final quarterfinal will see Midleton host Shannon after both sides staged late comebacks to advance.

The shock of the day looked like it was going to be at Kilballyowen Park, as Bruff led Shannon 22-10 entering the final quarter, but the visitors rallied to finish 27-22 winners. Shannon who trailed 17-10 at the interval with David Smith scoring two tries but late tries from Josh Costelloe (2) and one by Jack O’Donnell along with a Jamie Gavin conversion saw Shannon advance. Conor Fitzpatrick, Wiktor Wilczuk and John Bateman were among the Bruff try scorers and Paul Collins kicked a conversion.

A second try from Joannes du Toit earned Midleton a hard earned 20-15 win at home to Thomond. A penalty from Conall Doyle and a try by Ted Coleman saw Midleton open up an early 8-0 lead but tries from Ryain Ahern and Sean Rice, along with a conversion from Luke Costelloe gave Thomond a 12-8 halftime lead. A try by du Toit converted by Doyle restored Midleton’s advantage to three points but a Costelloe penalty tied the scores before du Toit’s try decided the outcome.

In the Transfield Cup Shannon defeated Nenagh Ormond 26-17. Kieran Kennedy scored three tries for Shannon and Jordan Prenderville one.

Old Crescent defeated Newcastle West 39-29. Billy Ryan and Jack Neilon were some of Crescent’s try scorers, while Dan Normoyle replied with two tries for the home side and James Guina, Sean Corbett and Seamus McMahon got one each. Shane Airey kicked two conversions.

They were big wins for Garryowen who defeated Bruff 71-3 and St. Mary’s overcame U.L. Bohemian 61-21.

Next weeks semi finals will see Garryowen at home to Shannon and Old Crescent will host St. Mary’s.

Holders Mallow advanced to the semi-finals of the Cork County Cup with a 26-0 home win against Muskerry. Thomas Maldonado scored two tries and Owen and Sean Glynn got one each. Ken Mills kicked three conversions.

Kanturk lost at home to Bandon in a thrilling encounter. Kain Donnell scored two tries for Bandon and Hugh O’Mahony converted both and also added two penalties. Brendan Kelleher, Matt Hoten and Stephen McAuliffe replied with tries for Kanturk and Paul O’Keeffe kicked a penalty.

Skibbereen edged out Clonakilty 10-8 in a west Cork derby tie. Kevin Coombes and Michael O’Sullivan scored tries for Skibb’, while Agustin Aversa replied with a try for Clon’ and Eoin Downey kicked a penalty.

Old Christians defeated Sunday’s Well 17-9 at Rathcooney with tries from Ivan Tripp, Cian Walsh and Sammy Haberlin. Jazz Pendejito replied with three penalties for the ‘Well.

Next week’s semi-finals will see Bandon at home to Skibbereen and Old Christians will welcome Mallow to Rathcooney.

In the O’Neill Cup, Ballincollig defeated Charleville 29-23 at Tanner Park. Kian Smith and Jessie Smith scored tries for Charleville, who were also awarded a penalty try. Kian Smith kicked two penalties.

Crosshaven defeated Cobh Pirates 23-10. Kealan Daly scored two tries for Crosshaven and Fergal Conway and Anthony Sheehan got one each. Jack O’Connell kicked a penalty. Cian Aherne scored a try for the Pirates and Mike White converted and also added a penalty.

Youghal were too strong for Douglas winning 35-0. Leon Kennedy scored two tries for the winners and Nathan O’Halloran, Sean O’Riordan and Kelvin Yellop also scored tries. O’Halloran converted all five tries.

Next week’s semi-finals will see Youghal at home to Ballincollig and Crosshaven will entertain Kinsale.

In the McElligott Cup, Abbeyfeale defeated Killorglin 17-15. Eoghan Walsh scored two tries for Killorglin and Cian Corcoran got one.