Weekend Rugby Roundup

It was a dramatic day in the Munster Junior League, as Kilfeacle won their third Junior League trophy and will now represent Munster in the All Ireland Provincial League Championship. Kinsale won promotion from the Second Division and Tralee clinched promotion from Division Three.

A 35-5 home victory over Muskerry, assured Kilfeacle their third Junior League title, but also confirmed Muskerry’s relegation to Division 2. Jamie Heuston, Muiri Lambe, Kevin Doyle, Ben Farrelly and Kevin Kinnane scored tries for Kilfeacle, and Luke Heuston kicked five conversions. Dan Morrissey replied with a try for Muskerry.

A last minute try by Ben Lovell earned Clonakilty a 12-10 away win at St. Mary’s and also ensured qualification to the All Ireland Junior Cup next season. Rory White was Clon’s other try scorer and Eoin Downey kicked a conversion. Mary’s replied with a try by Darren Radcliffe and Paul Loughran kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Richmond remain in third place, despite losing at home to Bandon 27-22. Scott Kingston scored two tries for Bandon and Zach Allen got one. Dan Coughlan kicked two penalties and two conversions, and Dylan Barr also added a conversion. Shane Purcell, Ross Walsh and Brian Mullins scored tries for Richmond and Purcell added two conversions and a penalty.

Mallow maintained their challenge for a top four finish with a 23-7 away win over local rivals Kanturk. Stephen Finn and Tomas Maldonado scored tries for the winners and Riley Harrison converted both and also added three penalties. Eoin Sullivan scored a try for Kanturk and Paul O’Keeffe converted.

Thurles boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with a deserved 20-12 away win over Sunday’s Well. Eoghan Dwyer, Sonny Dwyer and Jack Fogarty scored tries for Thurles, and James Maher kicked a conversion and a penalty. David Hourigan and Kieran Maye replied with tries for the ‘Well and Fabien Loughry added a conversion.

Newcastle West continued their recent good run with a 24-21 away win against Old Christians. Shane Airey, Shane Breen, Liam Carty and Andrew Mortell scored tries for the visitors and James Guina kicked two conversions. Dan Kelliher, Ruairi Casey, and Cian Walsh replied with tries for Old Christians, and all three were converted by Sammy Haberlin.

The Skibbereen v Clanwilliam and the second Division tie between Castleisland and Youghal were both postponed as a result of waterlogged pitches.

Kinsale won promotion to the topflight, following their 45-7 home win against Charleville. Dave Looney, Paul Graham, David Evans, Callum Fennell, Robin O’Flynn, Evan Lehane and Matthew O’Donovan scored tries for Kinsale. Dylan Lacey kicked five conversions. Kaden O’Connell replied with a try for Charleville, which Kian Smith converted.

Crosshaven only need two points from their last two games to ensure a quick return to Division One, following their 31-19 home win against Ennis. Harry O’Connell, Pa Cotter, Niall Deane, Eoin Dalton and Kealan Daly were Crosshaven’s try scorers. Jack O’Connell kicked two conversions and Daly one. Ben Benko, Cormac Browne and Callum Barrett replied with tries for the Clare side, and Barrett kicked two conversions.

St. Senan’s remain in contention for promotion, with a 22-12 away win at Ballincollig. Declan Rowe, Damian O’Toole and Fergal Lawlor scored tries for Senan’s and Rowe kicked two conversions and a penalty. John Horgan and Matt Bourke replied with tries for Ballincollig and Adam Dodd kicked a penalty.

Despite beating bottom side Abbeyfeale 43-22, Waterpark’s promotion hopes are over for another season, because of results elsewhere. Scott Nolan and Dermot Lannon each scored three tries for Waterpark, and Lannon added five conversions and a penalty. Jack O’Sullivan, Jamie O’Sullivan, Alex Culhane and Colm O’Sullivan replied with tries for Abbeyfeale and Jack O’Sullivan kicked a conversion, but the result means that Abbeyfeale will be playing in the Third Division next season.

Fethard kept their hopes alive of avoiding relegation, following their 32-12 bonus point home win against Cobh Pirates. It was the Wall brothers who did all the scoring for the Tipperary side. Rob scored two tries, Andrew and Peter got one each, with Peter kicking three conversions and two penalties. Conor McNamara and Storm Le Roux replied with tries for the Pirates and Mike White kicked a conversion.

Fermoy picked up a valuable four points in their efforts to get away from the relegation zone with a 15-12 away win at Carrick-on-Suir. Peter Finn and Pa Leahy scored tries for Fermoy and Eoin Lacey added a conversion and a penalty. Fionn Barry and Will Kennedy replied with tries for Carrick’ and Barry kicked one conversion.

Killarney finished top of the Third Division with a 44-7 home win against Waterford City. Adam Walsh scored three tries for the winners. Craig McKenzie Vass got two, and Eoin Gleeson, Liam Randles and Paul Moynihan got one each. Ciaran O’Brien kicked two conversions.

Killorglin’s 18-15 defeat away to Galbally-Mitchelstown and Tralee’s 29-7 win over Corca Dhuibhne, means that Tralee will be promoted to Division 2.

Danny Morse, Gavin Peevers, Ben Sharp, Guilherme Ventura and Mike Leen Vega scored tries for Tralee and Stephen Turner kicked two conversions. Ronan Lynagh was Corca Dhuibhne’s try scorer and Seamus Ó Muircheartaigh converted.

Galbally-Mitchelstown defeated Killorglin 18-15 with tries from Kevin Cooke, David Norris and Alex O’Dea. Graham Bourke kicked a penalty. Barry Sheahan and Matt Spillane replied with tries for Killorglin and Luke O’Shea added a conversion and a penalty.

Scariff edged out Douglas 17-14 with tries from Sean Collins, Sean Tracey, and Evan McMahon. Alex Boblea kicked one conversion. Sean Harris-Downs and Charlie Devine replied with tries for Douglas and Patrick Carey converted both.

A last minute penalty from Andre Polivka helped Bantry Bay to their second successive victory, as they beat Dungarvan 8-5. Niall O’Brien scored Bantry’s try and Ricky Lopez replied with a try for Dungarvan.