The opening round games in Division 1 and 2 of the Munster Junior League saw great performances from three of the four promoted sides.
In Division 1, last season’s Division 2 champions Crosshaven caused a surprise with a 24-21 away win at Clonakilty, Josh McCarthy, Harry O’Connell and Anthony Sheehan scored tries for Crosshaven and all three were converted by Darcy Ryan, with Eoin Dalton adding a penalty. Finian Neville, Luke McCarthy and Matty McCarthy replied with tries for Clonakilty and Currardo Berti converted all three.
The other promoted side Kinsale shared the spoils with a 31-31 home draw with Mallow. Billy O’Riordan, Harlem Brown, Fionn O’Connell and Brian O’Donnell scored tries for Kinsale and all four were converted by Jonathan Walsh, who also added a penalty. Sean O’Riordan got two tries for Mallow, with Dylan Walsh, Sean Glynn and Michael O’Callaghan getting one each. Barry Taylor kicked three conversions.
Defending champions Kilfeacle, recorded a bonus point 36-20 home win against Old Christians. Bobby Purcell scored three tries for the Tipperary side, Kevin Kinane got two and Ricky Whitley one. Luke Heuston kicked three conversions. Cian Walsh, Sam Haberlin, and Tom Healy replied with tries for Old Christians and Kealan Murrell kicked a conversion and a penalty.
Bandon collected maximum points following their 34-14 home win against Kanturk. Matthew Crowley scored two tries for the winers and Tadgh Galvin and Ryan McNulty got one each. Daniel Coughlan converted all four tries and also added two penalties. Brian and Conor O’Sullivan replied with tries for Kanturk and Paul O’Keeffe converted both.
A great second half fight back by Skibbereen saw them collect the spoils with a 34-29 home win against Sunday’s Well. Thomas Beare scored two tries for Skibb’ and Jonathan Benn and Conan Farrell also crossed the whitewash. Hohaia Whiu kicked four conversions and two penalties. The ‘Well had tries from John McCarthy (2), John Costello and Ryan Buckley, Ciaran O’Connor kicked two conversions and Junior LeLeisiauo added a conversion and a penalty.
Clanwilliam and Newcastle West shared the spoils at the Tipperary venue, when they played out a 19-19 draw. Jack Quinlan and Ben Downey scored tries for the home side and they were also awarded a penalty try. Downey kicked one conversion. Shane Tierney and Rob Guerin replied with tries for Newcastle West and they were also awarded a penalty try. Shane Airey kicked one conversion.
St. Mary’s won the Limerick derby 24-7 against Richmond at MultiFlow Park. Jordan Duggan, Ben Davey and Leon O’Grady scored tries for the Saints who were also awarded a penalty try. Davey kicked one conversion. Paul O’Shea was Richmond’s try scorer and John Moloney converted.
In Division 2 four teams claimed maximum points.
St. Senan’s were 49-17 home winners against Charleville. Darragh Tracey scored two tries for the Clare side and Conor Ferns, Roberto Kelly, Harry Chaplin, Rian Sloan and David Webb got a try each. Sean Gulfoyle converted all seven tries. Cathal Canning, Ollie Young and Charlie Collins replied with tries for Charleville and Young added a conversion.
Ballincollig defeated Castleisland 47-7 at Tanner Park. Liam Jordan with two and Mark McLoughlin, James O’Keeffe, Louis Herdman and Darragh O’Shea were the Ballincollig try scorers, with Adam Dodd kicking six conversions. Conor Wilkinson got a try and a conversion for the visitors.
Ennis proved too strong for Waterpark running out 42-14 home winners. Dylan Kenny was the top points scorer with two tries and six conversions for Ennis. Morgan Garry, Luke Fitzgerald, Donnacha Morrissey and Conan McGonigle also scored tries for the winners. Oisin Johnston and Billy Doherty were the Waterpark try scorers and Cian Wakefield converted both.
Youghal began their campaign with a 57-12 home win against Tralee. Rory Fitzgerald and Nathan O’Halloran each scored three tries for Youghal, while Kelvin Yellop, Scott O’Sullivan and Rory Walsh got a try each. O’Halloran kicked six conversions. Tralee replied with tries from Stephen Benjamin and Cathal Kearney, along with a conversion by Stephen Turner.
Newly promoted Killarney got the better of Muskerry with an exciting 27-25 home victory. Gearoid Sugrue, Jack Donoghue and Donnchadh Grealy got tries for Killarney and Sugrue kicked three conversions and two penalties. Eoin O’Leary replied with two tries for Muskerry and Cathal Dennehy and Shane Coleman got one apiece. Ivan Walsh added a conversion and a penalty.
Carrick-on-Suir won the Tipperary derby travelling to Thurles and defeating the home side 22-19. Odhran Barry scored two tries for Carrick’ and Fionn Barry contributed a try, penalty and two conversions. Colin Nolan, Fionn Fogarty and Sean Lloyd replied with tries for Thurles.
Cobh Pirates got the better of Fermoy with a 25-20 home win. Jack Worrall, Kevin Murphy and Saul Kahn scored tries for Cobh and Mike White kicked two conversions and two penalties. Pa Leahy, Mike Hickey and Peter Finn replied with tries for Fermoy and Eoin Lacey kicked a conversion and a penalty.