Muskerry continue to impress in draw with Abbeyfeale

a highly entertaining 21-21 draw.

Muskerry held sway, just about, after 40 minutes by 11-9 with a try from Joe Treacy and two Eoin Keohane penalties for the mid Cork side against three penalties from Abbeyfeale’s Tom Hassett.

Muskerry pushed clear on the restart with their second try (Daniel Horgan) which Keohane converted, later adding a penalty. Abbeyfeale were in no mood to let this one slip however and were rewarded with tries from John Murphy and Brian Collins with a Hassett conversion securing the draw.

Abbeyfeale will take on Skibbereen in the Junior Clubs Challenge Cup next weekend with the Limerick men away from home. Muskerry have a break next week with a difficult trip to Clanwilliam waiting the following Sunday.

One of the big games from a North Cork perspective in the J2 last weekend was the clash between Tralee and Mallow at the Kingdom side’s home ground. It has been a difficult few years for both of these sides with the pair competing at the top level of junior rugby just a few seasons back – before a slump in both sides’ form saw them relegated to the J2.

At that stage it would have been fair to assume the pair might bounce right back but neither side has been able to mount a J2 title challenge since. Both sides would have targeted this one as a must win game if they were to stay in touch with the sides at the top after both failed to start the season well and unfortunately for the Kerry men, this one was to go the way of the visiting rebels.

This was Mallow’s first win of the campaign with the 23-16 final score line being a fair reflection of how this one panned out. Tries from Tim Fitzgerald, Peter Cosgrove and Dan McCarthy set Mallow on their way with the reliable and talented Jimmy Glynn slotting over one conversion and a brace of penalties.

Tralee were never likely to let this one go easy and credit to them they stuck to their task well with a try from Ben O’Neill, which was converted by Darragh O’Neill. O’Neill also added a hat trick of penalties to keep his side in the hunt and ultimately take what could be a very important losing bonus point.

Both of these sides will be looking to improve as the season goes on however after this one it appears that Tralee have more work to do. Mallow make the trip to Tipperary next weekend to take on Thurles in the Junior Clubs Challenge Shield and the Cork side will be looking to get a good cup run under their belts.

Killorglin continued their impressive start to the J3 season with a hard fought win over a Mitchelstown side that may be new to the grade but seem in no way overawed by the challenge.

17-15 in favour of the visiting Kerry side was the way this one went with Brian Hayes and Rudi Healy bagging the victor’s tries while Luke O’Shea added a penalty and both conversions attempts.

Both Fermoy and Charleville are back in action next weekend after sitting out last weekend’s action. Fermoy make the trip to fellow Cork side Bantry Bay in the J3 while Charleville have a date in the Challenge Shield away to Ballincollig.

Both North Cork sides will fancy their respective chances however neither are likely to walk away with the spoils of victory too easily.