Kanturk beat Dungarvan in Munster Junior Cup

LAST weekend saw just a few local clubs take to the field last weekend as Munster Junior rugby clubs faced up to some of the bigger sides in the province as cup rugby took hold.

The early stages of these cup competitions are often quite brutal on the junior clubs and last weekend was little different as the senior clubs advanced at the expense of the junior sides.

Kanturk hit the road in the Munster Junior Cup to take on Dungarvan last weekend with the Cork side taking the spoils in a tight affair by 22-17 but Kanturk had to work hard to take the result as Dungarvan threw everything they had at the side from the senior club.

The home side led early on with a try to settle the nerves however Kanturk smashed their way over twice in the opening 40 minutes (Killian Buttimer and Keelan Buckley) to lead by 10-3 at the break.

Another brace of tries, this time from Olan Daly and Buttimer saw Kanturk well out in front however the home side continued to cause problems all the way to the finish – and were rewarded with two late converted tries. If this one had another 10 minutes Kanturk may have been in trouble however on the day they did just enough to take the win and progress.

Tralee will face up to Kanturk at Knocknacolan in the Munster Junior Cup next weekend knowing that this will probably be one of the toughest tests of their year so far. The Kerry side really could do with some confidence right now after a torrid season so far in the J2 but they are unlikely to get any sympathy from the senior club side who will be hell bent on going as far as they can in this prestigious competition.

This one may provide plenty of fireworks early on but Tralee will do well to stay in touch here against a side looking good right now. CHARLEVILLE bowed out of the Junior Clubs Challenge Shield at the semi-final stage last weekend when they lost out to Kinsale by 39-6.

This one was all about the victors as they cut loose on several occasions scoring five tries, four conversions and a brace of penalties.

Jack Doyle was the scorer for Charleville with two penalties but that was as good as it would get as the J2 side left the competition.

Charleville will need to get back on the horse next weekend as they make the trip to Limerick to take on Old Crescent in the Munster Junior Cup. The Cork side will have to perform in this one if they are to avoid their second heavy defeat in a row. FERMOY will also play in the Munster Junior Cup this weekend when they entertain Waterpark. Like Charleville, this will be a tough test for the Cork side however Fermoy have shown great form in spells this season and could, on their day, pull this one off. ANOTHER tough one for a north Cork J3 side is Mitchelstown’s game at home to Presentation. Mitchelstown would love to go some distance in this competition but they will need to perform to the utmost of their abilities.

Presentation will bring all their experience to this game and could easily put up a big score however Mitchelstown will be a tough nut to crack and will try everything they can to cause a major upset.