Mallow edge past Charleville in Plate
MUNSTER Junior rugby suffered from the frost last weekend as some of the most eagerly anticipated games of the season failed to get the go ahead however north and mid Cork sides escaped the cancellations with all local teams getting to strut their stuff on Sunday.
Munster Junior Plate Mallow saw off north Cork neighbours Charleville in a thrilling, hard fought clash at the latter’s home venue. The boot of Jimmy Glynn sealed the deal here with a penalty in the final seconds – sealing the win by 9-8. The loss was a double blow for a Charleville side battling relegation as this game was also classed as a Munster Junior Plate fixture. Glynn had landed another penalty earlier in the game with Andy Cashman also slotting over a drop goal. Charleville’s David Stolzenberg bagged the only try of the game with Jack Doyle splitting the posts with a penalty. Munster J-League
Division 1 In Division 1, the area’s only representative, Muskerry, has had some tough days out of late as the men from Ballyanly look to get out of what has now become a real relegation dogfight.
Last weekend brought about a battle of the two sides in most danger of going down as Old Christians saw off the mid Cork men by 30-21. Tries from Sam O’Connell, Tom Maher and John Purcell caused most of the damage here with the boot of John Marnell sealing the deal with three penalties and a hat trick of conversions.
Muskerry battled hard all game and were in with a shout of getting a losing bonus point. Darren Collins, Mark Jones and Stephen Murray replied with tries for Muskerry and Shane Burke converted all three. Munster J-League Division 3 Fermoy took on Corca Dhuibhne with both clubs looking to get some forward momentum going.
These sides started the season relatively well but both then seemed to fall off the pace and have struggled since. Corca put all the previous negativity behind them as they saw off the Cork men by 28-10.
Ciaran O Coileain went over for a brace while Alan Devane and Micheal Breathnach each grabbed five pointers for the Kerrymen who now have home advantage in the promotion play-offs. Seamus Moriarty added to the Fermoy pain with four conversions.
Fermoy were able to respond with two tries as Peter Stapleton and John McCarthy brought the only high points for a side that will face up to Corca again in the knockout stages.
The result sees Corca Dhuibhne move up to fifth and but more importantly they may well have Fermoy’s number heading into the quarter finals.
One side that may not have to deal with the hassle of a promotion play-off is Mitchelstown. The north Cork side really have been one of the great stories of this season confounding all the critics with a credible J1 title challenge.
Last weekend Mitchelstown took on and defeated fellow Cork side Douglas-Carrigaline – a win that sent the victors top of the table for the first time.
The 35-0 home win means that Mitchelstown have now finished their campaign and if Killorglin don’t win next weekend in their game with Killarney, Mitchelstown will be automatically promoted.
A penalty try as well as touchdowns from Jack Norris, James Meaney, Andy O’Mahony and Michael O’Doherty sent the spoils Mitchelstown’s way with Patrick McGee slotting over five conversions.