Cup wins for Mitchelstown and Charleville but Kanturk go out

ANOTHER weekend where Munster junior rugby was dominated by cup action saw three of the scheduled four games with local interest going to post.

Kanturk, Mitchelstown, Charleville and Muskerry were all meant to show their wares last weekend but the Muskerry v Cashel game fell afoul of the inclement weather – for the others it was a return to action with a mixed bag on the results front.

When the Muskerry game finally does get the go ahead the winner will play Tralee after they shocked many by seeing off Highfield in the Munster Junior Cup. Tralee will be tough to beat in the next round however Muskerry are in no position to look past Cashel who have plenty pedigree themselves at this grade of competition.

The highest ranked North Cork team in action last weekend was Kanturk as they entertained a Clonmel side currently fifth in the J1 table – six spots above Kanturk who themselves are four from bottom.

Clonmel have been one of the strongest sides in Munster junior rugby over the years and were never likely to roll over, despite conceding home advantage to the Duhallow men.

This would turn out to be another tough day at the office for Kanturk, a side that have had a fairly disappointing season by their own exacting standards.

The final score was 12-0 in favour of the visitors, but credit to the men from Knocknacolon they battled all the way to the finish but ultimately without reward.

Alex Sheehan and Nick Thomson were the game’s try scorers with Dylan Cadogan slotting over the only successful kick of the game.

There was better luck for Mitchelstown last weekend as they saw off Fethard by 15-13 in Carrick-on-Suir. The North Cork side have impressed in patches this year after securing promotion to the J2 at the first attempt last season and while things have not been as sweet on the pitch this year it would be fair to say that Mitchelstown are beginning to bed into the surroundings of J2 rugby.

Liam Molan and Josh Evans were the heroes of the hour with a try apiece with the boot of Pa McGee kicking a penalty and a conversion that ultimately sealed the deal. Mitchelstown will now move on to the next round where they will face up to another Cork side, Kinsale, who will be no pushovers. Home advantage will be Mitchelstowns so a big crowd and some vibrant support will be required for that one.

There was even better news for Charleville as they saw off Kerry side Killorglin by 30-0. Charleville led this from early on with a try and a conversion from Ger Sheehan and a conversion. The same player touched down again after the break with Greg O’Carroll slotting over two penalties. Ivan Linehan and Bertie Cagney added tries for the runaway winners with O’Carroll banging a conversion. Impressive day at the office for Charleville who will fancy their chances of making a mark in this year’s Munster Junior Cup.

Next weekend’s activities kick off on Friday night when J3 side Fermoy entertain Corca Dhuibhne. The Kerry side are old masters at this grade and will fancy their chances against Fermoy however under lights at the north Cork venue Fermoy can be quite formidable and will be looking to keep some reasonable form heading in the right direction this time round.

There is little or no adult action on Saturday as the start of the 6 Nations will capture the attention of those into rugby in Ireland however Sunday will see most Munster Junior Rugby sides taking to the field again.

Muskerry will head to Tanner Park to take on Ballincollig looking to continue a recent run of form that has seen them rack up some tasty score-lines. That said, Muskerry will need to be tighter at the back or they will lose another high scoring encounter at the death.

Also in the J2, Mallow will welcome another Kerry side, Castleisland to St Joseph’s Road clear in the knowledge that a win really is imperative here. Mallow are at the wrong end of the J2 table and need something good to happen which could inspire them to move away from the perils that wait beneath.

Mitchelstown will look to continue their recent run of good form when they welcome Thurles to Cork. Thurles are a serious outfit however Mitchelstown on their day can cause trouble for anyone and will fancy their chances of causing an upset here.

Last but not least is Charleville’s trip to Waterford to take on Dungarvan. Charleville need to keep a recent league run going if they are to bounce back to the J2 straight away. This game affords them the opportunity to do just that.

FIXTURES FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2 at 8pm

Munster J-League Division 3 Fermoy v Corca Dhuibhne

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 at 2.30 pm

Munster J-League Division 2

Ballincollig v Muskerry Mallow v Castleisland Munster J-League Division 3

Mitchelstown v Thurles

is so good an anthem that it almost constitutes an unfair advantage, especially coming after yet another moribund rendition of the lamentable Ireland’s Call. Little wonder that for so long Paris has been the graveyard of Irish rugby dreams.

A look back at Ireland’s record in the city of lights is a sobering experience. Since the famous Brian O’Driscoll-inspired victory in the year 2000 – which at the time was Ireland’s first in forty eight years – Ireland have managed just one additional victory, in 2014, and a draw, in 2012.

Looking at that it’s hard to imagine why anybody would make Ireland favourites for this weekend’s first round Six Nations clash. To gain a win in Paris Joe Schmidt’s men will be swimming against the tide of history.

Granted Schmidt is one of the few Irish coaches who has masterminded victory for the Irish in Paris, all the same it’s hard to approach a game with the French in Paris with anything other than trepidation.

We’re conditioned to think that way by generations of Gallic brilliance. The Irish would come and put their heart and soul into it and the French with that brilliant insouciance would simply brush us aside.

The strange thing was it was impossible even to hate them for it. Everything they did they did with style and grace. You simply had to take your hat off to them. Sit back and enjoy the show and hope to get the better of them in Dublin the following season – where, incidentally, our record is little better than fifty / fifty.

French rugby was special. The jewel in the crown of northern hemisphere rugby. In a lot of ways it more admirable even than All Black rugby. Les Bleus played this off the cuff, inventive, joyful style of rugby.

We say was rather wistfully. It’s a shame to describe this glorious tradition in the past tense. Unfortunately we have little choice. The last decade has not been kind to the French rooster.

Year by year, bit by bit, the joy has faded. The