Loss pushes Kanturk closer to Division 2
ANOTHER weekend that was dominated by the successes of the national side at The Aviva - and Irish rugby continues to make strides towards Grand Slam success.
Irish rugby has never really been in better shape as more and more quality players emerge from the colleges and clubs to take up their places in the professional game - things are looking really good for the game on this island.
While all the attention will be focussed on the men in green over the next few weeks spare a thought for those brave souls that line out every Sunday to represent their clubs and their communities on the fields of Munster – last weekend there was a near full programme of games on the cards with all making it to the starting gates for the first time in quite a while.
From a north Cork point of view Kanturk are the big name in Junior rugby as they continue to battle in Division 1. After coming down from senior rugby of late it would have been easy to predict that the J1 would be something of a walk in the park for the men from Knocknacolon but nothing could be further from the truth as Kanturk have managed to find themselves involved in a real relegation dogfight.
Kanturk came into this season with high hopes of competing at the business end but after last weekend’s loss to Newcastle West the Duhallow side are in serious danger of leaving the division through the door at the opposite end of the table.
The 43-14 home defeat to the Limerick side will be difficult to take but the boys in green will strive to step up and assure their J1 future is secured in the coming weeks.
Sean Ivess was the star of the show for the victors with a hat trick of tries with Sean Murphy adding a brace while Martin Mullane and Brian O’Sullivan each bagged one. The boot of Sean Herlihy inflicted plenty damage with four conversions.
The home side did show well in spurts with a Conor Cremin try and conversion to cheer. The Duhallow side were also awarded a penalty try but on this day, it never looked like being enough to deny the Treaty side.
Galbally will entertain Kanturk this Sunday and the men from the banks of the Allow and the Dallow will have to do better than they managed last time out. This is a difficult league with momentum highly underestimated. Kanturk need a win to get some of that momentum and Sunday’s game provides that opportunity.
Mallow were another side that went into last weekend with some relegation worries but they managed to do themselves plenty favours with a narrow, but vitally important 19-16 win over fellow Cork side, Ballincollig.
Jimmy Glynn stole the headlines here with all of Mallow’s points. His try, conversion and four penalties were enough to see off the visitors at St Joseph’s Road and move Mallow one step closer to safety. Ballincollig did manage to trouble the winners with a try from Fionn McDermott which was converted by John Sheehan. Sheehan also slotted over four penalties but this was to be Mallow’s day.
It doesn’t get any easier for Mallow as they welcome St Mary’s to St Joseph’s Road this weekend. Mary’s have plenty historical pedigree as well as plenty to show from their current crop of players however if Mallow can rise once more to the challenge they may well cause a shock in this one.
Fermoy were another local side in league action last weekend as they took on Ennis in the J3. Fermoy have been showing well of late with some really positive displays however last Sunday things went horribly wrong as they came up short against the Clare men by 26-7.
Fermoy led this one at the break thanks to a try by Dylan Foley and a conversion from Dylan Lacey (7-0 at the turn) however Ennis came powering back in the second period, dominating the Cork men with tries from David Flynn, Ronan O’Halloran and Enda Galvin.
O’Halloran added to Fermoy’s pain with two conversions and a brace of penalties to see this one out in style. This was a big blow to Fermoy however they will be keen to get back on the horse asap and hopefully get back to winning ways. The Avondhu side will get their chance this Sunday when the welcome Fethard and District to Cork. If Fermoy want to keep their promotion hopes alive this is a must win game but as always in Munster Junior Rugby, that is easier said than done.
Away from league action last weekend, Mitchelstown were in serious cup action against one of the giants of Munster and Irish club rugby. Garryowen’s name alone puts the fear of God in many teams however as stated here last weekend Mitchelstown are a side that fear no one and credit to them they put in a terrific showing in this round of last 16.
Mitchelstown looked to have this one in the bag thanks to a try from Sean Coughlan which was converted by Patrick McGee, the kicker added three penalties to his tally but as victory looked to be in their grasp Garryowen fought back - stealing in for a try at the end to ruin the Corkmen’s day, by 20-16.
Tries from Barry McNamara, Robert Meyer and Brian Fitzgerald would ultimately come back to haunt the visitors with Lorcan Burke kicking one conversion and a penalty.
Mitchelstown may have come out on the wrong side of this one but they will surely have learned a great deal from playing in such a game.
The trials and tribulations of league action will surface again next weekend for Mitchelstown as they prepare to entertain Waterford City on Sunday. Mitchelstown are well capable of doing the business in this one but they will need to stay patient and take their chances when they come.
Muskerry and Charleville will also be in league action as the sides both hit the road in the J2 and J3 leagues respectively. Muskerry don’t have far to go as they play Clonakilty while for Charleville a trip to Kerry to take on Killorglin is what awaits this time out.
Both local sides have good chances this weekend with Charleville in particular in need of a win to keep their genuine title challenge on track.
FIXTURES SUNDAY MARCH 4 at 2.30pm
Munster J-League Division 1
Galbally v Kanturk
Munster J-League Division 2
Clonakilty v Muskerry Mallow v St Marys Mitchelstown v Waterford