Mallow make trip to Tipp worthwhile
SUNDAY last saw a flurry of activity in Munster Junior rugby circles as all the local north and mid Cork sides strode into first round action in their respective divisions.
Mallow travelled to Tipperary to begin their league campaign against newly promoted Fethard & District. The home side hit the ground running outlining their intent with an early try following a series of uncharacteristic knock-ons from Mallow. That was however as good as it got for Fethard, with Mallow picking themselves up and beginning to take control of proceedings. The visitors eventually got a foothold in the game bagging their first try by the 20-minute mark thanks to an excellent barnstorming from Mallow’s No.8, Mike Lenihan. Shortly afterwards, Mallow got their rolling maul working well and Tysone Stephens dotted down for another five pointer which brought the score to 10-12 in favour of the Cork side.
Mallow had a wind advantage in the second period and often used it to good effect often finding the safety of the touchline deep in their opponent’s territory. Following a period of possession inside Fethard’s 22m line, Sean Glynn scored Mallow’s third try, trampling over several defenders on his way to the whitewash. The away side were really beginning to flex their considerable muscle at this stage of the game and pressed hard for that much sought after bonus point try.
Credit to Mallow they didn’t let up and were rewarded just after the hour mark with Mike O’ Flynn racing away for the all-important try, which was excellently converted from the touchline by David Breen. Michael Lenihan crossed again with five minutes remaining to round off what was a terrific and well-deserved win for a Mallow side intent on showing well this season.
Kanturk faced up to Newcastle West in the knowledge that this was bound to be one of the toughest opening tests around so the Duhallow men would have been right to think that if they could bring any point back to Knocknacolon that would have to be seen as a respectable start to this campaign.
Right from the off the challenge here was brought home as the home side piled on the pressure from the first whistle. Tries from Sean Herlihy (2), Michael Burke, Taliolega Tuaau and Sean Ivess secured this one well out from the final whistle with Herlihy also collecting two conversions and a single penalty.
It wasn’t all bad news for the boys in green as Ronan O’Brien responded with a try, a conversion and a penalty for the visitors who were well beaten on this day.
Kanturk will need to bounce back straight away if they are to get back in the title race and that starts this weekend as they welcome Crosshaven to the banks of the Allow.
The west Cork side started with an impressive home win over St Mary’s last Sunday so they will come to Kanturk full of the joys of rugby life this time round. Another difficult test awaits however if Kanturk have any genuine inclinations towards a top of the table position they will need to get something here.
In to the J2 Charleville, Muskerry and Fermoy all followed Mallow into action last weekend with all four looking to get their respective challenges off to the best possible start.
Charleville welcomed one of the strongest sides in the competition, Old Christians, to the north Cork town last Sunday afternoon and felt the full force of what the City men are all about.
Charleville would be hoping to secure at least a good mid table finish this season however they will now be fully aware of the standard that is required as Christians eased to a 37-20 victory.
Tries from Alan O’Dea, Eddie Delahunt, Conor Kiely and Gael Kaleng set Christian’s on their way with the boot of Eugene Redmond adding four conversions and three penalties to push them out of sight and secure a bonus point win – the perfect start to their title challenge.
For Charleville, there really was plenty secured in defeat however that didn’t translate into league points. Jake Madigan, Darren Butler and James O’Flynn all touched down for the vanquished side with Eoin O’Carroll bagging a penalty and a conversion to round off their 20 points.
Charleville hit the road to Cobh next weekend where they will face up to the inform Pirates. The sea-siders secured a bonus point win last weekend and will be keen to show their home fans that they are more than capable of taking down the north Cork men this time round.
Charleville should be happy with their first-round display, despite not gaining a point, however this weekend they will need to tighten up at the back as they go in search of something more than pride.
Fermoy will be bitterly disappointed with how they finished up last weekend after succumbing to two late tries which ultimately saw them lose out 28-10 to Clonakilty.
Fermoy looked good early on and led by 10-7 at the turn, thanks to a try from Peter Skuse and a conversion and a penalty by Dylan Lacey.
The visitors upped their game after the break scoring all the points with Aaron Hayes snatching two tries while Batt Duggan and Mark Purcell scored one each. Kicking duties were shared between Andrew McCarthy and Shane Deasy with each player landing a pair of conversions.
There was better luck for Muskerry who saw off Youghal by 20-7 at home in Ballyanly.
Tries from Jonathan Buckley and Lewis Grice set the tone for this well-deserved victory with Buckley adding both conversions as well as two penalties. Jack Monaghan responded with Youghal’s try which was converted by Aaron Daly however on this day Muskerry would take the spoils.
A trip to Mallow next weekend will whet the appetite for all rugby fans as both sides go in search of an almost perfect start.
Mitchelstown are looking to bounce right back from their late relegation to the J3 last season and credit to the north Cork side they got off to the best possible start with a comfortable 38-5 win over Douglas Carrigaline.
A brace of tries from Pa Norris along with touchdowns from Sean Molloy, Chris Noonan, Morgan Fox and Tom O’Callaghan were more than enough to take the five points on offer with O’Callaghan slotting over four conversions to seal the deal.
Bantry Bay head to Mitchelstown this weekend and while Mitchelstown will be thrilled with their start they can’t take anything for granted against a side that also won their opening fixture.
FIXTURES SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 AT 2.30 PM
Munster J-League Division 1, Round 2
Kanturk v Crosshaven
Munster J-League Division 2, Round 2
Mallow v Muskerry
Cobh Pirates v Charleville Youghal v Fermoy
Munster J-League Division 3, Round 2
Mitchelstown v Bantry Bay