Kanturk still looking for first win after losing to Skibbereem
WEEK three of the Munster Junior Rugby league season and sides are beginning to position themselves for what most will hope are credible title challenges in their respective divisions.
After the opening few league games, as well as a round of cup fixtures, the sides are all beginning to find their mojo with some finding the pace tough while others are loving the start of the 2018/19 season.
Kanturk found life in junior rugby a little bit of a struggle last season but they were able to pull clear of the relegation zone with ease at the finish. However, the Duhallow boys will have been looking to start this season with a lot more gusto that they have managed so far.
Kanturk took to the field for just the second time in league action last weekend with fellow Cork side Skibbereen playing host to the boys in green. This was Skibb’s third league game and with already two wins secured and home advantage against Kanturk the seaside club were favourites and comfortably able to make it three from three.
Kanturk came into this one looking to belatedly kick-start their season but while tries from Ronan O’Brien and Michael Bradley went some way towards that goal they were never going to be enough on their own to take the spoils here.
Greg Mahony managed to touch down for a brace of tries for the victors with teammate Daniel Kingston bagging the third. The boot of Matthew Bushe rounded off the Kanturk pain as he kicked one conversion and a penalty.
Of course, it is still early in the season and Kanturk do have a game in hand on most of the sides ahead of them so there is no need to panic at this stage – that said, a win soon for the boys from the banks of the Allow would go a long way to settling any early season nerves.
In the middle tier, the J2, Mallow, Charleville, Fermoy and Muskerry are all ploughing their respective furrows with differing levels of success to this point.
Mallow sit proudly on top of the J2 after recording their third win on the bounce – this time it was a top of the table clash at home to Kinsale that provided the spoils.
Both teams came into this one with high hopes of contending all the way to the end of this season and while a loss would hardly have been fatal for either side the win for Mallow sets them up nicely.
The away side opted to play with what was a very strong wind in the first half but right from the off Mallow began with a serious physicality that put the opposition on the back foot. Kinsale kept the home side at bay during the opening 15 minutes but once Mallow broke the deadlock they never looked back.
Owing to the wind, Mallow played an intelligent brand of rugby, keeping ball in hand and running everything back at Kinsale.
Despite losing their talismanic No. 8 Mike Linehan, Mallow fronted up with Sean Hannon entering the fray making an immediate impact.
Tysone Stephens grounded for the first score of the game. Kinsale responded with a penalty before Mallow again found the line, this time, Owen Glynn burst through the defensive line to score a try thanks to fine work from Hugh Barry.
Again, Kinsale responded with a penalty, keeping themselves within touching distance but Mallow added a penalty of their own before registering their third try - Jimmy Glynn dotted down in the corner. Mallow led by 18 – 6 at the turn.
Mallow began the second half with ferocious intensity looking to put Kinsale away as early as possible.
Not long after the restart the home side secured the bonus point with David Breen capitalising on a gap in the opposition defence. Mallow kept the foot on the throat and showcased a wide array of skills to run in four more tries. Mike O’ Flynn was next on the scoresheet, touching down for his third of the campaign. Mallow emptied the bench with Rory Murphy, Peter Cosgrove, Dan McCarthy and David Walsh all contributing significantly to the closing 20 minutes. Mike Sweeney crossed the whitewash on the hour mark.
Shortly afterwards Mallow again managed to get around the Kinsale defence for their penultimate try. Thanks to excellent carries from the tight five Mallow whipped it wide, as Breen delivered a magnificent pass over the top to Jimmy Glynn who released Barry to score again in the corner.
Mallow, by this stage, were enjoying the lion’s share of possession. The last play of this contest really highlighted Mallow’s pride in their defensive line which will be a serious asset as this title race hots up in the coming months. With Kinsale searching for a consolation try the home side defended manfully, refusing to allow the visitors cross for a try.
This hard-hitting defensive effort saw Owen Glynn smash his opposite number on Mallow’s try line with Sean Glynn ripping the ball in the tackle and releasing a deft offload to Jimmy Glynn who ran the length of the pitch to score in the corner.
Mallow are now six points clear at the top of the table with a trip to Old Christians next up on November 4th.
Charleville have followed Mallow up the table into third - level on points with Clonakilty after their 31-14 home win against Ballincollig.
The hero of the hour was Jake Madigan who added to his personal tally with a hat-trick of tries with team mate Ger Sheehan claiming the other five pointer. Jesse Smith was imperious with the boot slotting over all four conversions while also adding a penalty.
Ballincollig did get tries from Aaron O’Flynn and Michael Ward but this was all about the victors who like Mallow, are really impressing this season.
Muskerry have been struggling to see out victories for the last season and a half having been reeled in on more than one occasion when victory looked like the most likely of outcome.
Last weekend the shoe was on the other foot as the mid Cork side stole in late on to take the spoils from a spirited Fermoy side that looked well on their way to victory on 40 minutes as they led by 21-0.
This time it was Ciaran O’Connor that was the hero as he dropped the winning goal late on to seal the deal over Fermoy. 22-21.
Fermoy had tries from Eoin Lacey, Mike Sweeney and Ed O’Connor to celebrate early on which were all converted by the trusty boot of Dylan Lacey but the home side responded in the best way possible with tries by Mark Jones, Martin Muldoon and Aidan Murray with two of the three converted by Jonathan Buckley – all before O’Connor’s late, late show.
Fermoy stay 11thof 14 while Muskerry move up to a credible fifth spot – seven points behind Mallow.
Last but by no means least was J3 leaders Mitchelstown’s 29-21 victory away to Killorglin. Mitchelstown have been flying this season and tries by Jack Norris, Owen Burke, Shane Molan and Denis Sheehan with three conversions and a penalty by Tom O’Callaghan adding to the air of supremacy around the north Cork side.
The home side looked to have this one sorted at the break as they led by 21-3 but a barnstorming second half sent the spoils deservedly the way of the Cork men.
Next weekend the sides have a well-deserved break before all heading back into action the following Sunday for another round of league action.