Consecutive wins puts Kanturk in a far better place

THE heroics in the Aviva Stadium last weekend will not only dominate the rugby coverage in Ireland this weekend but possibly well into the future as the national squad set down their marker to be considered the best team in the world.

Of course, Munster was well represented on that team with Irish Captain in waiting Peter O’Mahony putting in a herculean man of the match display against what to this point just about remain kings of world rugby.

It is difficult to get away from the men in green right now however the grassroots of the game still deserve their moment in the sun and while the crowds, the coverage and the skill levels might be on a lower plane the effort, dedication and love for the game among the province’s club players remains as high as ever.

North and mid Cork have seen their representatives doing really well this season with almost all punching at the right end of their respective leagues – with the exception of Kanturk, who have been struggling to get to grips with another year in the top flight of junior competition. That was until last Sunday when the boys from the banks of the Allow managed to make it two wins from two to burst up the table from the relegation places to mid-table respectability.

The 28-10 bonus point victory at St. Mary’s came two weeks after their first win of the season at home to Galbally.

Tries from Jack Bradley and Ronan O’Brien would almost have been enough on their own to seal the deal however a brace of touchdowns from Conor O’Sullivan claimed the bonus point win. O’Brien added to the Limerick side’s pain by successfully adding all four conversions. Darragh Kerley scored Mary’s only try and conversion while Alan Kiely added some respectability with a penalty.

Kanturk will look to build on their recent upturn in fortunes when they head to third from bottom Waterpark this Sunday afternoon. The boys in green will fancy their chances in this one but will need to be on their guard as Waterpark will see this as a potential must win game for them.

IN the J2, Muskerry, Fermoy and Mallow all took to the pitch with Mitchelstown doing their bit for local rugby in the J3 and credit to the latter they are right at the business end of proceedings in their grade.

Last weekend it was a trip to county Clare to face Scariff and it was another win for the Cork side. The final score was 16-0, which sees Mitchelstown wrestle top spot back from a Tralee side that lost their clash with Waterford.

Mitchelstown have a league weekend off next Sunday before getting back into action in a table toppers clash with Tralee the following weekend – and that one may go a long way to deciding who wins promotion come season’s end.

IN the J2, Muskerry are beginning to fire on all cylinders with their third win of the campaign - this time it was Castleisland that felt the full force of the men in blues’ talents.

Home advantage was always likely to play a part here however Castleisland wouldn’t have expected to feel the full force of fortress Ballyanly in the way they did. 43-5 was the final score here as the mid Cork men breezed to fourth in the table, not bad after an indifferent start to the season.

Philip O’Callaghan, Joe Treacy, Sean O’Riordan, Lewis Grice, Cathal Dennehy and Mark Jones all touched down for the home side with Jonathan Buckley adding five conversions and a single penalty.

The visitors managed to cross the Muskerry try line once thanks to Kieran Downey but on the day they were outclassed by a side that really are finding their rhythm.

A trip to Old Christians is on the cards next week for Muskerry and while the home side currently sit 11thin the table they have shown themselves to be a difficult proposition at home.

FERMOY are another side that are doing really well this season after a slow start. Fifth in the table after last Sunday’s away win at Thurles is a very credible performance from a side that have shown they are more than capable at this grade. The final score was 14-11 with a James McCarthy try and three Dylan Lacey penalties sealing the deal for the north Cork side.

A try from Dylan O’Shaughnessy and two John Lillis penalties made a real game of this but on the day Fermoy deserved the spoils.

A north Cork derby against Charleville is on the cards this weekend and with both sides doing really well it really is hard to call this one. If Charleville win they will go level with Fermoy on points however if they lose they will be staring a relegation battle straight in the face.

LAST but by no means least is the team of the season so far, Mallow. The J2 side have been plugging away for a number of years in the J2 without ever mounting anything like a genuine title challenge however that is all now firmly in the past as the boys from St Joseph’s Road plough their way through the league with some style.

Mallow came into last week’s game with Cobh Pirates after banking four bonus point wins on the bounce and last Sunday they made that five with yet another massively impressive win by 35-5.

Cobh were physical up front and really went at the home side in the early stages but Mallow settled with David Breen kicking an early penalty. Cobh responded quickly with a try from Calvin McKeown on 20 minutes however Mallow scrum-half Ronan McCarthy organised the home side and box kicked with pin-point accuracy setting up Mallow’s first try.

McCarthy swept a pass out to Mike Sweeney who ran a searing line through the heart of the Cobh defence to race past the covering tacklers and dot down under the posts. Mallow went into half time with a 10-5 lead.

In the second half, Mallow demonstrated a steely determination and attacked Cobh right from the off. Playing with the elements, Mallow put themselves in excellent field positions and kept Cobh pinned inside their own 22m line. This pressure was telling as Jimmy Glynn scored Mallow’s second try.

Excellent carries from forwards Hannon, Keena and Fitzgerald ensured Mallow continued to get front foot ball and positive gain line success. Brian Henry was next to get over the line

Brimming with confidence at this stage of the game, Mallow went in search of their bonus point try and it wasn’t long coming. when Owen Glynn bulldozed over bringing with him two Pirates defenders.

Brian Henry rounded off the scoring with an excellent team try to keep Mallow firmly top of the J2 table.

Next up is Ballincollig away and Mallow will look to solidify their position as the best team in the grade before a titanic clash against Clonakilty the following weekend.

FIXTURES

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 25 (all games are at 2.30pm)

Munster J-League Division 1

Waterpark v Kanturk Munster J-League Division 2

Old Christians v Muskerry Fermoy v Charleville Ballincollig v Mallow