Wins for Mallow, Kanturk and Charleville

ANOTHER big weekend for the local clubs in the Munster Junior Leagues with Mallow, Kanturk, Charleville, Mitchelstown and Fermoy all taking to the field last Sunday afternoon. On a bitterly cold, but ultimately perfect day for winter club rugby, the North Cork sides all put in very credible showings with Mallow, Kanturk and Charleville all recording impressive wins but Fermoy and Mitchelstown had to settle for losses.

Munster J-League Division 1

MALLOW are the side representing the area in League One and the boys from the banks of the Blackwater have been doing really well to this point – battling back from a dodgy spell that saw them lose three on the bounce in recent weeks.

Mallow got back to winning ways the Sunday before last and came into their home tie with Galbally looking to stay on the winning track which has seen them challenge right at the business end of the J1 table.

Despite the cold, the dry conditions allowed for an expansive game with Galbally drawing first blood with an early 3-pointer from

Pat Shanahan to settle them into the game.

Mallow were repeatedly penalised during the opening quarter but eventually managed to get to grips with the game and after 15 minutes got their reward when Dan McCarthy powering over for his second try of the season. Mallow suffered a blow soon after when Ken Mills was forced to head for an early shower after sustaining an injury however the home side kept up the pressure and Sean Glynn charged over from close range to put Mallow up 11 ( Jimmy Glynn was successful with both conversion attempts). The half-time score was 14-3.

Mallow went in search of the bonus point win in the second but first had to deal with the visitors cutting the gap to eight with a penalty from John Kearns.

Mallow’s powerful front row of Chris O’Regan, Gonzalo Perez and Timmy Fitzgerald turned Galbally inside out and the home side were awarded a penalty try with a half an hour to play. Moments later, Sam Cronin cantered in unopposed as the Limerick side struggled in defence.

With the bonus point secured, Mallow emptied the bench and to great effect. Jason Sheehan, Brian Ward, Hugh Keena all added to the cause and as a result Mike Lenihan crossed the whitewash for

Mallow’s fifth and final try.

So, a good day at the office for Mallow who stay third in the table, one point behind Newcastle West and just five behind league leaders Kilfeacle.

Mallow will again have home advantage next weekend when they take on a Waterpark side currently sitting 11th of 14 in the table.

Mallow will look to end off their 2019 year with a bang this Saturday afternoon with a big crowd assured to roar on what has been one of the teams of the 2019 calendar year.

Munster J-League Division 2

ONE flight down in the J2, Fermoy had the not insignificant task of trying to halt an Old Christian’s juggernaut that has won all their games this season.

Fermoy held home advantage for this one and managed to bag 15 points during what was an incredibly difficult shift however Christians were in top form and racked up what has to be considered a massive 52 points – crossing the Fermoy try line on eight occasions.

The league leaders were in control by the break 19-3 and powered on to easily take the spoils in an equally dominant second 40.

Jimmy Ahern, Eddie Delahunt, Craig O’Connell, Rohan Kiely,

Chris O’Donnell, Niall McCarthy, Rob Stapleton and Shane Barry all crossed the Fermoy whitewash with the boot of John Marnell adding six conversions.

Fermoy did manage to rack up something of a score themselves with Eddie O’Connell and Dan O’Brien touching down. O’Connell converted one with the first half penalty all that Fermoy could muster.

Fermoy hit the road next Sunday to take on fellow Cork side Cobh Pirates. Fermoy sit eight of 14 while Cobh are struggling five spots back in 13th. This is a big game for both sides with the visitors needing the spoils if they are to stay anywhere near the promotion race.

Munster J-League Division 1

KANTURK were impressive in their dismissal of Cobh Pirates last Sunday by 40-14 - a win that sees the Duhallow side rise up to fourth in the table.

Two tries from Mike Twohig as well as five pointers from Matt Colee, Tadhg McSweeney, Kieran Sexton and CJ O’Sullivan saw Kanturk take the bonus point win over a Cobh side that just didn’t have the answers.

Paul O’Keeffe added five conversions to round off what was a great day for the men in green.

Cobh showed they have fight in their bellies with tries from Calvin McKeown and Alex Mulligan but this one was all about the victors as they stay well in the hunt for an automatic promotion place.

Kanturk will head south next weekend to take on a Ballincollig side fluttering with the relegation zone. Kanturk will need to win this one well if they are to stay in the promotion race.

Muskerry’s game with Tralee failed to make it to post, which meant that the last local side in the J2 to play was Charleville, and the boys from the Limerick border town put in a hugely impressive display against Fethard & District.

The final score wasd 31-0 and Charleville were worth every point of that bonus point win. Tries from Luke Morrissey, Sean O’Connell and Jack Buckley did the main damage with a penalty try helping to secure the bonus point win. Jess Smith added to the vanquished side’s painful afternoon kicking three conversions and one penalty.

The win sees Charleville up to fifth, just one point off third and only one good result behind second.

Next weekend we will get to see if Charleville have what it takes to be genuine promotion contenders when the go away to second placed Dungarvan in round eight.

Big test for the men in red but a test they may well rise to on this occasion.

Munster J-League Division 3

IN the J3, Mitchelstown took on Ennis last weekend looking to enhance their chances of impressing in the third division however the cork side found the Banner men in no mood to give them favour as Ennis deservedly took the spoils by 25-8.

Cian Guilfoyle scored a brace of tries for the home side with Dave O’Flynn and David O’Callaghan also crossing the whitewash.

For Mitchelstown, Josh Evans was the try scorer with Chris Noonan adding a penalty. Next up for Mitchelstown is a home tie with Dunmanway, a side that currently sit two spots back in seventh.

FIXTURES

Saturday, December 7 Munster Junior League Division 1

Mallow v Waterpark, 2.30pm

Saturday, December 8, 2.30 pm Munster Junior League Division 2

Ballincollig v Kanturk

Cobh v Fermoy

Muskerry v St Marys Dungarvan v Charleville

Munster Junior League Division 3

Mitchelstown v Dunmanway