Heartbreak for Academy in UL final
CUP action again dominated proceedings on the Munster club rugby front last weekend as a host of the top junior sides taking to the field in the Munster Junior Cup.
This is, by a long way, one of the most prestigious junior rugby competitions in the land with clubs from all over the province vying for a chance to get their hands on this coveted trophy. Little doubt that the toughest test of the weekend from a local standpoint was the clash between Muskerry and Highfield at Ballyanly.
Muskerry may have come into this one with home advantage, something that has served them well in the past, however facing up to the holders and competition favourites was never likely to be an easy task and unfortunately for the mid-Cork club that is exactly how it panned out: Highfield winning by 29 -8.
Highfield were in devastating form bagging tries from George French, Dave Harrington, Dan O’Sullivan, Seán Quaid and Colin Lougheed. The boot of Paddy O’Toole added a brace of penalties as Highfield set up a mouth-watering clash with Cork Constitution in round four.
This was the pairing that contested the final less than 12 months ago and is sure to again attract a big crowd again this time round. For Muskerry, Brian McCarthy was their try scorer with a penalty from Robert Cahill rounding off their tough day at the office.
J2 side Kanturk also took to the field looking for some cup glory last weekend but, like Muskerry, they too came out on the wrong side of the contest, albeit by the first try scored rule – after the north Cork side and Cashel finished 13 points apiece at the conclusion of extra time.
Kanturk were first off-the-mark with a Paul O’Keeffe penalty but it was a try from Michael Kelly that would ultimately decide this one soon after that put Cashel in the driving seat. Éamonn Kelly converted for the Tipp side, but Kanturk, unsurprisingly pushed back with a Bill Gorman try that was converted by O’Keeffe sending the game into extra-time.
Kanturk looked to have won this one with a Conor Cremin penalty, but as this one ground to a finish Cashel won a penalty and Connolly made no mistake to level the tie and advance by Kelly’s five pointer. The loss was hard on a valiant Kanturk side, but the small matter of a J2 promotion battle will focus the minds sooner rather than later.
Fermoy also found Round 3 a bridge too far last weekend as they came unstuck to a Thurles side that now go on to play Cashel in the last 16. The boot of Jack Flanagan did most of the damage to Fermoy’s chances of progression with four penalties and a conversion while tries from Paddy McGrath and Nicky Irwin sealed the deal.
Fermoy didn’t go down without a fight with a try from Ian Hutchinson the high point of their day. Eddie O’Connell kicked two penalties for the vanquished side but in truth this one was always going the way of the Tipp men.
There were two North Cork sides that made the winning circle last Sunday with both Charleville and Mallow advancing to the next round.
First up was Charleville who entertained Ennis for this all or nothing clash. The home side came into this one in really good form and continued their impressive streak with a 25-6 win over the Clare side.
Tries from Dave Moloney, Jack Buckley and Ed Moore set the Cork lads on their way to the spoils with Jesse Smith adding three penalties and two conversions. The win was no less than Charleville deserved and they continue to impress what has been an impressive campaign to this point.
The win means that Charleville will have home advantage to Abbeyfeale in the next round which takes place in early March.
Last, but by no means least in the weekend just gone, was the clash between Mallow and Bruff, also in the cup, with the latter holding home court advantage for what promised to be a tough test for the visiting Cork side.
Mallow came into this fixture on the back of two weeks off from competitive rugby with a young Bruff side looking to put a halt to what has been a very good season for the men in green.
Mallow got into their stride early and after 15 minutes were ahead with a brilliantly worked try that was finished superbly by Owen Glynn. Dave Breen added the extras and Mallow were off and running.
Brian Cahill hit back for the home side with a penalty, but Mallow,
led by the talents of Gonzalo Perez and Seán Hannon pushed hard for the Bruff line, crossing again before the interval to lead by 14-3.
This time it was the power of Sean Glynn that made the difference. Again Breen converted.
The second period saw a renewed effort from Bruff and they were rewarded for their efforts with a try from Eric Flynn, but a Breen penalty sent the visitors into a two score lead of 17-8. Mallow put this one to bed soon after when winger Eoghan Barry touched down sending Mallow through (22-8) to what will be another big test in the last 16, at home to Kilfeacle.
Away from the world of Munster Junior rugby there was heartbreak for Mallow’s Patrician Academy senior rugby side who lost out to St Joseph’s Nenagh CBS in the cruellest of fashions in the O’Brien Cup Final. Both sides gave it everything for the duration and finished on 28 points apiece however Nenagh progress on the first try scored rule.
The Patrician Academy travelled to UL’s 4G pitches on Thursday last to face St Joseph’s CBS, Nenagh in the Under 19 competition after the north Cork school overcame Schull Community College in the first round, Castleisland CBS in the quarter-final and Scoil Mhuire gan Smal, of Blarney in the semi-final.
Nenagh were first to draw blood after 8 minutes. A hint of a gap in the Academy’s defence was exploited and they dotted down in the corner for the score that would ultimately decide this fixture.
The Academy hit back with a try from outside centre Ryan Clifford, who raced onto an error and sprinted through for a converted try under the posts. Nenagh capitalised on some poor play from the Mallow school for their second try to go seven points adrift again. With the interval looming Mallow’s Adam Savage powered over the try line from close range with a conversion from Sam Glynn sending the sides in at the turn leve.. 14-14.
Mallow’s pack, including Cian McIntosh, Tom Mohally, Cian O’Connell, Gavin Sheehan and the bustling Jack Hourigan were on fire after the break, dominating the set-piece, but it was still Nenagh that went into a 21-14 lead ten minutes into the second half. To their credit Mallow again hit back with Ryan Clifford touching down under the posts.
Superb defensive shifts from the likes of Jordan Olusaodunbaku, Brian Cotter and the ever-reliable Kevin O’Mahoney helped keep Mallow in the game and they were rewarded 10 minutes before the finish with a try from the ever-willing David Cogan.
Nenagh were not to be denied however and a good try, followed by a brilliant conversion saw the game tied for the fourth and final time in what was a brilliant advertisement for school’s rugby.
It was a cruel way for the Mallow school to finish their outstanding campaign but all can take solace from the fact that this was the first time The Patrician Academy had a team in this prestigious competition in 10 years.
The Academy continues to excel on the sporting fields of Munster.
FIXTURES
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9
2.30pm
Munster Junior League Division 1
Richmond v Mallow
Munster Junior League Division 2
Charleville v Cobh
Fermoy v Kanturk Muskerry v Dungarvan Mitchelstown v Scarriff