RUGBY ROUND-UP J-League wins for Tralee, Killorglin and Killarney

MUNSTER JUNIOR J3 LEAGUE

Tralee 65 Douglas/Carrigaline 17

TRALEE made it two wins out of two in the Munster J3 Junior league when they easily brushed aside the challenge of a poor Douglas/Carrigaline outfit at O’Dowd Park last Sunday.

The home side dominated the contest from the start and had too much power in their very workmanlike pack for the Cork visitors. The fleet footed Tralee backs took full advantage of their forwards superiority and proceeded to run in 10 tries to give the supporters full value for their entrance fee.

Eoin O’Connell started the ball rolling when he scored the first try in the fourth minute of the game after he fly kicked through and touched down following a Douglas/Carrigaline turnover. With Tralee dominating the early scrums it was Jack Quilter’s turn to touch down next when Ben O’Neill made a great break and fed him for the try. O’Neill was unerring with his conversion.

Tralee lost No.8 Dan O’Connor to a knee injury soon afterwards, but it mattered little as they were in complete control of the game. O’Neill kicked a good penalty to push them 15-0 ahead, but a lapse in concentration soon afterwards saw Mark Healy touch down in the corner for the visitors, after a quick tap penalty was allowed develop across the field.

The home side didn’t let this set back deter them, and a flowing move involving Ben O’Neill, Gavin Peevers and Fearghal O Nuanain eventually led to the powerful Mike Stack touching down. Mark Moloney was playing great stuff for Tralee and right on the stroke of half time the bonus point was secured after the home side drove off a line out and Micheal Maher scored. With O’Neill again converting, Tralee took a 29-5 lead in at the break.

The try of the game came in the eighth minute of the second half when Jack Quilter intercepted a Douglas/Carrigaline pass inside his own 22 and showed admirable pace to run the length of the field for his side’s fifth try.

Try number six came soon afterwards from Martin Stack after another good forward drive. Tralee were totally dominant at this stage and with Quilter directing operations Eoin O’Carroll touched down under the posts.

Understandably, the victors began to take their foot off the pedal and another lapse in defence saw Douglas/Carrigaline’s David Donoghue go over for a very soft try. Stung by a few harsh words, Tralee marched down the field and Mark Moloney went over for the score that his performance deserved, after excellent work from Jamesie O’Sullivan.

There was still time for more and after Douglas/Carrigaline scored another consolation, Jack Murray and Eoin O’Carroll scored Tralee’s ninth and 10th tries to cap an excellent outing for the home side. Even with such a comprehensive victory, the Tralee management will look back on the three tries conceded, and will hope to cut out such sloppiness going forward.

Scarrif 13 Killorglin 22

KILLORGLIN bounced back from their first round defeat to Dungarvan by recording a nine-point win away to Scarrif last Sunday. The mid Kerry side were thankful to Mike O’Connor early on for preventing what looked like a certain try and got off the mark themselves in the 29th minute when Luke O’Shea slotted over a penalty. O’Shea was in great form from the boot and added three more penalties before the break to give his side a comfortable 12-0 lead.

It was a different story in the early part of the second half. Scarrif scored an early penalty and a Killorglin player saw a yellow card and the sin bin. Scarrif made full use of their numerical advantage and scored a converted try to bring the deficit back to twopoints. In fairness to Killorglin they rallied well and Andrew O’Reilly scored a good try after intensive pressure from the pack.

Scariff reduced the arrears once more with a penalty,but Killorglin were not to be denied and finished the game in style. Timmy Lynch made a superb block, and after Tommy Moriarty broke the tackle, Lynch followed up off his shoulder to score in the corner.

Dunmanway 13 Killarney 24

A BRILLIANT win on the road for Killarney. The visitors started well and led 3-0 thanks to the boot of Oisin O’Shea. Killarney’s first try followed shortly afterwards with Mike Sheehan touching down and Oisin O’Shea added the extras.

Dunmanway replied with a penalty and a converted try to leave the half time score tied at 10-10. Killarney had the breeze at their backs in the second half and put serious pressure on the Dunmanway rearguard. Paudie Sheehan crossing the line for their second try to leave the score at 17-10 with O’Shea converting once more.

With minutes to go Dunmanway applied serious pressure to the Killarney line but resolute defending saw them clear their lines and score their third and final try with Ger Moynihan doing the damage. Oisin O’Shea maintained his 100% record from the tee to leave the final score 24-13 to Killarney.

Ennis 62 Corca Dhuibhne 10

CORCA Dhuibhne had a really tough day on the road as Ennis ran in nine tries against their very young side. There will be better days ahead for the west Kerry side. Liam Flannery scored their try whilst Seamus Moriarty added the conversion and a penalty.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13

(games at 11.30 unless stated)

Munster Junior Club Challenge Shield

2.00 Ballincollig v Castleisland

Martin O’Sullivan Cup

2.00 Tralee v Killorglin

Munster U-18 Club Conference 2

Castleisland v Abbeyfeale Kanturk/Charleville v Tralee Listowel v Killorglin/Killarney

Munster U16 Conference 2

Killorglin v Castleisland Listowel/Tralee v Killarney

West Munster U14 League

Corca Dhuibhne v Killarney (11am) Listowel v Killorglin (11am) Tralee v Abbeyfeale (11am)

Girls U18 Munster Conference A

Listowel v Kilrush (1pm)

Girls U16 Munster Conference B

Listowel/Tralee v Ballina/Kilaloe (11am)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 Womens Munster League Division 1

Tralee v Richmond at 1pm

Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Shield