Agonising defeat for Listowel/Tralee girls

West Munster U-14 League

Corca Dhuibhne v Killarney (11.00)

MUNSTER U-16 GIRLS CONFERENCE B

Abbeyfeale 32 Listowel/Tralee 31

LISTOWEL/TRALEE suffered a heart breaking one-point defeat after a classic encounter against second place Abbeyfeale last Saturday. The away side played some brilliant fast flowing rugby at times and with a little bit of luck may have snatched the victory. Ornaith Wall and Sadbh Morrisson scored 2 tries each while Emily O’Regan also went over the whitewash.

MUNSTER U-18 CONFERENCE 2

Kanturk/Charleville 24 Castleisland 32

CASTLEISLAND U-18s secured a valuable away victory when they travelled to play Kanturk/ Charleville in a game played in dry autumn-like weather last Sunday.

The visitors made their intentions known straight from the kick off when Jonathan Healy barged over for a try following a five-metre scrum with just eight minutes gone, with Joe Sheehy seamlessly slotting over the conversion.

Castleisland continued to dominate their opponents and Dean Bradley Cronin scored their second try after the ball broke kindly to him following scrum half Mark Hickey’s blockdown. Soon afterwards Jason Brosnan got in on the act when he scored after a good interception and Sheehy landed the conversion once more to push Castleisland 19-0 ahead.

Castleisland began to relax, and Kanturk/Charleville’s Paul O’Sullivan took advantage of their slackness to score a try on the stroke of half time to see Castleisland lead 19-5 ahead at the break.

Encouraged by their try, Kanturk/Charleville attacked once more at the start of the second half and O’Sullivan scored his second try of the game, which was converted, to leave just 7 points between the sides at 19-12. Castleisland were treading water, and when Jamie O’Leary scored another try for the home side their lead was brought back to a mere two points.

The turning point of the game came soon afterwards when Jonathan Healy made a great try saving tackle, and as the ball was quickly transferred up the field Darragh Brosnan scored a converted try to give Castleisland some daylight with the score at 26-17.Casleisland began to take control of proceedings once more and Kevin Lenihan burst over for their 5th try of the game. O’Sullivan went over for his third try of the game for Kanturk/Charleville but it was a mere consolation as Castleisland finished as less than comfortable 8 point winners.

Tralee 5 Newcastlewest/Estuary 27

TRALEE welcomed top of the table Newcastlewest/Estuary last weekend, and while the scoreline reflects the superiority that the visitors held, the home side played some good rugby at times in the contest. Sam Haugh was the Tralee try scorer.

MUNSTER U-16 CONFERENCE 2

Killarney 12 Castleisland 0

KILLARNEY started brightly and had the best of the opening exchanges. After a period of intense pressure the powerful Brendy O’Sullivan crashed through and scored a god try. Killarney spent the next 15 minutes trying to build on their lead, however great defence from the visitors kept them at bay. Killarney props Adam Cronin and Rob Nealon were very prominent in this period. Castleislands impressive line out and scrum eventually yielded territory and forced a penalty that went narrowly wide. Encouraged, they finished the half attacking however now the home defence showed its mettle and tackled bravely.

Killarney regrouped at halftime and again enjoyed territorial advantage. A powerful break from John McCarthy and support from Darren Cronin, sent Bailey O’Sullivan in for a try which was converted by Donnchadh Grealy. Castleisland should have been rewarded for their efforts shortly before the end but unluckily fumbled a certain touchdown.

WEST MUNSTER U14 LEAGUE

Killarney 22 Castleisland 0

KILLARNEY were full value for their win over a Castleisland side that are finding the going tough, but are learning with each encounter. Killarney scored tries through Pierce Slattery (3), and Josh Coffey while Finn Kennelly was very accurate from the boot.

The visitors can take solace from the fact that they have introduced a number of newcomers to the game of rugby, having had a squad of just 8 players when they started out in September.

Richmond 0 Tralee 50

TRALEE continued their relentless march to the Munster league title when beat Richmond with typical panache last Sunday.

Richmond have traditionally had the upper hand on the Tralee ladies, but the tide has definitely changed with the visitors touching down for 8 unanswered tries.

Noreen Murphy started the rout and Ashley Roche followed with two, one of which was converted by Laoise O’Driscoll. On the stroke of half time O’Driscoll scored a good try to see her side lead 22-0 at the break.

Tralee continued in the second half with tries from Anna Murphy, Christene Arthurs and Riona Kennedy (2), with O’Driscoll converting all four.