The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Rugby clubs begin Munster Junior League action
IT’S back. The Munster Junior Rugby leagues are back in action after a long summer of rest, recuperation, analysis and soul searching by all concerned.
Kerry Rugby is not starting from a high base right now and has no side in the J1 after failing to get any side promoted from the J2 last season.
Local interest in the top flight of Junior Rugby lies with Abbeyfeale who were very impressive in 2015/2016 garnering a well-deserved promotion at the end of the last campaign.
Abbeyfeale were terrific last season and were in the promotion places right from the first to the final whistle. This season it will obviously be a big step up for the West Limerick side however if last season is anything to go by then they should be well able for many if the challenges ahead.
Last Sunday it was an away trip to take on Kilfeacle and District that faced the Treaty side and unfortunately for the newly promoted side this one went the way of the home side on a score line of 16-7.
The visitors huffed and puffed all day but found the pace and power of their opponents too hot to handle on the day. That being said, Abbeyfeale were awarded a penalty try later in the game which was successfully slotted over the bar by Tom Hassett.
It was all too little too late for Abbeyfeale as Kilfeacle dominated the majority of the fixture – bagging a try from Brian McLoughlin and a conversion and two penalties by Shane Looby in the opening half.
Looby added a second half penalty to give them a 16 point lead before Abbeyfeale’s late but ultimately unsuccessful late surge.
Next sunday afternoon Abbeyfeale will entertain Clonakilty at the Limerick side’s home venue. This will be a good test of what Abbeyfeale can bring to the table in front of their loyal home support.
In the J2, Castleisland welcomed Waterpark to the Kingdom with hopes of getting their season off to a good start. Castleisland have struggled to mount a title challenge in the last number of years when they looked in a good place to gain promotion. This season will provide another good opportunity however last Sunday’s loss to Waterpark won’t help their cause.
Losing 28-10 to the visitors is a poor return for the effort put into this one.
Paddy Pierce notched up a brace of tries for the victors with David O’Donoghue and Emmett O’Shea also touching down for the winners. James Pierce added to the Kerry side’s pain with one conversion and two penalties.
Castleisland did show some attacking threat and were rewarded when Sean Nolan touched down. Willie Casey kicked a conversion and one penalty but it was never likely to be enough to get anything from this game.
A trip to Limerick to take on Presentation is next on the cards for a Castleisland side that really do need to get their challenge back on a positive footing.
Tralee made the long trip to Waterford to take on the Deise men in their own back yard. This would be another tough day at the office for Tralee who did manage to rack up 22 points but at the other end shipped an unacceptable 36.
A brace of tries from Simon O’Hara as well as tries from Cian Foskin, Jack O’Neill and Aidan Power set Waterford City on their way while also being awarded a penalty try after Tralee infringed in front of their own line. Michael Hayes rounded off the pain for the visitors with three conversions.
On another day Tralee’s two tries from Darragh O’Neill and one from each Simon Behan and Kevin O’Shea would have been enough to secure some points but unfortunately for the Kerry men, last Sunday wasn’t one.
Youghal will visit Tralee next weekend looking to inflict another defeat on the home side however Tralee will be keen to make the Cork side’s afternoon long and troublesome.
In the J3, Killorglin, Killarney and Corca Dhuibhne all get their respective campaigns off and running this weekend with the latter making the trip to Cork to take on Douglas-Carrigaline, while Killorglin entertain Fethard and District and Killarney hit the road to play Dungarvan in Waterford.
This is a very important season for all three sides as all will be targeting a return to the J2. All three sides should be well capable of garnering one of the two promotion spots however three into two doesn’t go so at least one Kerry side will end up disappointed come season’s end.
Tralee women ran riot over Bandon last weekend in the Women’s Qualifying League Conference B clash. Tralee made the trip to take on the Coork side and ran in 50 points while holding their hosts to no score.