The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Killorglin RFC fly the flag for Kingdom with victory
IT may only be week two of Munster Junior Rugby but already those sides that would be fancied to make a push in their respective leagues are beginning to show their metal.
Clonmel look like one of the side’s to beat in the J1 while in the second tier Youghal have got off to a good start. The J3 saw its first series of games last weekend so it will take a little more time to establish who will be the side to beat in that one.
Newly promoted Abbeyfeale look like they are settled in nicely in the J1 with a solid 13 – 8 victory over Clonakilty. This was never likely to be a scoring fest however the quality on show from both sides meant that it was always going to be a tight one.
The West Limerick side struggled with their Cork opponents in the first half – conceding a try to Eoin Deasy without ever troubling the scoreboard themselves.
The second half saw a more expansive and aggressive Abbeyfeale and the Limerick men were awarded for their adventurous nature with a deserved penalty try and a touchdown from Eoin McEnery. Steve Daly split the posts with a penalty for the victors who let Deasy in again late on to secure what may well be an important losing bonus point.
Abbeyfeale will make the trip to mid Cork next weekend where they will face up to Muskerry at Ballyanly. This will be another tough test for Abbeyfeale however if they are to harbour realistic aspirations of staying, or even challenging in this division they will need to take home something from these types of games.
Away from the top flight it was Tralee that headlined the show from a Kerry perspective. The Kingdom side entertained a Youghal team on Sunday that have genuine aspirations of breaking into the flight come season’s end.
Youghal came into this game as one of the few sides that racked up maximum points on the opening day and when they headed across the county bounds come day’s end, they were the only team in the division to have 10 points from two games.
This 32-13 away win over Tralee was impressive. Really impressive in fact. The visitors looked sharp, they looked focused and more importantly than all that they looked clinical. When they got insight of the posts or the line they made the most of it.
Youghal led by 12-3 at the turn thanks to an Anthony Frahill O’Connor try, the awarding of a penalty try and a Keith McCarthy conversion. Tralee stayed somewhat in touch thanks to a first half penalty from Darragh O’Neill however the first 40 belonged to the Cork side.
The gap between these two sides was even more apparent in the second period with McCarthy and Aaron Daly touching down – both converted by McCarthy, who also managed a brace of penalties at the business end of proceedings.
Jamie Lynch responded with Tralee’s first and only try however O’Neill added some cheer with a conversion and a penalty. Both scores however were to matter not a bit as the better side on the day took the spoils.
Tralee will entertain Mallow in the Kingdom next Sunday which will be a big game for both sides as neither have shown much so far this season.
Castleisland will be gutted after their 17-16 loss to Presentation last weekend. Castleisland looked to have the points in the bag before a last minute conversion from Craig Airey to a Ger Clancy try sent the spoils the Limerick side’s way. Stephen Ryan was the other try scorer for the victors with Airey again converting and also adding a penalty.
The visitors had tries from Willie Nolan and Mike Cronin with Willie Casey adding a brace of penalties however on this day they will need to be content with a losing bonus point.
A home tie with Ballincollig next Saturday night is what awaits Castleisland and they will be keen to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.
There was less joy for Corca Dhuibhne who went down 31-18 at Moneygourney to Douglas-Carrigaline. Alan Devine scored two tries for Corca with Seamus Moriarty adding two penalties and a conversion. Bantry Bay are next for the Kerry side.
Another bad result for Killarney finishes off the round-up as they lost out by 11-6 to Dungarvan last weekend. Killarney will need to get right back on the horse.
MUNSTER J-LEAGUE DIVISION 3 Killorglin 21 Fethard & District 14
KILLORGLIN RFC got their J3 season off to the best possible start last weekend when they saw off Fethard & District at the Kerry side’s home venue. It finished with a 21-14 for Killorglin and it was no more than the home side deserved as they shrugged off the summer cobwebs with some scintillating play and a clinical nature to their lay that will stand them in good stead if they can continue in the same vein throughout the season.
On a near perfect day for rugby, Killorglin took the lead early with a penalty from Luke O’Shea. The same player added to his side’s positive opening with a second successful kick to open up a six point advantage.
Brian Hayes went over five minutes before the break after some strong pressure from the home side on their opponents try line. Hayes’ major and the subsequent conversion from O’Shea meant that Killorglin deservedly led by 13 – 0 at the interval.
Strong words and some new tactics saw Fethard fight their way back into the game however they had to wait till the 58th minute for some reward which came in the guise of a penalty. Another penalty two minutes later cut the gap to a more manageable seven points, which was reduced further when the visitors landed their third effort at the posts.
George Evans eased any concerns soon after when he reacted first and powered over the try line to see his side lead by 18 – 9.
Fethard hit back with a try of their own minutes later to again cut the gap which went back down to four after the conversion.
Killorglin stood tall for the last five minutes and when O’Shea nailed his final kick Killorglin were home and dry. KILLORGLIN: Emmet O’Connor, Brian Hayes, Noel O’Malley, Timmy Lynch, Tony Lynch, Cian Foley, Rodi Healy, Michael Daly, Fionn O’Shea, Luke O’Shea, Liam Griffin, John Michael Cronin O’Reilly, George Evans, Cathal Doyle, Seamus Doyle. Subs: Craig Bainbridge for Noel O’Malley, Andrew O’Reilly for Rodi Healy.
FIXTURES
Sunday, October 9 at 2.30pm Munster Junior League Division 1 Muskerry v Abbeyfeale Munster Junior League Division 2 Tralee v Mallow Castleisland v Ballincollig Munster Junior League Division 3 Corca Dhuibhne v Bantry Bay Mitchelstown v Killorglin Munster Women’s Qualifying Division 1 Conference B Tralee v Dungarvan/Youghal at 1pm