Abbeyfeale pick up two bonus points despite loss in Skibb

NOT for the first time this season the goings-on outside of junior rugby lead the local rugby news round-up. After the loss of Anthony Foley a few weeks ago and all the emotion that was generated around that time it would have been reasonable to expect that the provincial and international sides would go something of a slump however the spirit of the great man seems to be rampant around Irish Rugby right now as last Saturday night in the most unlikely of places something amazing happened.

Ireland’s win over the All Blacks, for the first time in 111 years was truly inspiring and if the Irish response to the Haka was anything to go by it seems that the spirit of the former Munster number eight was channelled up through that holiest of holy sporting ground that is Soldier Field. While any win against a side like the All Blacks would be greatly received what made this one even more special is the way it was done and who it was done against. This was a New Zealand side that were going for 19 wins on the bounce, imagine that. Not a run of the mill second string side. Ireland were magnificent, Munster’s Conor Murray was spectacular and Irish to the core CJ Stander is now officially welcome in every Irish watering hole on this great island for the rest of his days.

What was achieved in Chicago last Saturday will go into the history books, along with Munster’s win over the All Blacks, Ireland finally taking the Grand Slam in Cardiff after more than six decades of trying and the emotion that surrounded Foley’s passing just a few weeks ago.

Irish rugby can now honestly call itself what it is, a force on the global stage, and that title, along with the stature that goes with it, means that rugby playing kids in this country have something greater to look up to, something more impressive to strive for, something more achievable to believe in – and that will surely benefit the game as a whole in Ireland.

The heroics on the field in America may be inspiring to Kerry’s rugby kids but the effect of a win like that on the adults shouldn’t be understated either. Kerry teams, like sides all over the country went into action last weekend with the sun on their backs and a spring in their step, a spring that hasn’t been seen in many years and that was clearly evident on the pitches around the province.

In the J1, Abbeyfeale were involved in the game of the week away to Skibbereen but unfortunately for the West Limerick side they came up just short, 26-27. Abbeyfeale did secure the unlikely tally of two points, one losing bonus point and one four try bonus.

Tries from Tom Hassett, John Murphy and a brace from Michael Roche meant that this day was far from a poor showing. Hassett also hit three of four conversions.

In the J2 Waterpark are the new league leaders after a comprehensive dismissal of Tralee on the Kerry side’s home turf. 51-10 was the final score line in this one. Michael Maher bagged Tralee’s only try with Jack Quilter adding a conversion while Darragh O’Neill rounded off the home sides tally with a penalty but unfortunately for Tralee, this one was all about Waterpark. Tralee will need to get a win soon or they run the risk of being cut loose at the bottom of the second division.

Charleville came up short last weekend in their clash with a Castleisland side that look to be getting to grips with this season’s championship. The Kerry side won this one thanks to two superb second half drop goals from Willie Casey and Dan O’Shea. Charleville led this one at the break by 3-0 thanks to a penalty from Michael O’Flynn however it proved to be the Cork side’s only score on a good day for the Kerry men.

Killorglin have shown that they are well up for the challenge of J3 rugby as they reclaimed the top spot of the bottom tier. The top of the table clash with Fermoy was always likely to be a close run thing however a one point winning margin was even closer than most pundits would have predicted.

Emmett Sweeney touched down for the vanquished side with a Dylan Lacey penalty sending Fermoy in at the break up by 8-3 at the turn. Luke O’Shea smashed one penalty in the first half and two in the second period gave the Kerry side the spoils of victory.

Killarney fought hard in their clash with Mitchelstown in the J3 but lost out to Mitchelstown by 25-19. Tries from David Sheehan, Fionn Herlihy and John Evans set the victors up for the win with Patrick McGee’s two penalties and a brace of conversions securing the spoils.

Killarney’s Ger Moynihan went in for the Kerry side and Paudie Sheehan banged over one conversion and four penalties but it just wasn’t to be enough. Killarney did manage to secure a losing bonus point which may come in handy later in the season.

Corca Dhuibhne ran riot over Dungarvan by 55-20. Ciaran Collins was the star of the show with four tries for Corca. Eanna O’Connor also touched down for a brace with Shane Griffin and Seamus Murphy each getting one - Griffin was imperious with the boot adding a half dozen conversions and one penalty.

In the Under-18 Conference Killorglin saw off neighbours Corca Dhuibhne by 35-10 while in the U16 Conference there were wins for Tralee and Castleisland who saw off opposition from Killarney and Listowel respectively.

Finally, in the Girls Under-18 League Abbeyfeale came up short to Bantry Bay by 36-5.