Castleisland beat Mallow but weather affects Division 3 promotion play-offs

IT will be no surprise to anyone with more than a passing interest in the weather forecast that last weekend’s Munster Junior Rugby suffered heavily from the incessant end of week rain as pitches all over the province failed late inspections.

Kerry’s Junior rugby clubs have had a mixed bag of results this year with some clubs that may have expected to be at the business end of the their respective leagues ultimately battling at the wrong end of their tables.

Corca Dhuibhne, Killorglin and Killarney were all down to play last weekend but all three saw their respective clashes cancelled due to the weather which left just Castleisland, Abbeyfeale and Tralee heading into action over the course of the weekend.

Munster J-League Division 2

CASTLEISLAND took the field last weekend looking to secure their status as a mid-table side.

The Kerry side entertained north Cork side Mallow on Saturday night in the knowledge that a win would see them safe – and credit to Castleisland they didn’t dis- appoint, seeing off an improving Mallow by 26-7.

Tries from Kieran Downey, Mikey Cronin, William Casey and Colm Stack sealed the deal here for the home side with Brian Leonard kicked three conversions. Castleisland will again play in the J2 next season and will be looking to battle at the other end of the J2 table this time next year.

Castleisland now take on Nenagh Ormonde in the Munster Junior Plate next weekend looking to keep their positive form alive. TRALEE secured safety a couple of weeks ago so the pressure of a last day relegation fight are long gone, but that didn’t mean that the Kerry side had nothing to play for as they went into their game with promotion chasing Thurles looking to reach as high up the table as they could before season’s end.

Thurles were never likely to be an easy proposition and unfortunately for the Kingdom club the Tipp side deservedly pushed clear here. 12-3 in favour of the home side is how this one ended with Gerry McCormack and Luke Kelly touching down for Thurles with Aidan O’Dwyer adding a conversion.

Tralee had just one moment of cheer with Ben O’Neill’s penalty for the visitors.

Munster J-League Division 1

ABBEYFEALE lost out to Clonmel in the J1 by 21-5. The West Limerick side have been safe in their J1 status for quite a while now however a clash with Munster Junior Rugby’s top side was a step too far for a side that have impressed many this season.

Tries from Alex Sheehan and Ronan Crosse (two) did the major damage here for the victors with Conor Cooney converting all three.

Abbeyfeale were not here to make up the numbers and had a try from Pat Brislane but that was to be as good as it would get for the Limerick men as they stay mid table with one game to go.

J-League Division 3 play-offs

NEXT weekend sees Killarney and Killorglin take on Douglas-Carrigaline and Bantry Bay respectively in the J3 promotion play-off quarter-finals which were postponed last Sunday.

Killarney welcome Douglas-Carrigaline to Aghado. Killarney had a poor start to the 2016/2017 campaign however recently this club have been on the up with promotion well and truly in their own hands. Killarney will be a tough proposition this weekend however they will need to push on if they are to get the win here.

Killorglin also head into the promotion playoff action this weekend as they open their doors to Bantry Bay. Killorglin need to bounce back from recent results after going all the way to the last game of the season undefeated before a loss to neighbours Killarney saw Mitchelstown take the promotion ahead of them.

Bantry will be tough to beat but Killorglin have the weapons to take this one and progress to the semi finals.

FIXTURES

SATURDAY MARCH 12 Munster J-League Division 3 League Play-offs Killarney v Douglas-Carrigaline, 2pm Killorglin v Bantry Bay, 2pm Munster Junior Plate Nenagh Ormonde v Castleisland, 2.30pm ALL-IRELAND SCHOOLS LEAGUE U-16 ‘A’ GIRLS FINAL

Presentation Castleisland 48 Scoil Chriost Rí Portlaoise 41

PRESENTATION, Castleisland are the latest All-Ireland basketball champions from Kerry after they romped to a 48-41 victory over Scoil Chriost Ri, Portlaoise in the Schools League U-16 A Final last week.

MVP Kayla O’Connor was the star of the show, scoring 14 points and winning a number of offensive and defensive rebounds. Portlaoise led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter and still led by two, 19-17, at half time.

Castleisland reversed the trend to lead by two going into the final quarter against the reigning Cup champions and the Kerry girls extended their lead to claim the title by seven points. CASTLEISLAND: Marilyn Cahill, Kayla O’Connor (14), Gemma Kearney (12), Emma O’Regan (4), Orla O’Sullivan, Millie Luck (2), Joyce O’Connor (6), Brid Moriarty (8), Grainne Walsh, Aine Sheehan (2).